Psychologist Richard Wiseman and his team found people who watched a whiteboard animation—animations where images are drawn from scratch on a virtual whiteboard—could recall 15% more information than people who watched a “talking head” video footage.

This result can mean a higher likelihood of viewers purchasing a product they saw on one of your videos some days ago or simply recalling the brand when discussing the video’s content with a friend.
You can create an engaging whiteboard animation video regardless of your animation knowledge in 7 steps.

1. Define your video’s intent

Defining your whiteboard animation video’s intent allows your team to align each step of the production process with a given goal. Whether to educate your target audience or to present a new product, the intent is a north star.

You can define your video’s intent by gathering the video’s stakeholders—videographers, animators, voiceover actors, managers—and determining the goal that would serve the company the most.

For example, sales might be the video’s intent for a new startup. But for a corporation, it might be to teach their audience about an industry trend. So choose yours based on your needs.

2. Write a script

A script covers your whiteboard animation video’s lines, the person who’ll speak them, and a description of what should be happening on-screen at every moment. If you animate without a script, you risk ending up with a disorganized video that doesn’t accomplish your intent.

The first step to create a script is to brainstorm your story’s structure. You can then describe the events that’ll take place and the characters involved. These two steps are your foundation.

From there, write the lines your character will say during these events alongside a rough visual description of what’ll happen. For example, if your line is about how your character works 24/7, you could add a note that says: “include a sun that goes from left to right.”

3. Design a storyboard

A storyboard is a format that mixes your script and your line’s visual representation, thus showing how your whiteboard animation will look.

Teams can use storyboards to ensure the project’s visuals match both the script and the intent instead of animating a project that doesn’t benefit the brand.

You can draw your storyboard on a piece of paper, whiteboard, or an animation tool like Vyond. Regardless of the medium, storyboards are static sketches of what’ll happen. So draw the only main activity of every scene into the storyboard’s squares instead of squishing in every detail.

Once you draw on every square, include the scene’s corresponding script lines so your team can verify if the story is cohesive. Or, in some cases, check if it’s missing a scene, prop, or character to make sense.

4. Pick a font that suits your brand

Viewers associate your font with your brand, just like they associate your logo, brand colors, and visual style. Therefore, it’s crucial to pick a font that suits the tone and style you want to convey.

For example, a brand animating for c-suite viewers might use serif types—those with a decorative stroke at the tip of the letters—to communicate formality and confidence. Meanwhile, a brand wanting to look friendly may go with a sans serif font—those without a stroke at the end of the letters.

You can use font sites like Google Fonts or DaFont to pick a legible font that suits your brand. You can then import these fonts into Vyond Studio and even make them move to maintain the viewer’s attention.

5. Create your characters and scenes

Now that your team validated the project’s trajectory, it’s time to recreate your storyboard’s idea in your animation tool.

First, create the characters that will say your script’s lines. You can base these characters on individuals or create identities from scratch. For example, you can use Vyond to create characters of any age group and then choose from more than 300 garments to create the voice actor’s outfit.

The next step is to add props that match your storyboard’s description of the background or stage. So if, for instance, your character is a banker, add bank-related props from our prop or Common Craft library: exchange rate boards, a safe, or a vault.

Vyond users can follow Rued’s video above to learn how to create scenes and characters from scratch.

6. Record a clear voiceover

A professional script and animated whiteboard video aren’t enough to achieve your project’s intent if the viewer can’t understand your voice artists’ lines. So it’s essential to record a clear voiceover.

Your project’s budget plays a vital role in how you record. For example, a team with a large budget can rent a sound-treated studio to guarantee the highest audio quality possible. On the other hand, teams with a small budget will spend a significant amount of time finding a room with perfect conditions, adjusting the audio recording settings, and ensuring proper mic placement.

Once you organize your recording space, it’s time to record. Using a smartphone, microphone, or audio recorder, let your voice artist read the lines in the tone and style you want. You can then export the audio files and upload them to your whiteboard animation software.

In Vyond Studio, you can drag and drop the audio files to your library. You can then assign voice lines to your characters so their mouths mimic your voice artist’s voice.

7. Add visual effects to stand out

Visual effects allow your work to stand out among competitors that also use whiteboard animation. In addition, these effects make your work recognizable, increasing the likelihood of a viewer remembering your brand and what you offer.

Typically, whiteboard animations are black and white. Therefore, you can use an animation tool like Vyond to change the color of some props and scenarios that appear in your video. And finally, stand out visually.

Create your first whiteboard animation video with Vyond

Vyond Studio offers dozens of props and characters you can use for your upcoming whiteboard animation video. Because of our intuitive interface and templates, anyone can start animating their storyboard’s idea without previous animation experience.

