Hand-drawn explainer videos, whiteboard animation and illustrated learning by Ian David Marsden.

Hand-Drawn Explainer Videos,
Whiteboard Animation & Illustrated Learning

I create custom hand-drawn explainer videos, whiteboard animation and illustrated learning films that help organisations explain products, services, processes and ideas with clarity. Every production is built from original illustration created specifically for the brief—never from stock artwork, template libraries or AI-generated imagery.

From the first conversation through script support, storyboarding, illustration, animation and final delivery, I work directly with clients in English, French and German. Projects range from employee training, onboarding and internal communication to public information, education, product explanation and mission-driven campaigns.

For German-language information, including projects throughout Switzerland, Germany and Austria, please visit the German explainer video page.

Selected Clients & Collaborations

Selected clients including Google, Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, Dräger and Wacom.
Trusted by international companies, publishers, charities, educational organisations and public institutions. View the complete client overview.

Where Hand-Drawn Explainer Videos Work Best

Hand-drawn explainer videos are particularly effective when information needs to be understood rather than simply seen. They combine illustration, storytelling and animation to guide viewers through complex subjects in a way that feels clear, engaging and memorable.

  • Employee training and onboarding
  • Learning, micro-learning and e-learning
  • Internal communication and organisational change
  • Health, safety and compliance
  • Educational programmes
  • Product and service explanation
  • Public-information campaigns
  • Scientific and technical communication
  • Conference and presentation visuals
  • Mission-led organisations and charities

What I Provide

Whether you already have an approved script or are starting with an idea that still needs to be clarified, I provide a complete illustration-led production service. Every project is developed specifically for its audience, objectives and communication challenge rather than assembled from templates or stock assets.

  • Creative consultation and concept development
  • Script support or adaptation of an existing script
  • Storyboards and animatics for early approval of structure, pacing and visual direction
  • Original illustration and character design
  • Hand-drawn whiteboard animation, illustrated animation and motion graphics
  • Voice-over, music and sound coordination where required
  • Final delivery for websites, social media, presentations, training platforms, e-learning and events
  • Optional licensing of the finished illustrations for presentations, publications, websites and wider communication campaigns

Because every illustration is created specifically for the project, the finished drawings can often continue to support the wider communication campaign long after the video itself has been completed.

How the Production Process Works

Most projects begin with a short conversation about the message, audience and intended use of the finished video. I then prepare a written proposal covering the scope, schedule, deliverables, revision stages and usage rights.

1. Discovery

We define what the video needs to explain, who it is for and where it will be used.

2. Planning

The script, visual direction, storyboard and timing are developed and approved before final production begins.

3. Illustration

Every character, prop, diagram and scene is drawn specifically for the project.

4. Animation

The approved illustrations are brought to life through carefully paced movement, transitions and visual sequencing.

5. Review

Structured approval stages keep the process clear and allow adjustments to be made at the appropriate point.

6. Delivery

The finished video is supplied in the formats required for websites, presentations, social media, training platforms or events.

Original Illustration, Created for the Project

There is an important difference between animation that merely looks hand drawn and animation that begins with original illustration. Every project shown on this page was created from bespoke drawings produced specifically for that client, audience and message.

Rather than adapting stock artwork or relying on AI-generated imagery, I develop the visual language from the ground up. This gives each production its own identity while ensuring that every image supports the explanation rather than simply decorating it.

No stock characters. No template libraries. No AI-generated imagery. Original illustration built around the message.

Explore My Illustration Styles & Services

The strength of a hand-drawn explainer video comes from the quality of the illustration behind it. With more than 35 years of professional experience in illustration, creative direction and visual storytelling, I can develop a visual language that fits the subject, audience and brand rather than forcing every project into the same style.

You can explore other areas of my illustration practice below:

Editorial & Educational Illustration

Illustration for newspapers, magazines, publishers, educational organisations, cultural institutions and public-interest communication.

View Editorial & Educational Illustration →

Comics, Cartoons & Sequential Illustration

Business comics, graphic novels, comic strips, storyboards, onboarding materials, training communication and narrative illustration.

View Comics & Sequential Illustration →

Advertising, Business & Campaign Illustration

Original commercial illustration, advertising visuals, campaign artwork, business communication and brand-led visual storytelling.

View Business & Campaign Illustration →

Logo, Mascot & Character Design

Custom logos, brand mascots, illustrated identities, character systems and memorable visual personalities created for organisations, products and campaigns.

View Logo, Mascot & Character Design →

Graphic Design & Creative Direction

Brand systems, packaging, campaign design, presentation graphics and coherent visual communication across print and digital media.

View Graphic Design & Creative Direction →

Whether a project requires whiteboard animation, editorial illustration, comics, character design or a broader visual communication system, the emphasis remains the same: original artwork, clear communication and imagery created specifically for the project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you work internationally?

Yes. I regularly work with organisations throughout Europe, North America and internationally, communicating directly in English, French or German.

Can you work from an existing script?

Absolutely. Some clients arrive with a finished script while others need help shaping their message. Both approaches are equally common.

Can you also create the illustrations without animation?

Yes. Many clients also license the finished illustrations for reports, presentations, websites, exhibition graphics, social media and printed publications.

How long does production usually take?

That depends on the length and complexity of the project, but most productions take between three and eight weeks from approval to delivery.

Do you use AI-generated artwork?

No. Every illustration is created specifically for the project using traditional digital illustration techniques. No stock illustration libraries or AI-generated artwork are used.

Video Gallery

The projects below span a number of years and a wide variety of clients, subjects and illustration styles. Together they provide an overview of the range of hand-drawn explainer videos, whiteboard animations and illustrated learning projects I have produced.

Download My Illustration Portfolio

Ian David Marsden illustration portfolio PDF 2026 shown as English, German and French download versions with two sample portfolio pages.
Download the Ian David Marsden Illustration Portfolio PDF 2026 in English, German or French.

If you would like to see a broader selection of illustration, visual communication and commercial projects, you can download my current portfolio below.


Let’s Discuss Your Project

Whether you’re planning an employee training programme, an educational animation, a product explainer or a mission-led communication campaign, I’d be happy to discuss how bespoke illustration can help communicate your message more clearly.

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