Hand-Drawn Explainer Videos &
Whiteboard Animation

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

I work directly with clients in English, French and German, from early concept and script support through storyboard, illustration, animation and final delivery. Projects are often commissioned for internal communication, employee training, education, public information, product explanation and mission-driven campaigns.

For German-language information, including Swiss and DACH projects, please see the German explainer video page. You can also jump directly to the video gallery.

Selected Clients & Collaborations

Selected client logos for Ian David Marsden, including Coca-Cola, Google, Mercedes-Benz, Dräger and Wacom, shown on a hand-drawn explainer video and illustration portfolio page.
Selected clients and collaborations across illustration, visual communication, design and motion-led projects. View client overview.

Human-crafted visual storytelling

In a market increasingly filled with AI-generated imagery, template animation and generic stock visuals, I provide 100% human-crafted illustration and animation. Every character, prop, diagram and visual sequence is drawn specifically for the message, audience and tone of the project. The result is not a dressed-up template, but a coherent visual explanation built around the actual subject.

No stock characters. No AI-generated imagery. No template libraries. No visual shortcuts.

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, training modules and events

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. This means the same visual system can support the finished video and the wider communication campaign around it.

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, in e-learning 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, revision stages 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.

Training and micro-learning animation

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 and production workflow

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
  • Custom visual systems for training, public information, education, product explanation and internal communication
Hand-drawn whiteboard animation and business illustration examples by Ian David Marsden, showing custom icons, diagrams and character-led explainer visuals.
Hand-drawn whiteboard animation and business illustration examples created for clear visual explanation.

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
Hand-drawn whiteboard explainer video examples by Ian David Marsden, featuring educational, corporate and public information animations for international clients.
Selected hand-drawn whiteboard explainer video examples for education, training, business communication and public information.

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

Common questions about hand-drawn explainer videos

How much does a custom hand-drawn explainer video cost?

Every project is different. Cost depends on the length of the video, the complexity of the illustrations, the number of scenes, the level of animation required, the voice-over and sound requirements, the number of language versions and the intended usage. I usually provide a flat-fee project quote after an initial brief, so the scope, timeline, deliverables and usage rights are clear before production begins.

What is the turnaround time for a whiteboard animation?

A short hand-drawn explainer video is usually planned across several stages: briefing, script, storyboard, animatic, final illustration, animation, sound and delivery. The schedule depends on length, complexity and approval speed, but many two-minute projects can be planned over several weeks once the script and scope are agreed. For longer or more detailed productions, I provide a realistic production schedule in the proposal.

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

Hand-drawn explainer videos support attention, clarity and information retention. The drawing appears step by step in front of the viewer, which helps the message unfold in a structured way. Whether with a visible drawing hand or an elegant timelapse effect, this style feels more personal and crafted than generic stock footage, and it is especially useful for subjects that need to be understood and remembered.

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, social media posts or on your website, alongside the finished video.

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, visual storytelling, business illustration and character design.
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