Hand-Drawn Explainer Videos & Whiteboard Animation
I specialize in high-impact hand-drawn explainer videos and whiteboard animations that transform complex strategies into clear, engaging narratives. Unlike generic templates or AI-generated content, every scene is 100% custom-illustrated by me, Ian David Marsden.
Whether you need a video for internal corporate communication, change management, or employee training, my background as an editorial illustrator ensures your message is intelligible, distinct, and memorable. A strong explainer video reduces complexity without oversimplifying, building trust and ensuring your message is not only seen but truly understood.
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Featured Project: The Science of Kindness (52 Lives, UK)
The Science of Kindness (November 2025) is a hand-drawn explainer video for the UK charity 52 Lives and their educational initiative The School of Kindness. The film explains the “science of kindness” — effects on the brain, stress regulation, and social connection — through the story of “Sam”, whose small actions ripple outward.
Illustration, animation, design: Ian David Marsden
Voice-over: Matt Abbott
Client: Jaime Thurston / 52 Lives (52-lives.org)
Delivered as a complete production: story and script support, storyboard and animatic, character design, final hand-drawn animation, and web-optimized exports.
Full service — from concept to final export
Concept development, story and script support, storyboards, an animatic (timing approval before final production), illustration, 2D animation / motion design, and delivery for web, social media, internal platforms, presentations, or events. I work in English, German, and French, and can also coordinate professional voice-over production.
No templates — genuine illustration
No stock assets. No off-the-shelf icons. No AI-generated imagery. Every character, scene, and movement is individually drawn — with editorial discipline, clarity, and controlled humor. You work directly with the illustrator, without outsourcing or intermediaries. This approach has proven itself with clients across the UK, Europe, Switzerland, and internationally.
Planning & budget — transparent and predictable
Projects are typically priced as a fixed project fee, defined upfront through clear deliverables and milestones. The goal: no surprises and no creeping overtime logic. If scope changes, this is flagged early and adjusted transparently.
In many cases, usage rights are structured so that final illustrations can also be reused as static assets — for print, pitch decks, internal documents, posters, web graphics, or social media. This is always specified clearly in the proposal.
Visual styles
- Hand-drawn illustration (digital with an analog feel)
- Whiteboard-style animation (with optional digital “drawing hand”)
- Vector or textured brush styles
- Character-led storytelling or clean infographic narration
- Artistic timelapse drawing shows the drawings unfold
Full-service production
- Concept development and message clarity
- Script support (or working from an approved script)
- Storyboard and animatic (timing approved early)
- Hand-drawn illustration and animation
- Music integration and sound mix
- Multi-Language client support (EN / FR / DE)
- Delivery in all pro formats (MP4, ProRes, and other outputs when needed)
Working style
- Direct collaboration with the artist (no outsourcing)
- Clear approvals at script, storyboard and animatic stages
- Hand-drawn visuals designed for readability on screens
- Consistent character design and a controlled visual system
- Delivery-ready outputs for websites, social media, training platforms, and presentations as well as print assets
Selected examples
- All Stars Project (New York) — Whiteboard explainer video: “The World is Not Flat.”
- Federal Acquisition Institute (USA) — Animated micro-learning “Knowledge Nugget” series.
- Hawlik Vitalpilze (Germany) — Hand-drawn explainer videos with clean line work and selective color.
- LAP-Vorbereitung.ch (Switzerland) — Educational explainer animation for vocational students.
Planning an explainer video? We can quickly shape a clear plan together.
If you are considering an explainer video, please send me a short email with the essentials. Just a few short sentences suffice to give me an idea: what the video needs to explain (a product, an event, an initiative, or a manufacturing process), who it is for (children, students, adults, customers, decision-makers, internal teams, or a clearly defined niche audience—for example, wine lovers or cat enthusiasts), and how you plan to use it. Typical uses include a homepage or landing page, social media, presentations, seminars and teaching sessions, internal training, e-learning modules, and screens or displays at expo stands and conferences.
From there, I usually suggest a short phone call or a Visio meeting so we can confirm the style, length, and production steps. With that information in hand, I will prepare a clearly structured written proposal package—again with no obligation on your part—covering everything in one flat rate. It brings the essentials together in one place: deliverables, milestones, timeline, file formats, and usage rights.
Once you approve the proposal and give the green light, production moves forward in clear stages. We start by defining the core idea and visual approach, then develop the script (if you do not already have one), followed by a rough storyboard. From there, we move into final artwork and animation based on the approved storyboard. Each stage includes a review and revision phase, so adjustments can be made calmly and methodically as the project takes shape. All illustration and animation is produced in-house, and if you wish, I can also oversee the supporting elements—voiceover, music, and sound—so everything aligns with the approved script and your preferences. The result is a video tailored to your message and your audience—clear, well-paced, and designed to communicate your idea in a pleasing, engaging way.
Common Questions
Why choose a hand-drawn explainer video over stock footage?
Because it boosts information retention. The drawing appears live before the viewer’s eyes, keeping engagement significantly higher than with standard stock footage. Whether using a visible drawing hand or elegant timelapse, this dynamic style builds trust and ensures your message is actually remembered.
Do you produce explainer videos in German or French?
Yes. I am fluent in English, German (also Swiss German), and French. I can produce the same handgezeichnete Erklärvideos (hand-drawn videos) for the Swiss and DACH markets, synchronizing the animation to different language voice-overs. Deutscher Link: https://marsdenillustration.com/handgezeichnete-erklaervideos/
Can I use the illustrations for my presentation or website?
Absolutely. My production includes the option to license the high-resolution static drawings. This means your explainer video assets can double as content for your pitch decks, brochures, and website headers.
To get started, email me at [email protected]