Create your whiteboard animation today

The post How to Create a Whiteboard Animation Video that Retains your Viewers’ Attention (In 7 Steps) appeared first on Vyond.

Neuroscientists from MIT ran an experiment, finding that “the human brain can process entire images that the eye sees for as little as 13 milliseconds.” Video infographics present alphanumerical data in graphics with sound effects, background music, and movement. Since they use graphics, they benefit from the brain’s capacity to process images faster than words, increasing the likelihood that viewers can recall what you are showing them.

The following six steps let you create an engaging infographic video—a video that revolves around an infographic or one where an infographic supports a video’s thesis. Each step gets you closer to creating videos that keep viewers watching and encourage them to buy your products or change their mindset.

1. Gather and validate your infographic’s data

The purpose of an infographic is to present data clearly. But it’s crucial to confirm whether the data we gather is reliable. According to Edelman, 81% of consumers report that being capable of trusting a brand to do what’s right is a deal-breaker in buying decisions. When you use reliable data, you position your brand as a credible source of expertise in an industry, helping you gain and keep customers.

The data you want to feature in your infographic determines where you’ll find it.

Look to your CRM or other internal data sources for reliable numbers you can justify. Since you own this data, featuring it in your infographic means readers will see you as a reliable primary source of industry insights.

Since you collect internal data, you know it’s reliable. But that’s not always the case with external data. Journals and websites often misinterpret quotes or create roundups of outdated stats. To find reliable data, look for statistics no older than five years. These statistics should come from the source who collected them, so you understand the context behind the data.

2. Select the chart that best represents your data

Every chart specializes in presenting different data.

Scatter plots are great for representing how datasets from two variables react to one another. But they are too complex to show how a variable grew in a year. In this instance, a simple line chart would be enough. Choosing the chart that best suits your intent and amount of data allows you to create a simple infographic that your audience can learn from.

Vyond’s End-of-Year Reports template uses a pie chart to highlight some of Zodio’s key audiences over the last year. The speaker brings attention to the two most significant segments as the chart appears on screen to ensure viewers don’t miss this data.

The amount of data you have and your goal determine the chart you’ll use. If you want to highlight a statistic, a simple counter chart is enough. Meanwhile, those comparing many variables can use a vertically stacked bar chart or a pie chart.

Vyond offers seven types of charts. You can add them through the Charts menu in the top left corner of Vyond Studio. Then, you can change their values, ways of representing data, and colors using the Chart Data and Chart Settings menu in the top right corner of Vyond’s interface.

3. Define your target persona

Defining your persona helps you create a video infographic with data that customers find valuable and relatable. Greater personalization makes the video more interesting for the viewer, making it more likely that they’ll share the video.

You can define your target persona in three steps.

First, learn about your clients’ demographic information, like ages, hobbies, and routines. This data lets you spot people who’ll find your product or knowledge helpful in a crowd. You can uncover this data by asking customers about it with a call or survey. Client-facing colleagues, like those from your sales team, can also share this data.

Second, ask clients or colleagues facing them how they have tried to solve the problem that your infographic addresses. This stage will teach you about alternative solution methods clients have used. You can later use this information to create infographics proving why your product is superior than your competitors’.

Third, look for the most prevalent traits and create a fictional persona based on concurrent traits. For example; a productivity tool targeting people in college can use the following persona: Mike, an athletic, third-culture 20-year-old, striving to be the best in his class without neglecting his friends.

4. Write your script

You can use scripts to organize when each voice line or event happens. A script also allows you to provide descriptions of what’s happening, so people understand your intent for the scene. Planning these elements lets you write a story cohesive with your persona, getting you one step closer to achieving your video’s goals.

Start your script by outlining the lessons or topics you want your video infographic to discuss in bullet points. Then, write the information viewers need to understand the infographic’s data. These first two steps help you ideate the background knowledge required to comprehend the value of your video.

It’s not impossible to forget about a foundational concept needed to understand a topic when you are an expert. So, ask for feedback from colleagues from other departments. Their unfamiliarity with your infographic’s data and video topic will help them spot scenes that are too complex, unclear, or vague. These are the scenes that your target audience might also find confusing.

Next, flesh out what will happen during each scene and the exact words your speaker will say. The script lines don’t have to be lengthy, as viewers engage less with videos after the two-minute mark. But the lines should be complete and use simple language so that everyone can understand and find value in them.

5. Design a storyboard

A storyboard is a framework to draw or illustrate how a video’s story will unfold.

You can use storyboards to sketch what will happen before, during, and after your infographic appears on-screen. Then, you can use this asset to determine the most coherent placement for your infographic based on your teaching or selling goals.

