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| This blog outlines 12 essential motion graphics styles and types used in modern video creation. It covers formats like 2D and 3D animation, kinetic typography, infographic animation, UI/UX animation, isometric design, and mixed media. Each entry is explained with its visual traits, use cases, and when to apply it based on project goals |
Before we check out the various styles of motion graphics, have a look at the Best Motion Graphics Animation examples in our compilation here:
Motion graphics come in many styles—but not all are created equally. Whether you're building a brand, explaining a product, or elevating your content, knowing the different types of motion graphics helps you choose the right style for your message.
In this blog, we’ll explore the most popular motion graphics services that are offered by top studios — from 2D and 3D animation to typography animation, infographic animation, and beyond. These different animation styles aren’t just about aesthetics — they’re strategic tools that shape how audiences engage, remember, and act.
Motion graphics animation has quickly become a cornerstone of B2B video marketing. They’re an animation technique that uses graphics in an engaging way to communicate complex ideas, including but not limited to advertising.
For businesses looking to stand out, motion graphics explainer videos provide a perfect medium to distill complicated concepts into digestible, eye-catching content.
A motion Graphics video is basically graphic design in motion.
Let me break it down simply: Instead of static visuals, you blend animation with typography, shapes, icons and illustrations to communicate a message that’s clear and visually compelling. No actors needed. No fancy set is required. Just smart movement doing the storytelling.
But here’s where it gets interesting — style matters.
The motion graphics style you choose shapes how your message feels. Clean 2D animation feels professional and direct. Bold kinetic typography feels energetic and confident. Mixed media feels modern and layered. Each style carries a unique tone, even if the message stays the same.
And in marketing, tone is everything.
The right motion graphics style doesn’t just make the video look good, but it makes your message easier to understand, remember and trust. It guides attention through controlled pacing. It adds personality without distracting it from the core idea.
At the end of the day, motion graphics are all about intentional movement. And that intention is what turns a simple animation into a powerful communication tool.
Think about how quickly we scroll. Now think about what makes you stop. Movement.
Motion graphics give your brand that movement. In a digital space crowded with static posts, animated visuals pause the thumb and pull viewers in within seconds.
With the right messaging, they simplify complex ideas. Whether it's a SaaS platform, a financial service, or a healthcare process, motion graphics break dense information into clear, guided visual sequences. It’s also a great way to show intangible information in a way that’s easy to digest.
They also strengthen brand recall. Consistent colors, typography, and transitions build a recognizable visual identity that audiences begin to trust.
And from a business perspective, they're efficient. Motion graphics are flexible enough to repurpose across ads, landing pages, and presentations, without the logistics of live shoots.
In short, motion graphics don't just decorate your message, they structure it, amplify it, and make it memorable.
If you're ready to create your own motion graphics for business, there are plenty of motion design types and animation styles to choose from. Concepts often discussed in a UI/UX free course can also help you understand which visual styles communicate your message most clearly.
You can either partner with a studio that offers motion graphics services or start creating your own videos using motion graphics software free of cost. There are also numerous animation style guides and software tutorials online to help you get started.
In this blog, we'll explore 12 popular motion graphics animation styles, explain why they're effective, showcase notable real-world examples, and share creative animation ideas to help you produce your own videos.
Want to create a motion graphics explainer video for your business?
Broadcast2World is your go-to motion graphics studio that will help you bring your story to life.
Image Credit: Freepik
Why use this type of motion graphic:
Example: McAfee MVision
Cybersecurity is layered, technical, and often difficult to explain, especially to audiences who aren't experts. And when attention spans last only a few seconds, clarity becomes critical.
That's where 2D motion graphics step in. This video of McAfee MVision presents a sophisticated security solution in a way that feels clear, structured, and easy to grasp within seconds.
Industry: Cybersecurity / SaaS
Use Case: Product explainer / Software overview
Placement: Website landing pages, Marketing campaigns, Internal Training
Style & Narration: This video uses clean 2D motion graphics built around simple shapes, lines, and smooth curves to visualize complex systems. Icons, structured layouts, and controlled transitions guide the viewer step by step, accompanied by a professional voiceover. Instead of being overwhelmed with technical jargon, the visuals simplify abstract cybersecurity processes into clear, organized sequences.
Why It Works: The minimal 2D style removes distraction and focuses on clarity. By using simple visual elements to explain layered software functions, the video makes complex technology feel accessible and easy to understand.
Why use this type of motion graphic:
Example: Slack
Slack transformed the way teams communicate — simplifying workflows that once felt scattered and overwhelming. But explaining how that ecosystem actually works? That's a different challenge.
Fortunately, this cleverly-made 3D motion graphic video explains everything easily to the audience!
