Does your explainer animation actually NEED music, or are you just adding it because everyone else does?
Just like salting or peppering your food before tasting it is considered an insult to some chefs, blindly slapping music under your explainer video just because “explainers need music” can be a misstep. Some animations need it, some don’t.
If your video is mostly lifestyle shots, depicting carefree users happily swiping and tapping a couple of screenshots of your app, then music probably works. You’re going for “show me” rather than “explain it to me.”
But if your concept is actually unique or technical, I’d think twice about adding a royalty-free music bed “just because.” Sometimes explaining the product is interesting enough. Skip the music. Focus on the visual storytelling.
Sometimes explaining the product is interesting enough.
If you decide your explainer animation DOES need music, here are some guardrails to help make sure your message still comes through:
Does Your Music Support The Narrative?
Just like a well-crafted script, the right piece of music should have a beginning, middle, and end… hopefully with something interesting happening in the middle. Music can have a story arc, just like your narrative. Try a few different pieces of music until you find one that’s sympathetic to the story your telling.
Is Your Music More Interesting Than Your Video?
Depending upon the pace and visuals of your animation, choosing the WRONG music can totally derail your message. Unless you’re attempting non-verbal storytelling, your score should always assist the visuals, not overpower them. Worst case? your music is more interesting than your message. WORST worse case? Your music is SO distracting nobody sits through your animation.
Haven’t I Heard This Somewhere Before?
Try to find unique and interesting music. You’d be surprised how easy it is to find original composers who can whip up something unique that follows the pace of your video, and makes it better. But if you have to use some stock royalty-free music, try to choose something unique, NOT something that’s just trying to sound like an Apple ad. Cute uke music doesn’t make your product better.
Cute uke music doesn’t make your product better.