Storyboards comprise many squares with lines below or next to them. To use one, draw the events happening during a scene on each square. Next, write the scene’s corresponding lines below each square to check if the script line is clear enough to explain the scene.

You can sketch your storyboard on a piece of paper or print our template.

6. Add motion paths

Motion paths are visual effects that move or change the size of your infographic for a certain amount of time.

When you animate an infographic next to a speaker or other information, you direct the audience’s attention to the data you are presenting.

For example; the Goal Progress Thermometer story and infographic template uses Motion Paths to show the company’s progress in its goal to save trees.

If the infographic is the only element on the screen, motion still helps you keep viewers watching by stimulating their eyes to look at different areas of the screen. For example; the sliding effect of the template above keeps viewers expecting the result of the company’s progress. A static number could also present this number. But it would make it easier for viewers to look at it for one second and look elsewhere.

You can add a motion path using Vyond Studio:

1. Select the chart you want to animate.
2. Click the Motion Path icon in the top right corner and pick your favorite Motion Path.
3. Adjust the timing on the same menu.

You can then click the Preview button on the top right corner of the screen to see how everything looks.

Create an animated video infographic using Vyond

Video infographics are more effective at sharing data that viewers can recall than text-based slides or talking head videos. They also meet employees’ and consumers’ desire to watch video content from management and brands, respectively.

You can use Vyond to create engaging animated video infographics even if you are a beginner at graphic design and infographic video makers. Our set of tools lets you choose between seven pre-designed charts you can add and customize in a few clicks.

You can also use our high-quality video templates to get your animated infographics displayed on your audience’s favorite social media platform or website in less time.

Start a free trial

The post How to Make Infographics Videos in 6 Actionable Steps appeared first on Vyond.

We recently spoke with Paul Howey, Co-founder and CEO of TalkRoute, a Chicago-based startup re-designing the way small businesses receive incoming calls. TalkRoute used Vyond to make an explainer video, front and center on its homepage — and we wanted to get some feedback on the experience.

Paul said he was familiar with Vyond before he set about to create the video and that, since his company was a small business and a startup, he “wanted to use the tools that his customers did, instead of hiring an outside company.”

Paul set out with a $500 budget.

The first thing he did was purchase a Vyond GoPremium Plan for $79. He then, in collaboration with his staff, worked on the script for about a week. This was a high-visibility project and they wanted to be deliberate and get it exactly right.

He then went into the Vyond studio and made the movie itself. Working with care, he said the video took “2 or 3 solid days.” Some folks work a bit faster, but when you’re marketing your baby to the world on your homepage it’s worth the investment of time.

When the script and the video visuals were set, Paul used his excess budget to hire a voiceover professional. Paul’s approach was fascinating; he read several studies showing that consumers are more apt to purchase goods and services from voices they are familiar with. So he therefore set out to find a voice that was extremely popular.

He tracked down Mike O’Brian, who’s done voice work for giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Coke, Sprint, and Facebook. He paid for the quality — and exhausted what remained of his budget — but felt it was more than worth it. The voice sounds really awesome.

Next Paul sagely used our friends at Wistia to host the video on TalkRoute’s site. He loved Wistia’s handsome interface and the ability to get instant data on how the video performs.

And that was pretty much it. For about $500 TalkRoute created a professional, animated explainer video. Paul even wrote a blog post about the experience.

Looking back on his decision to use Vyond, Paul says “We are growing as a start up, and we were at the point where an explainer video like this could lend to our credibility. And it turned out great.” Take a look at the video, above.

About Vyond

GoAnimate is now Vyond. Learn more about the changes. 

Vyond allows people of all skill levels in all industries and job roles to create dynamic and powerful media. With features that go beyond moving text and images, you can build character-driven stories or compelling data visualizations that engage audiences and deliver results.

Start making your own videos today. Sign up for a free 14-day trial and attend our weekly tour of the Vyond Studio.

The post [Case Study] TalkRoute makes an explainer video with Vyond appeared first on Vyond.

Here’s a snippet:

“If you know how to click, drag and drop, you can create a video using GoAnimate. The quality of your video will depend on content marketing skills such as story telling, your ability to identify niche audience concerns and more. So while it’s an inexpensive tool for creating a relatively professional looking animated video – results will vary.”

Read the whole piece here on Smarter Shift. 

The post Tool Review: GoAnimate For Video Content Creation appeared first on Vyond.

WeVideo is dedicated to make video creation easy for business owners and marketers everywhere. With our new GoAnimate integration, you can combine animated video clips with live action.

