Why Do We Need 3D Animation Studios?

Creating scientific animations, especially for fields like biotech, pharma, or medical devices, is not a one-person job.

You need:

  • a medical illustrator who understands the science,

  • a scriptwriter who can translate it for a broader audience,

  • a 3D modeler who can build molecules and cells from scratch,

  • an animator to bring them to life,

  • and someone to tie it all together with voiceover, music, and visual flow.

That’s why 3D animation studios exist.
Freelancers are great but rarely have all the skills needed for a full science video that’s both accurate and emotionally engaging.

Studios bring the right mix of scientific understanding, creative direction, and production capability.

So yes: if you’ve decided to go 3D, a studio is the way to do it right.

But Do You Always Need 3D to Explain Science?

That’s where things get interesting.

We do both 2D and 3D animations for science.
And many of our clients come in asking for 3D.
Why? Because it looks impressive. Because competitors use it. Because it feels advanced.

But here’s what we often ask them:

“What’s the purpose of the video?”

If the goal is to explain a mechanism of action (MoA) – how a drug binds, enters a cell, or disrupts a molecular pathway – then yes, 3D is incredibly useful. You can show interactions in space, navigate complex geometries, and deliver that crisp, high-tech look.

That’s where a 3D animation studio truly shines.

Where 3D Might Not Be the Best Choice

But what if your goal is something different?

What if you’re trying to:

  • Pitch to investors

  • Build excitement

  • Show the human impact

  • Tell a compelling story in 90 seconds

Then we often recommend 2D instead.

Here’s why:

  • 2D tells stories better. It can quickly move between patients, scientists, and visual metaphors.

  • It’s easier to watch. People are used to 2D from childhood books and explainer videos.

  • It’s faster and more flexible. You can update scenes or tweak the script without starting over.

  • And yes, you can still explain complex science clearly.

A Real Example

We recently lost a project to a competitor.
The client loved 3D and asked for it from the start.
But we recommended 2D because the video was for investors.

And investors don’t need photorealistic molecules.
They need to understand what the company does, how it helps people, and why it’s different.

So we told the client what we truly believed:
2D would be more effective for their goal.

Even if it meant losing the project.
(Here is an example of a 2D animation that got more than 200,000 views on the client’s website.

So, Do You Need a 3D Animation Studio?

Yes – when 3D is the right tool.

For:

  • Mode of Action videos

  • Technical mechanism breakdowns

  • High-end product visualizations

A 3D animation studio gives you the team and quality you need.

But if your goal is to spark investor interest, explain your value, or connect emotionally with a broader audience?

Then 2D is often the smarter choice.

And we’ll tell you honestly what works best for your situation.
Because at Life Science Animation, we don’t just make beautiful videos – we help you reach your goals.

Need help deciding between 2D and 3D for your science video?
We do both. And we’ll give you a clear recommendation – based on what you actually need, not what looks fancy.