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2D animation is the most flexible and cost-effective way to explain almost anything. The 25 examples below are all our own work, spanning entertainment, healthcare, finance, government, and nonprofit clients. Use them to see how a single style can flex across very different messages.
What is 2D animation? It is animation created on a flat, two-dimensional plane, using characters, illustration, and motion rather than 3D models. It is fast to produce, easy to change, and works for explainers, ads, and social videos alike.
Every example below is a real project we produced, with the video and the client industry, so you can find the tone that fits your own message. 2D animation covers a wide range, from character-led stories to clean motion graphics. That range is why it suits almost any brand, budget, or subject.
2D is usually faster and more affordable, and it is ideal for explainers and character stories. 3D wins when you need realism, depth, or complex product detail. Most businesses start with 2D.
Explainers, where a clear story matters more than realism. Social and ads, where speed and personality win. Training and onboarding, where friendly visuals help. And nonprofit and public campaigns, where a human tone builds trust.
A quick side by side of every project, with its industry. Click a name in the list below to jump straight to its video.
| # | Client | Industry |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warner Brothers | Entertainment |
| 2 | YWCA | Nonprofit |
| 3 | Mental Health Commission of Canada | Healthcare and nonprofit |
| 4 | Dairy Farms of Canada | Farming and food |
| 5 | Pacbrake | Automotive |
| 6 | World Shipping Council | Shipping and environment |
| 7 | Tourism Burnaby | Tourism |
| 8 | BC Renal | Healthcare |
| 9 | Makers Making Change | Accessibility and nonprofit |
| 10 | Hometown Quotes | Insurance |
| 11 | ACS Security | Security |
| 12 | Silvacom | Forestry and geospatial tech |
| 13 | IISD | Energy and sustainability |
| 14 | Assurance Wilson | Finance and insurance |
| 15 | Family Caregiver | Healthcare |
| 16 | Kiley Law Group | Law |
| 17 | Lean BC | Government and process |
| 18 | Accounting Aid Society | Finance and nonprofit |
| 19 | Shared Storage | Real estate |
| 20 | Disability Rights Oregon | Legal and disability rights |
| 21 | IPGOBox | Logistics and shipping |
| 22 | HST Multiplan | Healthcare |
| 23 | Find Your Ally | Nonprofit |
| 24 | CLAS BC | Legal aid |
| 25 | VOITs | Environment |
Jump to an example: 1. Warner Brothers · 2. YWCA · 3. Mental Health Commission of Canada · 4. Dairy Farms of Canada · 5. Pacbrake · 6. World Shipping Council · 7. Tourism Burnaby · 8. BC Renal · 9. Makers Making Change · 10. Hometown Quotes · 11. ACS Security · 12. Silvacom · 13. IISD · 14. Assurance Wilson · 15. Family Caregiver · 16. Kiley Law Group · 17. Lean BC · 18. Accounting Aid Society · 19. Shared Storage · 20. Disability Rights Oregon · 21. IPGOBox · 22. HST Multiplan · 23. Find Your Ally · 24. CLAS BC · 25. VOITs
Warner Brothers came to us for a crisp 2D explainer. The video shows how clean character work and motion can carry a major entertainment brand. Category: Entertainment.
This YWCA explainer tackles online hate with a clear, human story. 2D animation keeps a heavy subject approachable and easy to share. Category: Nonprofit.
This piece explains a mental health initiative with warmth and restraint. Simple 2D characters make a sensitive topic easier to talk about. Category: Healthcare and nonprofit.
Dairy Farms of Canada wanted to show where food comes from. Friendly 2D animation turns a farming process into a story families can follow. Category: Farming and food.
Pacbrake makes heavy-duty vehicle components. 2D animation shows how the parts work without a single line of jargon. Category: Automotive.
The World Shipping Council needed to explain global shipping and its impact. Clear 2D visuals make a complex industry easy to grasp. Category: Shipping and environment.
Tourism Burnaby uses bright 2D animation to sell a destination. The style keeps the tone light and the message clear. Category: Tourism.
BC Renal explains kidney care to patients and families. Calm 2D animation makes medical guidance easier to absorb. Category: Healthcare.
