What Is 2.5D Animation? (And When To Use It!)

You might’ve seen the term 2.5D animation when researching different video styles or when evaluating a video animation company for your next marketing piece. If you thought that was a typo, you would’ve been mistaken. (No judgment here; I thought the same when I first came upon the term! 😂)

So, what is 2.5D animation, exactly? Well, to put it simply, it’s a hybrid of 2D and 3D animation. And what can I use it for? Hey, hold your horses! I don’t want to spoil everything for you just yet — I did write an entire post about the topic, you know 😜.

So, let’s just get started, watch some examples, and discover together what this style is all about. 

What Is 2.5D Animation?

Simply put, it’s a style of animation that stands between the 2D and 3D video styles. This distinct animation technique combines 2D objects in a 3D space to give the impression of a 3D space.

That doesn’t sound ‘simple’ at all, right? But bear with me for a second, and I promise everything will make sense.

Imagine you have a great video concept, but you think it’d look better in 3D. However, you don’t have the time or the resources to make an entire 3D animation video or hire a 3D animation company. So, what can you do about it now? Well, here’s where 2.5D comes in to save the day.

With this animation style, you can make 2D objects look like they’re in 3D. Through the clever application of shadowing, layering, and perspective adjustments, among many other techniques, an animator can add volume to a 2D object and completely change how it looks.

The result is a cool illusion that makes your characters and objects look like they’re in 3D. This video style comes quite handy when you want to create more visually engaging content but don’t have the option of animating in 3D because of time or budgetary constraints.

What’s the Difference Between 2D, 2.5D, and 3D Animation?

Once you know the answer to the question “What is 2.5D animation?”, you might be wondering about the features that set it apart from other styles. So, here’s a quick summary of the differences between the 2D, 2.5D, and 3D styles and what each of them brings to the table.

• 2D animation: In this type of animation, you’ll have a flat background and flat characters conveying your message. The 2D style is highly effective for captivating your audience through storytelling.

(While this is mostly a 2D video, you can see some 2.5D elements, such as the cellphones and coins moving around as if they were 3D, making them stand out from the rest of the scene.)

• 2.5D animation: It’s a blend of 2D and 3D animation techniques. You still have a flat background, but your characters and objects look like they’re three-dimensional. This way, the 3D elements become the focal point of attention.

• 3D animation: Out of the three video animation styles I’ve mentioned here, this is the most time-consuming one. The production process of 3D videos involves many more steps, which is why it can offer great character and background depth. But while it might be the most visually appealing animation style, it’s also the most expensive.

If you want to know a bit more about each of these styles and see what they look like, you can watch this fun video we made about different video styles:

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Why Is 2.5D Animation Getting Popular?

Although it’s a somewhat new style when compared traditional ones, 2.5D animation has quickly risen in popularity, and it’s easy to see why! It has the visual allure and depth of 3D pieces, while still being simple enough to remain a fairly budget-friendly option.

It was first made popular through video games and animated shorts and movies, and thanks to the great reception it had with audiences, it was quickly adopted by marketing and video production agencies all around the world.

It’s now also used as an innovative approach to visual storytelling, so it’s the chosen style of those who want to stand out from the crowd and make stunning, memorable videos.

When Should You Consider Using 2.5D Animation?

If you still don’t know which option to pick, let me give you my top 4 reasons why 2.5D is your best choice.

1. To Make Certain Elements Pop

If there’s a specific object or character you want to highlight and use as the star of your video, then 2.5D animation is the way to go. Your piece can be done in 2D, and then suddenly bam! A 3D element appears, instantly becoming the main attraction and stealing the spotlight. This approach is especially useful when you want to promote a product, making it the 3D element that pops out from the flat background.

2. To Highlight Geometric Figures

Geometric objects are the most favored elements to include in 2.5D animated pieces, allowing them to be represented in a 3D fashion and stand out from the flat backgrounds. In the examples I listed down below, you’ll see that buildings, electronics, and geometric shapes are present in virtually all scenes because they truly make any video stand out!

3. To Save Time and Money

Whether you’re a startup or don’t have a big budget, you can still leverage this video style to boost your marketing efforts. This type of video poses a budget-friendly alternative to 3D and live-action videos, as it doesn’t require complex software, equipment, or actors (check out our article on animation cost to know more about the topic). Moreover, it’s simpler to make, so you won’t have to wait for ages or go through a complex animation process to get the final piece.

4. To Stand Out from Other Creators

As this animation style is still fairly new, you’ll see that most marketers out there are still opting for only 2D animation —making 2.5D pieces an innovative tool to stand out from the crowd and ensure your video leaves a lasting impression on your audience. It’s a fun and budget-friendly way to create unique content!

10 Best 2.5D Animation Examples

I know, I know — what was meant to be a simple answer to the question “what is 2.5D animation?” became a lot of text and information! Don’t worry; we’ve finally reached the fun part: the examples! Here are five wonderful pieces that can help you better understand what the style looks like and maybe even inspire your next video 😉. 

