Going viral can be the game-changer. It can propel a company or campaign to new heights by reaching a vast, global audience in a short space of time. Viral content has the power to engage, inspire, and motivate people to take action. 

Inversely, content has to be engaging, inspirational and drive people to take action to go viral at all.

The ripple effect of a viral animation can increase brand awareness, customer engagement, or charitable donations, generating impressive results. If your message ends up viral, it can elevate your brand’s profile, opening up your access to a wider audience and potential customers.

viral animation

Animation is Special

Animation is a versatile, dynamic medium that captivates audiences in ways live-action often can’t. With the flexibility to bring any idea to life—be it whimsical characters or dramatic graphic flourishes, animation taps right into our imagination. 

The adaptability that oozes from animation, allows brands and charities to craft compelling stories that evoke emotion and human connection in their messages. Animation also transcends language barriers, whether there’s no talking involved or you record audio in different languages, the format lends itself beautifully to global audiences.

The medium’s boundless potential to express your creative side through visual storytelling is perfect for creating memorable content that resonates with viewers, increasing your chances of going viral.

Tips to Design a Viral Animation

Virality isn’t easy. You need to be attuned to the world around you and the culture you live if you want to vie for virality and reach the hundreds upon thousands, OR MILLIONS of viewers you’re looking for.

Short and Snappy: Attention spans are shrinking, so your animation should get to the point quickly. Aim for videos under two minutes, with the most critical message front-loaded in the first 15 seconds.

Relatability: Content that tugs at emotion or mirrors relatable experiences has a higher likelihood of being shared. Use characters, situations, and narratives that your target audience can see themselves in.

Call to Action (CTA): Always include a strong CTA, whether it’s encouraging viewers to share the video, visit a website, or take part in a campaign. A clear CTA gives your audience direction on how to engage further.

2d charity animation

Viral Animation Projects

Now for us to shamelessly plug some recent projects we have worked on that have made waves online and truly capture the spirit of a viral animation.

Absolut Vodka – Better Journeys Home 

This 2D brand animation was part of Absolut Vodka’s campaign to promote responsible drinking. The message highlighted was bold and heartwarming which allowed viewers to understand that Absolut Vodka wanted to genuinely make a difference and help people. 

The viral animation creatively showcased different people navigating their way home after a night out, each with a unique journey. Back at The Animation Guys HQ our response was to create a vibrant singular art style that would be high impact across social channels. Colorful, relatable characters and high-energy visuals ensured the video would be eye-catching and noticeable.

This decision clearly resonated with viewers. The project spread like wildfire with millions of people engaging with campaigns across social media.

Superdrug – CGI Advertising

This 3D FOOH animation for Superdrug simulated a realistic, eye-catching billboard, using CGI to make it seem as though products were coming out of the screen. The innovative, larger-than-life design captured people’s attention and generated buzz online. 

This animation was primed to tap into the Christmas audience, ready to ride the new cultural wave of animated OOH advertising campaigns. As the animation mimicked a real-world setting, the stunning lit-up Christmas tree feels familiar while being paired with a twist that made it share-worthy. 

Fauxadvertising draws in both consumers and the press alike through the advert’s surrealism and juxtaposition. Amassing hundreds of thousands of views, the video’s novelty concept brings attention to the brand through both online and real-world engagement.

Gordon Ramsay Video – 3D Fake Out of Home Advertising

In this viral animation sensation, 3D animation brought Gordon Ramsay’s iconic chef’s shirt to life on the streets of London. As part of the activation for his new restaurants, this hyper-realistic portrayal of the chef’s gigantic uniform towering over passersby, created an awesome spectacle that went viral on Instagram, garnering thousands of likes, shares, and comments. 

Its playful, unexpected nature made it irresistible for viewers to engage with. The video is short and immediately encapsulates the message of the advert (to come and visit Lucky Cat and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High at Bishopsgate 22, making it easily watchable and shareable, highlighting the power of combining celebrity imagery with creative animation. To date the video has been viewed over 5 million times!

Going viral isn’t only luck—it’s about creating content that resonates with people on an emotional, visual, and intellectual level. 

The key to a viral animation video lies in designing with creativity and strategy, to deliver relatable, engaging stories that encourage people to share your message far and wide.

Now here’s our own call-to-action: if you’d like to stand in a sea of adverts and UGC awareness videos, step aside from normal and get in touch with us here or give us a call at +44 (0) 207 2886 319 and let’s get you noticed.