In the world of animation, 2D character animation remains a timeless and powerful storytelling medium. From iconic morning cartoons to today’s mobile games and explainer videos, 2D animated characters have carved a legacy that continues to evolve. At Innova Designz, we specialise in creating visually compelling and emotionally resonant 2D character art that brings stories to life.

In this guide, we’ll break down the 2D animation process, discuss the principles of 2D animation character design, and show you how we bring your ideas to life with professional quality and creative flair.

What Is 2D Character Animation?

2D character animation is the process of creating movement in characters in a two dimensional space. Unlike 3D animation, which involves depth, 2D animation focuses on height and width, often using hand drawn or digitally illustrated characters.

If you’re wondering, what is 2D animation?. Whether frame by frame or vector based, the magic lies in making static drawings move realistically or stylistically.

Why 2D Character Animation Still Matters

Despite the rise of 3D animation, character animation 2D continues to dominate various platforms due to its:

  • Affordability: More budget friendly compared to 3D.
  • Speed: Faster turnaround for tight deadlines.
  • Style Versatility: From minimalist flat design to intricate linework.
  • Nostalgia Factor: Emotional connection to familiar aesthetics.

Whether it’s a brand mascot, an animated explainer, or a game avatar, 2D animation characters offer unique creative flexibility.

The 2D Animation Process: Step by Step

Creating a stunning animated 2D character involves a structured workflow. Here’s how we approach the 2D animation production pipeline at Innova Designz:

1. Concept Development

We start by identifying the purpose and personality of the character. This phase involves:

  • Brainstorming character traits
  • Reviewing reference images
  • Sketching early 2D character drawing concepts

2. Character Design for 2D Animation

Next, we focus on 2D animation character design, ensuring the character fits the story and environment. Key aspects include:

  • Proportions and expressions
  • Costume and accessories
  • Colour theory and contrast
  • Pose sheet development

Our expert 2D character artist uses software like Adobe Illustrator to refine the 2D character design in Illustrator, ensuring precision and style consistency.

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3. Storyboarding – Mapping the Visual Blueprint

Storyboarding is where we sketch out each scene to visualise the flow of the animation. These rough thumbnails outline key movements, compositions, and transitions between shots. It helps us plan how the 2D animation will unfold frame by frame. This visual draft ensures clarity before diving into production.

4. Animatic Creation – Previewing the Rhythm

The animatic adds motion, timing, and temporary audio to the storyboard. It is a rough video prototype, showing how the 2D animation characters interact over time. This step helps refine pacing, spot issues early, and align on the animation’s rhythm. It’s an essential tool for previewing emotional tone and storytelling flow.

5. Rigging (If Applicable) – Simplifying Character Movement

For puppet style animation, rigging attaches a virtual skeleton to the 2D illustration character. This allows for smooth and repeatable movements without redrawing each frame. It’s ideal for animated series, games, or marketing content using cut-out 2D characters. Rigging makes the animation process faster and more efficient.

6. Animation – Bringing 2D Characters to Life

With the rig or drawings ready, we start animating 2D images using tools like Adobe Animate or Toon Boom Harmony. Here, we add lifelike motion, expressions, and interactions to the characters. Every movement is crafted to reflect personality and story. This step transforms static 2D character art into a dynamic visual experience.

7. Final Edits and Export – Perfecting the Animation

Once the animation is complete, we polish the project with sound effects, music, colour correction, and visual effects. Quality checks ensure the 2D animation meets high production standards. Finally, we export the animation in the required format, ready to captivate your audience across digital platforms.

Popular Character Animation Styles in 2D

Choosing the right style is crucial. Here are some widely used character animation styles in 2D:

  • Cut out Animation – Uses static parts moved in pieces
  • Frame by Frame Animation – Traditional hand drawn approach
  • Motion Graphics – Used in explainer videos and commercials
  • Minimalist Flat Animation – Great for apps and web content

At Innova Designz, we adapt styles based on your brand goals and audience preferences.

Tools We Use for 2D Character Animation

  • Adobe Illustrator – For clean vector character art
  • Adobe Animate – For versatile frame by frame animation
  • Toon Boom Harmony – Professional level rigging and effects
  • After Effects – Ideal for motion graphics and post production

Our experienced 2D character studio leverages these tools to maintain quality and originality in every 2D animation project.

Designing a Memorable 2D Animated Character

Crafting animated 2D characters requires a balance of aesthetics and storytelling. Here are the tips we follow:

  • Keep the silhouette distinct
  • Align features with personality traits
  • Choose colour schemes that evoke emotion
  • Use unique visual elements to stand out

Whether you’re building 2D cartoon characters for kids or creating educational animations, our team ensures your design leaves a lasting impact.

When to Choose 2D Over 3D

If your project demands rapid development, simpler visuals, or nostalgic appeal, 2D character animations are the way to go.

However, if you’re interested in full three dimensional realism, don’t miss our 3D Character Design Process: Complete Guide, which dives deep into 3D modelling, rigging, and rendering.

Real World Applications of 2D Animation

2D animation isn’t just for cartoons. It’s ideal for:

  • Mobile games – Lightweight, stylised avatars
  • Explainer videos – Fast and engaging storytelling
  • Marketing & branding – Memorable person animation for products
  • Education & eLearning – Visual aids that boost retention
  • Web & UI animations – Enhancing interactivity

If you’re planning your next 2D animation project, we’d love to help.

Why Choose Innova Designz?

Innova Designz stands out as a top tier 2D character animation studio because of:

  • Our deep understanding of 2D art animation
  • Custom tailored design solutions
  • Industry grade tools and techniques
  • A creative team of skilled 2D character artists

Whether you want to design a 2D character from scratch or need full production support, we bring your vision to life with precision and passion.

Conclusion

2D character animation is an evergreen art form that combines creativity, storytelling, and technical precision. From concept to completion, the process requires thoughtful design and skilful execution. At Innova Designz, we make this journey seamless, turning your ideas into vibrant, animated realities.

Whether you’re launching a brand, developing an app, or telling a unique story, our 2D character animation services are crafted to deliver results.

Let’s create something timeless, one frame at a time.