How to make stickman explainer videos with AI

What makes stickman explainers work, what they suit, and a step-by-step way to make them with AI.

What it is

Stickman explainers use very simple characters to walk through one idea, usually with a voiceover or on-screen question. The drawing is deliberately plain so all the attention goes to the idea.

Why it works

Simple visuals are quick to read on a small screen, and a story with a question at the top gives people a reason to wait for the answer. Because the characters are cheap to produce, you can test many hooks instead of betting on one video.

Best for

• Courses, ebooks and coaching
• Apps and software that need explaining
• Finance, science and history topics
• Series with repeatable episodes

How to make it

1. Pick one question your buyer already asks.
2. Write a script that opens with that question and pays it off at the end.
3. Split the script into one scene per sentence.
4. Generate each scene with the same character description and background style.
5. Add voiceover and captions, then cut any scene that doesn't move the story.
6. End on one clear next step, not a list of them.

Starter prompt

Simple 2D stick figure with a round head and thick black lines, standing at a whiteboard, flat pastel background, clean vector style, no shading, consistent character.

Quick specs

Length

30–90 seconds, or longer for a series

Ratio

9:16

Pacing

A new visual every 2–4 seconds

Audio

Clear voiceover with captions

Common mistakes

• Explaining three ideas in one video
• Changing the character's look between scenes
• Putting the point at the end with no hook at the start
• Making every video feel identical, which also limits monetization on some platforms

FAQ