1. WSP — Yum Yum Videos

To start off this list, I’d like to share this fantastic video we made at Yum Yum Videos for our friends at WSP. This business is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, and they trusted our 2D animation company to illustrate their message in this animation style.

I believe this is a perfect example of how 2.5D explainer videos can easily communicate technical or complex topics in a way anyone can understand. The combination of eye-catching animation and smooth transitions will definitely keep the viewer glued to the screen. 

Moreover, the visual tone and integration of 2.5D elements gave this video a unique look suitable for all kinds of services, regardless of the industry. Just take a look at how all the buildings and streets are made in a flat 2D design, but positioned in a way that simulates 3D visuals.

Do you need a 2.5D animation video? Contact us for a quote here!

2. ChartLamo — 2.5D Animated Video

Here’s a great example in the medical industry. What I really like about this video is how the animation accentuates the different objects and makes them the piece’s focal point. The result is an elegant style with a distinctive and futuristic look that will make an impact on the viewers’ minds.

3. Revo Testing Technologies — 2.5D Ad

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Like the examples before, this piece features 2.5D characters and objects from the very first frame. But to me, what makes this video different from the rest is the use of brand colors from the start until the very end. This can be a great strategy if you want your viewers to be able to instantly associate the video with your company.

4. Uncomplicate Your Tech — 2.5D Video

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This 2.5D animation example shows how shading and perspective adjustments can give the illusion of depth. You might notice that there’s not much going on in the background, as it’s simply a gradient, but that’s purposely done to add more dimension to the whole scene while keeping the focus on the objects.

5. Microsoft Kaizala — 2.5D Commercial

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At first glance, it might look like this is not a 2.5D animation example at all. But did you notice anything special about how the app’s interface comes out of the device? No? Well, take a look again and pay attention to how it looks like it’s popping out of the screen.

While the devices’ animation is 3D, that of the interface is 2.5D. This is done to guide the audience’s attention to the examples being shown on-screen and make the piece more dynamic and entertaining.

6. Adzerk — Yum Yum Videos

You probably noticed that most of this video is in 2D, but pay close attention to the computers, phones, and tables as they move. Those are done in 2.5D animation! The combination results in an engaging piece that is bound to catch viewers’ eyes at exactly the right moment, as the use of 2.5D for specific elements throughout the video makes them stand out from the rest of the animation, making the audience focus on them instantly.

Do you need a 2.5D animation video? Contact us for a quote here!

7. Accedian Assurance — 2.5D Explainer Video

Remember what I said about geometric shapes? Look at this amazing example showcasing exactly what I was telling you about! Accedian leverages the visual attraction of these shapes and makes them the focal point of their video, using them as the main characters —notice how there’s no human character! This results in a compelling piece that keeps you hooked until the very end.

8. TripleBlind Two-Minute Overview — 2.5D Video

One of the major challenges businesses face is having to explain who they are and what benefits they bring to the table in a way that compels and catches the attention of audiences. In this case, TripleBlind expertly chose the 2.5D animation style to illustrate a 2-minute overview of their company, ensuring the engaging visuals would make viewers interested in what they have to offer.

9. Atlassian Platform Overview — 2.5D Animation

This video is a great example of using a 2.5D video to highlight just a few of the elements you want to include, giving the piece an interesting look while keeping the overall feeling cohesive with what’s traditional within the industry. Additionally, notice how the 2.5D shapes and objects are used as a way to emphasize what the voiceover is narrating at that point!

10. What Is Oracle Customer Success Services? — 2.5D Video

Last, but certainly not least, let’s take a look at this animated explainer. What I loved about it is that the only 2.5D element they included is precisely the most important one: a box that represents the company’s cloud-based solution —not only making an abstract concept into a concrete one, but also making it the star of the video thanks to the animation style that differentiates it from all other objects and backgrounds in the video.

Need a 2.5D Animation Video? Here’s How We Can Help!

Being in the industry for over a decade now has allowed us to put together a professional team with the skills and passion to produce fully customized, effective videos that can bring your message to life.

Do you want to know our secret? 😉 A solid compromise for genuinely listening to our client’s needs and goals. 

With your marketing objectives as the compass to guide our process, we tailor-make each and every piece we work on so they fit your brand and your tone perfectly. No matter what niche you operate in, our unique videos can help you tackle even the most complex or abstract concepts to effectively convey your message.

At Yum Yum Videos, our passion and dedication drive our work. We love what we do, and we make sure our videos show it 😃. So, if you’re ready to get that awesome video for your company, send us a message, and let’s talk about it!

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Wrapping Up

I hope I’ve cleared any doubts you might’ve had regarding 2.5D so you can evaluate whether this is the right style for your project. If you’ve already produced a video in 2D and 3D, then I definitely recommend you give 2.5 D a try, especially if you’re in the tech, finance, and healthcare industries. I promise you won’t be disappointed with the results!

You can take the examples I’ve shared here as a starting point and let your creativity do the rest! Or if you’d rather get a professional helping hand, you can do so from anywhere in the world. Nowadays, there are many capable animation studios in New York, London, and even Tokyo!