Animation has come a long way since its early days of hand-drawn cartoons. Nowadays, animation is used in a wide range of industries, including entertainment, advertising, and education. With the advancement of technology, animation has become more accessible and affordable, allowing for greater experimentation and innovation. The animation industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with a global market size of USD 394.6 billion in 2022 over $264 billion in 2020, and it is projected to continue growing at CAGR of 5.00%. This growth can be attributed to the strong demand for animated content, particularly in the gaming and streaming industries, which has created a greater need for skilled storyboard artists to create engaging and immersive narratives for these platforms. As a result, storyboard outsourcing has become an increasingly popular trend in the animation industry, as it enables studios to access talented storyboard artists from around the world, reduce production costs, and expedite the production process.

Animation and Storyboard Outsourcing: 2023 Trends

 1. Increased Animation Outsourcing to Asia

The trend of outsourcing animation production to Asia is expected to continue in the next few years, as the region continues to build up its infrastructure, skills, and technology to meet the growing demand for animation services. Many animation studios in Asia are now investing in state-of-the-art technology and software, and hiring and training skilled animators and artists, to provide high-quality animation services to clients worldwide.

In addition to Asia, other regions like Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Africa are also emerging as potential animation outsourcing destinations, as they offer a competitive labor market and government incentives for foreign investment. As the global animation industry continues to grow and evolve, outsourcing production to these regions can help studios reduce costs and streamline their production processes, while still delivering high-quality animation content to audiences around the world.

While outsourced animation has traditionally been associated with the entertainment industry, such as film, television, and gaming, it has expanded to other industries as well, including e-learning or e-education, web design, storyboarding, 2D/3D animation, and visual effects (VFX) services for commercial and corporate clients.

Many creative firms are upping their game and creating edgy animated presentations and marketing videos. Designers are expecting to see more variety in style and technique and less reliance on trends. Progressive companies will offer immersive and virtual reality presentations, and forward-thinking marketing/art directors will use them.

2. 3D Animation

The demand for 3D animation is expected to remain strong in the coming years, with the animation industry continuing to grow globally. Many animation providers, both large and small, are vying for a share of this expanding market. Major players in the industry such as Sony, Disney, Pixar, and Electronic Arts are likely to continue working with third-party 3D animation providers, both locally and offshore, in an effort to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Furthermore, advancements in technology, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, are likely to further boost the demand for 3D animation services in a wide range of industries, including gaming, film and television, and advertising.

3. Interactive Design

As technology continues to advance, animators and storyboard artists are increasingly utilizing it to enhance the accessibility of their content. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards incorporating interactive design into storyboards and presentations, with the aim of improving user experience and audience engagement. The key is to make it easier for target audiences to find what they are looking for, and interactive design is a powerful tool to achieve this. With advancements in animation and typography, interactive presentations have become more accessible and will likely become even more prominent in the coming years. In fact, many corporate websites already feature interactive elements to boost engagement and retain visitors, including visuals and animations that change in response to user actions. With the availability of a wider range of fonts and design tools, the possibilities for interactive design are practically limitless.

4. New Animation Tools

Design tools like Invision and Sketch remain popular in 2023, and are still being used by designers to create and share interactive content and presentations. In addition to Invision and Sketch, other design tools that enable easy visual representation of ideas are also in demand. With the increasing need for remote work and collaboration, cloud-based tools like Adobe Creative Suite are becoming even more popular and accessible as affordable alternatives to traditional design software. As technology continues to evolve and improve, designers will continue to leverage the latest tools and software to create engaging and innovative content.

5. “Mobile First” Design

In 2023, the trend of “mobile first” design continues to dominate as more people access the internet from their mobile devices than from desktops. As a result, designers are increasingly focused on creating visually appealing and user-friendly apps and websites that perform well on smaller screens. The rise of progressive web apps (PWAs) has enabled designers to create seamless experiences across multiple devices, allowing users to easily transition from mobile to desktop without losing functionality. 

Additionally, the use of responsive design frameworks like Bootstrap and Foundation has made it easier for designers to create websites and apps that adapt to different screen sizes and resolutions. Many companies are also opting to work with third-party designers and developers to ensure their presentations are optimized for a variety of devices.