Industry: SaaS / Workplace communication
Use Case: Product explainer / Platform overview
Placement: Website homepage, Product pages, Digital campaigns
Style & Narration: The video uses 3D elements to visualize workflows, conversations, and integrations in a more spatial, layered way. Interfaces, panels, and icons move fluidly through space, creating depth that mirrors how teams interact within the platform. The motion feels smooth and intentional, guiding viewers through features without overwhelming them. A calm voiceover sets a steady pace, reinforcing clarity and ease.
Why It Works: The added dimension makes a digital product feel tangible. By visualizing workflow in space rather than flat screens, the video simplifies complexity while maintaining a modern, polished feel, perfectly aligned with Slack's promise of making work simpler and more connected.
Why use this type of motion graphic:
Example: Google BigQuery
Every story begins with a problem. And when brands clearly articulate their customers' challenges, trust begins to build.
In this video, Google BigQuery highlights the cost and complexity of managing hardware and large-scale data, and then introduces a smarter, cloud-based alternative. Instead of overwhelming viewers with technical jargon, the message unfolds visually.
Industry: Cloud Computing / Data Analytics
Use Case: Product explainer video / Enterprise solution positioning
Placement: Website landing pages, Sales presentations, Digital campaigns
Style & Narration: The video uses infographic motion graphics to visualize statistics, infrastructure costs, and performance comparisons. Clean charts, animated data points, icons, and structured layouts guide the narrative. Each transition builds on the previous insight, making the transformation from problem to solution easy to follow.
Why It Works: Data can feel overwhelming. But through structured motion graphics, it becomes clear and persuasive. By visualizing risks, costs, and benefits step by step, the video makes BigQuery's value feel logical and necessary.
Why use this type of motion graphic:
Example: Stake
Access to the US stock market has long been complex and expensive for traders outside the US — until Stake introduced instant, cost-free trading. For its launch, the brand needed a video that felt as fast and energetic as the market itself. Motion graphics options like kinetic typography allow brands to bring this energy to life, highlighting key messages, product features, and brand personality in a way that’s engaging.
Industry: FinTech / Finance
Use Case: Brand launch video / Product positioning
Placement: Social media ads, digital campaigns, event screens
Style & Narration: This video uses motion graphics typography as the main storytelling device. Bold, animated words snap, slide, and pulse to jazzy drum beats, mirroring the speed and intensity of the stock trading. There are no characters, only the typography carries the message.
Why It Works: The fast-paced text movement reflects Stake's promise of speed and simplicity. By letting typography lead the narrative, the video communicates value instantly, which is clear, confident, and impossible to ignore.
Why use this type of motion graphic:
Example: Ford
As part of its campaign message, "It's easy to get a Ford", the brand, Ford, used whiteboard animation to communicate simplicity in just seconds. The challenge was to deliver a clear message fast and make it stick.
Industry: Automotive
Use Case: Brand awareness ad / Promotional campaign
Placement: Social media ads, Digital campaigns
Style & Narration: The video uses clean whiteboard-style illustrations with hand-drawn visuals appearing in real time. Simple sketches, bold text, and quick transitions keep the pacing tight, along with a lively voiceover. Within just 15 seconds, the message is delivered clearly and directly, without overcomplicating the story.
Why It Works: Whiteboard animation strips communication down to its essentials. The simplicity reinforces Ford's promise of ease, making the message quick to understand and easy to remember.
Why use this type of motion graphic:
Example: Facebook Community Standards
Online spaces can quickly become chaotic. To reassure users, Facebook created this explainer to clearly communicate its Facebook community standards and commitment to safety.
Industry: Social Media / Technology
Use Case: Trust-building explainer / Policy communication
Placement: Website help center, Public awareness campaigns
Style & Narration: The video blends simple motion graphics with clear storytelling, Friendly illustrations, clear transitions, and calm narration guide viewers through policies without feeling heavy or corporate. The animation keeps the topic approachable while maintaining authority.
Why It Works: Policy communication can feel dry or intimidating. The explainer makes it human. By combining clarity with warmth, the video builds trust and reassures users at an emotional level, not just an informational one. Thus, this proves that explainer motion graphics are best for explainer videos from professional studios.
Why use this type of motion graphic:
Example: Zendesk
When Zendesk introduced its refreshed brand identity, it used logo animation to bring its new "Relationshapes" to life — visually showing how its products connect and work together.
Industry: SaaS / Customer Support
Use Case: Brand relaunch announcement / Brand Identity launch
Placement: Website, Social media, Digital campaigns
Style & Narration: The animation focuses on geometric shapes that move, merge, and transform seamlessly. Clean motion, smooth transitions, and minimal narration allow the visual identity to take center stage. Each movement reinforces the idea of connection and collaboration between products.