Makers Making Change connects volunteers with people who need assistive devices. 2D animation makes the mission clear in under two minutes. Category: Accessibility and nonprofit.
Hometown Quotes helps people compare insurance. A simple 2D story turns a dry topic into something watchable. Category: Insurance.
ACS Security protects homes and businesses. 2D animation walks through the service without heavy technical detail. Category: Security.
Silvacom builds geospatial tools for land and forestry. 2D animation makes a technical product approachable for a wide audience. Category: Forestry and geospatial tech.
This IISD film makes the case for cleaner energy in Canada. 2D animation keeps a policy topic clear and engaging. Category: Energy and sustainability.
Wilson Insurance helps Canadian business owners grow wealth. A friendly 2D cartoon makes the advice feel simple. Category: Finance and insurance.
This overview supports family caregivers with clear guidance. Gentle 2D animation makes a demanding role feel more manageable. Category: Healthcare.
Kiley Law Group wanted an animated commercial with personality. 2D animation gives a law firm a warmer, more human face. Category: Law.
Lean BC explains a process-improvement method for public teams. Step-by-step 2D animation makes the framework easy to follow. Category: Government and process.
Accounting Aid Society offers free tax help to families. 2D animation explains who qualifies and how it works. Category: Finance and nonprofit.
This 30-second ad for Shared Storage gets to the point fast. Snappy 2D animation is built for social and paid placements. Category: Real estate.
Disability Rights Oregon protects the rights of people with disabilities. 2D animation makes its services clear and welcoming. Category: Legal and disability rights.
IPGOBox simplifies international shipping and forwarding. 2D animation shows the service flow at a glance. Category: Logistics and shipping.
HST Multiplan explains a health plan in plain terms. Clean 2D animation keeps the details easy to follow. Category: Healthcare.
Find Your Ally points people toward support when they need it. 2D animation carries a caring message clearly. Category: Nonprofit.
CLAS BC helps people access justice and legal support. Careful 2D animation guides viewers through a difficult process with clarity. Category: Legal aid.
VOITs explains an environmental monitoring effort. 2D animation makes the science approachable for the public. Category: Environment.
Decide what the video must do: explain, sell, train, or persuade. The goal sets the length, tone, and level of detail.
The script does most of the work in 2D. Keep it short, lead with the problem, and end with one clear action.
2D ranges from simple motion graphics to full character animation. Match the style to your brand and your budget.
A homepage explainer, a social ad, and a training video have different needs. Plan the length and framing for the channel.
2D animation is animation created on a flat, two-dimensional plane using illustration, characters, and motion. It is one of the most popular styles for explainers, ads, and social video.
2D animation works on a flat plane, while 3D builds objects in space and moves a camera around them. 2D is usually faster and cheaper, while 3D adds realism and depth.
Cost depends on length, script, and how much custom illustration and character work the video needs. A short motion-graphics piece costs less than a fully animated character story. Ask for a quote based on your script.
A typical 2D explainer takes a few weeks from script to final video. Timelines depend on length, revisions, and the level of custom design.
It is used for explainer videos, ads, social content, training, and public campaigns. It suits almost any subject because it is flexible and quick to change.
Neither is better on its own. 2D suits fast, flexible, and character-led work, while 3D suits realism and complex product detail. The right choice depends on your goal and budget.
The best 2D animation is the one that makes your message land. Across entertainment, healthcare, finance, and nonprofit work, the examples above show how one flexible style can carry very different stories. That range is why 2D is still the most popular way to explain an idea.
Related: 2D animation services and 3D animation examples.
Larry is the founder and Chief Storyteller at Creamy Animation, founded in 2009. He leads a team that creates story-driven videos for businesses and nonprofits. 15+ years in video strategy and production, specializing in SaaS, B2B, and nonprofit storytelling. A marketer, designer, and animator, Larry has overseen the production of more than 1,500 videos for Fujitsu, Logitech, Warner Brothers, NFL, Blockdaemon, Astronomer, Canonical, and 370+ others.
For Larry, God is first, and everything else is a blessing that comes from serving Him. When he’s not working, he’s hanging out with his wife and three kids, playing the piano, or pursuing his filmmaking side hustle.