“Easier said than done,” you say? Laurent Gorse, from WeVideo, put together this video blog to show how easy video becomes with WeVideo and GoAnimate. You can tell right away that this partnership is going to yield some pretty interesting vids…

The post Combine Animated Video Clips with Live Action Using WeVideo appeared first on Vyond.

Here’s a snippet:

“GoAnimate es una apuesta bastante novedosa dentro del mundo audiovisual. Es la opción número 1 en el mundo en autocreación 2D. Se trata de una página web que nos permite crear animaciones 2D con una calidad aceptable y de una forma inmediata. Nos ofrece un servicio que dispone tanto de modalidad gratuita como de modalidad premium. Para hacer una prueba sobre su funcionamiento y comprobar el resultado que nos puede ofrecer no necesitamos formar parte de la membresía, pero obviamente esta opción cuenta con algunas limitaciones. En primer lugar no podremos descargar nuestras creaciones (mientras que en el servicio premium podremos descargarlas en calidad HD), y además no podemos personalizar nuestros personajes tendremos que adaptarnos al banco que nos ofrece la propia página, pero si somos premium sí que podremos.”

Read the whole piece here on Creativos Online. 

About Vyond

GoAnimate is now Vyond. Learn more about the changes. 

Vyond allows people of all skill levels in all industries and job roles to create dynamic and powerful media. With features that go beyond moving text and images, you can build character-driven stories or compelling data visualizations that engage audiences and deliver results.

Start making your own videos today. Sign up for a free 14-day trial and attend our weekly tour of the Vyond Studio.

The post GoAnimate Review in Creativos Online appeared first on Vyond.

Guess what…we listened!

Now you can create your own Whiteboard Animation characters!

You will find adult characters and kid characters with a bunch of outfit options.

We hope you enjoy animating your video’s next big star!

As always, let us know if you have suggestions for the site. Shoot us an email, Tweet at us, or send us a message on Facebook.

Happy animating!

The post New Features: Introducing the Whiteboard Animation Character Creator appeared first on Vyond.

Now you can spend even more time in them…GoAnimate style!

Animate your Business Friendly and Whiteboard Animation videos with our new airport action sets.

Check out this video before you check in!

As always, let us know if you have suggestions for the site. Shoot us an email, Tweet at us, or send us a message on Facebook.

Happy animating!

About Vyond

GoAnimate is now Vyond. Learn more about the changes. 

Vyond allows people of all skill levels in all industries and job roles to create dynamic and powerful media. With features that go beyond moving text and images, you can build character-driven stories or compelling data visualizations that engage audiences and deliver results.

Start making your own videos today. Sign up for a free 14-day trial and attend our weekly tour of the Vyond Studio.

The post New Assets: Introducing Business Friendly and Whiteboard Animation Airport Action Sets appeared first on Vyond.

Here’s a snippet:

“Working in a startup often means long hours, bad coffee and a harsh learning curve which forces you to learn from your failures. It means that your budget isn’t all that big and that no expense is taken for granted. Practically, that means that often video is considered a luxury that your company cannot presently afford. This is a mistake. Creating a video and specifically an animated video is something your company needs.”

Read the whole piece here on Business 2 Community. 

The post 4 Reasons Your Startup Needs an Animated Video appeared first on Vyond.

But we know you’re in a rush to produce and publish more, so we’re happy to say the road to getting your videos into your courses just got a whole lot smoother.

Now you can export your GoAnimate videos directly to your Lectora Online library, the leading courseware authoring platform.

To get started, watch this video tutorial for the how-to:

Here’s the breakdown in text form as well:

• Go to your video’s page on GoAnimate and select “Share / Export” or the “<” symbol;
• Then click on the Lectora Online icon (look for the letter “L”);
• Enter your Lectora Online login info and hit “Activate Feature” to connect your accounts. You will only have to do this once;
• When you’ve enabled the feature, you’ll get another popup. Click on “Convert Video” to export it to your Lectora Online media library;
• The conversion process can take between few minutes to a few hours. When it’s ready, you’ll receive a notification to the email address attached to your GoAnimate account. The video will automatically show up in your Lectora Online media library;
• Once you receive the email, visit https://lectoraonline.com/app and log in;
• Create a new title or open an existing one;
• Once in the application, mouse over to “Insert” and click on the video icon;
• Open the “Import” drop down and select “Media Library”;
• Make sure you are in “My Media”, click on the video you want to insert, then click on the select button;
• Click “OK” to insert the video;
• The video will then be added to your title.

Easy, right? We thought so.

Happy animating from your friends at GoAnimate

The post Export Your GoAnimate Videos To Your Lectora Online Library appeared first on Vyond.