Why It Works: Instead of simply showing a new logo, the animation explains it. By turning static shapes into a living system, the video makes the brand identity memorable and meaningful, not just visually appealing.
Why use this type of motion graphic:
Example: Solea
A silent dental drill isn't exactly the most exciting product at first glance. But Solea used minimalist motion graphics to turn a highly technical innovation into something visually captivating animated explainer video.
Industry: Healthcare / Dental Technology
Use Case: Product explainer video / Innovation showcase
Style & Narration: The video relies on clean layouts, controlled color palettes, simple shapes, and smooth transitions. There's no unnecessary detail, just focused visuals that highlight precision, performance, and innovation. The restrained narration complements the minimal design, letting the product feel premium and advanced.
Why It Works: Minimalist builds credibility. By removing visual noise, the video keeps attention on the product's breakthrough technology, making it feel sophisticated, modern, and worth noticing.
Why use this type of motion graphic:
Example: HappyML Demo
Product demos can often feel static. HappyML uses UI/UX motion graphics to turn its interface walkthrough into an energetic visual experience.
Industry: SaaS / Technology
Use Case: Product demo / Feature showcase
Placement: Website landing pages, Product launches, Sales presentations
Style & Narration: The video highlights the interface in action with smooth transitions, micro-interactions, and dynamic pacing. Subtle motion and upbeat music add energy while keeping the focus on usability and design.
Why It Works: Instead of just showing screens, the animation simulates real interaction. This helps viewers understand how the product feels to use — not just how it looks — making the experience more immersive and convincing.
Why use this type of motion graphic:
Example: Credit Karma
Credit scores, credit cards, and debt management can feel overwhelming. Credit Karma used character-driven motion graphics to break down complex financial concepts into relatable, easy-to-understand stories.
Industry: FinTech / Financial Services
Use Case: Financial education / Brand awareness
Placement: Social media campaigns, Website, Digital ads
Style & Narration: The video uses friendly animated characters, conversational narration, and simple visual metaphors. The character guides viewers through financial topics in a way that feels approachable rather than intimidating.
Why It Works: Money conversations can feel stressful. By using character animation in motion graphics, the brand turns complicated financial topics into human stories, making the message clearer, warmer, and more memorable — a style often used in finance sector promotional videos.
Why use this type of motion graphic:
Example: IBM
To introduce its Design Language, this video of IBM, created by BUCK studio, used mixed media animation, one of the top motion graphics styles offered by agencies for brand storytelling, to reflect the very idea of structured, intentional design. The result is layered, yet controlled.
Industry: Technology / Enterprise
Use Case: Brand storytelling / Design system showcase
Placement: Website, Launch campaigns, Corporate presentations
Style & Narration: The video seamlessly blends 2D animation, 3D elements, typography, live-action clips, and infographics. Despite the variety, the pacing remains clean and deliberate. Each layer supports the narrative rather than competing for attention.
Why It Works: Mixed media can easily feel chaotic. Here, it feels purposeful. By carefully integrating multiple styles into one cohesive story, the video demonstrates design thinking in action — not just in words.
Why use this type of motion graphic:
Example: SAP
As a global enterprise software leader, SAP needed a brand piece that resonated with its existing customers while reinforcing authority and innovation. Instead of focusing on features, the video leans into abstract visual storytelling creating one of the best infographic videos.
Industry: Enterprise Software / Enterprise Resource Planning
Use Case: Brand film / Customer-focused brand reinforcement
Placement: Conferences, Brand campaigns, Corporate events
Style & Narration: The video uses bold compositions, flowing shapes, dynamic color transitions, and layered motion to create energy and sophistication. Clean typography and intelligent transitions guide the message without relying heavily on literal visuals.
Why It Works: Abstract motion graphics shift the focus product details to brand emotion. By using movement and composition strategically, the video strengthens SAP's positioning as innovative, confident, and future-focused.
Choosing the right motion graphics company can directly impact how your brand is perceived. It’s not just about animation, it’s about finding a partner who understands your vision and business goals.
Motion graphics animation is more than just eye-catching visuals. They're a powerful way to simplify ideas, tell stories, and connect with your audience. From clean 2D explainer videos to immersive 3D designs and abstract brand animations, the types of motion graphics are diverse enough to fit any business goal or budget.
By understanding these types of motion graphics and how they work, you can choose the right style to make your own message clear, memorable, and engaging, turning complex concepts into visuals that stick.
Ready to create your own motion graphics explainer video that delivers results?
Contact Broadcast2World today and let’s bring your vision to life!
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