6. HTML5, CSS3 and SVG Animations

In the present year, the trend towards using HTML5, CSS3, and SVG-based animations has continued, as more designers embrace these technologies to create engaging animations, banners, and presentations for websites and mobile apps. With the use of Google’s Material Design, designers create visually appealing presentations that are not limited by code. The use of animation in digital content has become even more important in today’s fast-paced digital landscape, as it allows for quick and effective communication of ideas and messages to target audiences and consumers.

7. Animated Illustrations

Animators and storyboard artists are increasingly utilizing technology to enhance the accessibility of their content. There has been a growing trend towards incorporating interactive design into storyboards and presentations to improve user experience and audience engagement. 

Incorporating animation into business marketing can result in easy communication with the audience, education through entertainment, the ability to transfer emotion, influence in buying decisions, increased website traffic, and easy sharing across social media channels. Animated infographics are also being used to engage audiences and communicate information. Social media animation is also becoming increasingly important for promoting brands and engaging audiences. Additionally, it is true that illustrated graphics are being animated to boost audience engagement, and animators that can bring hand-drawn illustrations to life will be in demand.

8. Liquid Motion Animation

Liquid motion refers to animations or presentations that have a fluid quality, like what we see every day in nature. This type of animation has gained popularity in recent years due to its fluid and natural quality, which mimics the movements we see in the world around us. It is especially popular in video games and CG movies, where it can add a level of realism to the animation.

In addition to entertainment, liquid motion animation is also being used in various industries to enhance user experience and engagement. Corporate presentations, marketing channels, mobile apps, and websites are all areas where fluid animations can be utilized to create a more immersive and engaging experience for the user. For example, a website may use liquid motion animation to make the interface more intuitive and user-friendly, while a marketing campaign may use fluid animations to make the content more visually appealing and memorable.

As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more applications of liquid motion animation in various industries. With its ability to create a natural and fluid movement, it is a technique that can enhance the user experience and engagement across a wide range of platforms. The industry will see more fluid animation in corporate presentations, marketing channels, mobile apps and websites.

9. Virtual Reality and Immersive Experiences

Virtual reality (VR) and animation continue to converge, creating new opportunities for brands to engage with their audiences. VR presentations and immersive animations are becoming more common in corporate websites and marketing materials, providing an interactive and engaging experience for customers. VR technology allows brands to drop audiences into realistic environments, offering experiences that are otherwise impossible. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more exciting developments in this space.

In addition, there has been an increased use of VR in e-commerce. Many companies are now using VR to create immersive shopping experiences that allow customers to virtually try on clothes, view products in 3D, and even walk through virtual stores. 

Another trend is the increased use of VR in education and training, as more companies and institutions are using VR to provide realistic and engaging simulations for learning and skill development. Finally, there is a growing trend towards social VR, which allows people to connect with others in virtual spaces and engage in shared experiences.

10. Augmented Reality

One of the current trends in AR is the integration of AR into mobile applications. More and more companies are leveraging the power of AR to create immersive and interactive experiences for their customers through their mobile apps. For example, furniture retailers are using AR to allow customers to visualize how a piece of furniture will look in their space before making a purchase. Beauty brands are using AR to let customers try on makeup virtually, and fashion brands are using AR to allow customers to see how clothes will look on them.

Another trend in AR is the use of AR in marketing campaigns. AR can be used to create unique and interactive experiences that engage customers and promote brand awareness. For example, a company may create an AR game or scavenger hunt that requires customers to visit specific locations or scan certain objects to unlock prizes or discounts. AR can also be used to create product demonstrations or virtual tours, allowing customers to see a product in action or explore a destination without leaving their home.

Finally, AR is being used in various industries to improve worker productivity and safety. For example, maintenance workers can use AR to receive real-time information about equipment and repairs while on the job, and healthcare professionals can use AR to visualize and plan surgeries. AR is also being used in training

11. Better Storytelling

Animated presentations continue to be a popular and effective marketing tool in 2023. As video marketing continues to grow, companies are investing more in creating high-quality animated presentations that tell a compelling story and engage their audiences. Advancements in technology have made it easier for companies to create animated presentations in-house, but many still choose to work with third-party design firms to ensure a polished and professional final product. The focus on unique and resonant stories remains a key element of successful animated presentations, with companies using them to sell products, win over decision makers, and build brand recognition. 

In addition, the use of micro-animations has defined the way stories are told. Micro-animations are small, subtle animations that are used to enhance the user experience and make presentations more engaging. They can also be used to provide feedback to the user, to guide them through a process, or simply to add a touch of personality to a design.

