HAND DRAWN EXPLAINER VIDEOS Magazine Editorial Quality Drawings

Hand-Drawn Explainer Videos &
Whiteboard Animation

Custom hand-drawn explainer videos and whiteboard animation for organisations that need to explain something clearly: a process, a service, a product, a change initiative, a training topic, or a public-facing message. Every scene is illustrated specifically for the brief — no stock assets, no templates, no AI-generated imagery.

These projects are often commissioned for internal communication, employee training, change management, education, public information and mission-driven campaigns. The aim is not simply to make information attractive, but to make it intelligible, memorable and usable.

I work directly with clients in English, French and German, and can deliver a complete production workflow from early concept and script support to storyboard, animation and final export.

Contact me for an informal discussion, or jump directly to the video gallery.

For German-language information, including Swiss and DACH projects, please see the German explainer video page.

Cartoon of smiling boy with labeled brain releasing dopamine, drawn in soft colors.
Frame from “The Science of Kindness,” a hand-drawn explainer video created for 52 Lives and The School of Kindness.

Featured project: The Science of Kindness

The Science of Kindness is a hand-drawn explainer video created for the UK charity 52 Lives and their educational initiative The School of Kindness. The film explains how kindness affects the brain, stress regulation and social connection, using a simple narrative structure built around the character of Sam and the wider effects of small actions.

The project was delivered as a complete production: concept development, script support, storyboard, animatic, illustration, animation and final export for online use.

Illustration, animation and design: Ian David Marsden
Voice-over: Matt Abbott
Client: Jaime Thurston / 52 Lives (52-lives.org)

What is included

I offer a complete hand-drawn explainer video service, adapted to the needs of each project. Some clients come with an approved script and a clear production brief. Others need help defining the message, structure and visual approach from the start. In both cases, the process is designed to stay clear, efficient and easy to approve.

  • Message development and concept clarification
  • Script support or adaptation of an existing script
  • Storyboard and animatic so structure and timing are approved early
  • Custom illustration and character design
  • 2D animation / whiteboard-style motion
  • Voice-over, music and sound coordination where required
  • Final delivery for websites, presentations, internal platforms, social media and events

All artwork is created specifically for the project: no stock assets, no template libraries and no AI-generated imagery. You work directly with the illustrator throughout, which keeps the visual language consistent and the production process focused and clear.

Depending on the agreed usage, the finished drawings can often also be licensed as static assets for websites, presentations, posters, internal communication or social media.

Planning an explainer video?

A short email is enough to begin. In most cases, I just need to know what the video needs to explain, who it is for, approximately how long it should be, and where it will be used — for example on a website, in internal training, on social media, in presentations or at events.

From there, I usually suggest a brief, no-obligation call to confirm the message, format, style and production steps. I then prepare a written proposal covering scope, timeline, deliverables, file formats and usage rights.

Projects are usually quoted as a flat project fee. Payment is typically split into two or three stages, depending on the scope and schedule. Each stage includes review points, so the work can be approved calmly and adjusted where needed.

Email me to discuss your project

What is a Program Manager

This explainer video for the Federal Acquisition Institute introduces the role and responsibilities of a Program Manager in a concise micro-learning format. It shows how hand-drawn animation can support training, onboarding and professional education by making specialised information clearer, more structured and easier to retain.

Visual styles

  • Hand-drawn illustration with a clear, authored visual language
  • Whiteboard-style animation, with or without a visible drawing hand
  • Character-led storytelling or cleaner infographic-based narration
  • Timelapse drawing sequences where the drawing process is part of the communication
Collection of custom icons and business-themed editorial illustrations, featuring creative designs by Ian David Marsden.

Production workflow

  • Concept and message definition
  • Script support or script adaptation
  • Storyboard and animatic approval before final production
  • Illustration, animation and final assembly
  • Sound, music and voice-over coordination where needed
  • Multilingual collaboration in English, French and German
  • Delivery in the formats required for the project

How long does a hand-drawn explainer video usually take to produce?

That depends on the length, complexity and approval process, but most projects are planned across clearly defined stages: briefing, script, storyboard, animatic, final illustration, animation and delivery. Once the scope is clear, I provide a realistic schedule in the proposal so timings are agreed from the outset.

Hand-drawn whiteboard explainer video examples by Ian David Marsden, featuring educational and corporate explainer animations for international clients.

Selected examples

MushroomVideo  006 In a nutshell

This hand-drawn explainer video for Hawlik / Mycotrition GmbH presents the harvesting and production process behind medicinal mushroom products. It is a good example of how illustration and animation can make a specialist topic more accessible, structured and trustworthy for customers, partners and health-conscious audiences.

Additional examples: Product education and process communication

Clients of Ian David Marsden – graphic design and illustration projects for Coca-Cola, Google, Mercedes-Benz, Dräger, Wacom, and others.
Some of the clients I have had the pleasure of assisting creatively – CLIENTS

Common Questions

Why choose a hand-drawn explainer video over stock footage?

Because it supports attention and information retention. The drawing appears step by step in front of the viewer, which helps to keep people engaged while the message unfolds. Whether with a visible drawing hand or an elegant timelapse, this dynamic style feels more personal and crafted than generic stock footage, and it is well suited to topics that need to be remembered, not just watched.

Do you produce explainer videos in German or French?

Yes. I work in English, German and French, including projects for Switzerland and the wider DACH region. Where needed, I can adapt the same video structure for different language versions and coordinate the animation with approved voice-over tracks. For a German-language overview, please visit my German explainer video page.

Can I use the illustrations for my presentation or website?

Yes. Many projects are structured so that you can license the underlying high-resolution drawings as static assets. This allows the same visuals to be used in pitch decks, brochures, internal documents, training materials or on your website, alongside the finished video.

To get started, email me at  [email protected]

Video Gallery — Select and View

For a quick, shareable overview of my illustration range, download my illustrator portfolio PDF.

Download Ian David Marsden’s portfolio showcasing hand-drawn explainer videos, whiteboard animation, and illustration styles.
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