Explainer Video – Design Challenge
2019 | Biotronic
Skills Challenge
Description
I recently took the opportunity to making an explainer video as part of a “design challenge”. As I didn’t have an example of this kind of work in my portfolio and I had some free time, I thought why not.
The brief was basically: explain the product, alleviate fears of surgery.
I decided to avoid the clinical, highly technical look of medical illustration where organs are rendered in all their meaty visceral detail and take a more comic-book approach.
Bizarrely, It turns out that the main stakeholder actually wanted to promote these devices as elective surgery that health young people, or athletes might undergo so they could monitor their hearts…
This video is for portfolio purposes only and does not represent actual product information.
Production Team
Mark Pearce
Making Of
Initial Ideas
Creative process is messy. Especially mine.
I scribble key story points and images on a page, thinking about sequencing and messaging. Exploring ideas until I tie it into narrative I’m happy with.
Script
Now write out the story and refine language.
I like pencils and paper more than digital tools when working on drafts. Your mileage may vary.
Then make an audio recording to start to check timing, and phrasing.
Storyboard
Combine the text and visuals with animation and direction notes for each shot.
Animatic
Now I cut together the storyboard frames and the voice over track. To check timing and story. Make adjustments to both as needed.
Then refine the sketches with actual illustrations. which then become assets and basis for the animation comps.
A Note on Audio
Remember the old adage: “Sound is half the picture.”
That is an adage right? Should be. Without voice, music and foley the animation is empty.
I used adobe audition to balance the levels on my home-made voiceover and to edit the stock music soundtrack to match the scene pacing.
Also my recording studio was a closet hung with heavy blankets….. with only a cell phone for a mic. I think I should indulge in some audio gear!