12. Episodic Animation

Episodic animation is a popular format for television shows, web series, and streaming platforms. In recent years, there has been a surge in the production of episodic animation due to the growth of streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. These platforms have increased demand for new and diverse content, leading to a surge in episodic animation production.

One trend in episodic animation is the focus on serialized storytelling. Many animated shows now feature complex story arcs that span multiple episodes or even seasons, encouraging viewers to follow the show from start to finish. This trend has led to a rise in adult-oriented animated shows, such as BoJack Horseman, Rick and Morty, and Big Mouth.

Another trend is the use of diverse animation styles and techniques. Some shows, like Love, Death & Robots, feature a different animation style for each episode. This approach allows creators to experiment with different styles and techniques, making each episode visually unique and engaging.

Finally, there is a growing trend towards inclusivity and representation in episodic animation. Many shows now feature diverse casts of characters, tackling issues such as race, gender, and sexuality. This trend has led to the creation of shows like Steven Universe, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, and Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, which have become popular with audiences for their positive representation and progressive storytelling.

13. Corporate eLearning and Animation

Corporate eLearning has evolved significantly over the years, from traditional classroom-style training to digital learning experiences that cater to the needs of modern learners. Today, corporate eLearning programs are designed to be more interactive, engaging, and effective, with a focus on providing personalized learning experiences to employees.

One of the latest trends in corporate eLearning is the use of gamification, which involves the integration of game-like elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards into learning programs to increase engagement and motivation. Microlearning is another popular trend, which involves delivering bite-sized pieces of information to learners, making it easier for them to digest and retain information.

Moreover, many companies are leveraging emerging technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to create immersive learning experiences that simulate real-world scenarios. These technologies enable employees to learn by doing, which can lead to better retention and application of knowledge.

Another trend in corporate eLearning is the emphasis on continuous learning, as opposed to traditional one-time training sessions. Companies are offering on-demand learning resources and encouraging employees to take ownership of their learning and development.

 Finally, corporate eLearning is becoming more personalized, with companies leveraging data and analytics to understand individual learning needs and preferences. This allows them to deliver customized learning experiences that are tailored to the unique needs of each employee, leading to improved engagement and better learning outcomes.

Gamification

To boost engagement and improve outcomes, more companies are using gamification or the addition of game elements (like level progression and points) to non-game eLearning programs. Instead of being just another corporate obligation, game elements turn the experience into something more motivating. According to a survey by TalentLMS, gamification increases employees’ productivity (89%) and happiness (88%) in the workplace. This is pushing companies to invest in eLearning training programs, video modules and animated presentations. 

In addition, AR and VR are increasingly being used in gamified eLearning programs, which enhances the immersive experience for learners. Another trend is the use of personalized learning paths and adaptive learning technologies that use gamification elements to tailor the learning experience to each individual’s needs and preferences.

Mobile Learning (mLearning)

With the increasing popularity of mobile devices, curriculum writers and designers are making efforts to create more accessible and user-friendly training programs, presentations, and modules. They are breaking down large presentations into smaller, bite-sized chunks that are easier to consume and digest on a mobile device. This approach has proven to be more effective as it allows employees to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule, making the learning experience more engaging and effective.

Mobile learning is rapidly gaining popularity and is expected to continue to grow in the corporate world as companies seek to provide effective and engaging training programs to their employees anytime, anywhere.

To learn more about outsourcing, you can read our Top 8 Qualities of an Outsourcing Company in the Philippines article. We invite you to follow us on social media and to visit our website to learn more about our services.

About Us: Sourcefit is a widely recognized US-managed business process outsourcing company based in Manila, Philippines. We proudly serve over 100 clients with a workforce of more than 1,300 employees. Our global centers can serve multiple markets, and our staff is highly proficient in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Whether you need a few or many employees, we can help you achieve your business goals and build high-quality offshore teams.

Latest Awards

Sourcefit’s commitment to excellence has been recognized through numerous industry awards and certifications.

We recently received the Fortress Cyber Security Award from the Business Intelligence Group. Sourcefit was also honored with the prestigious recognition of Best Outsourcing Solutions Provider in the Philippines during the 2023 Business Excellence Awards.

Other awards include: FT ranking of 500 high-growth Asia-Pacific, The Marketing Excellence Awards, Inquirer Growth Champion,  HR Asia Awards, among others.

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