When people ask about the inspiration for our style of videos, I often say that our videos reflect the way that I wish I had learned in school. My learning style wasn't a good match for the way I was taught.
Recently we completed a custom video project with the Buck Institute for Education (BIE) that focuses on a Project Based Learning or "PBL", and boy did it open my eyes. I can now see that I needed teachers who put PBL to work. I needed to get up from my desk and engage. I needed to work on a real-world issue and use creativity and problem solving - what are known as 21st century skills these days.
The video below is an introduction to PBL and how it impacted a science teacher's students and helped their community.
It was a pleasure working with Alfred and the team at BIE and I hope this video will help them get more people interested in PBL. You can learn more at BIE.org.
I remember when I first saw an Epipheo (what they call their video creations). I think it was for Google Wave. The laid back style, the humor and creativity, the animated storytelling all made for a great explanatory experience. It wasn’t surpising to see them go from making a couple of videos to being hired by Facebook, Yelp, SAP, etc. They are very good at what they do.
Here are a couple of examples (see their whole portfolio)
Like all members of the Explainer Network, they have a listing on our website that points business their way. We all see incredible potential in short animated videos and the Explainer Network is one way for us all to learn from each other and promote the value of our little industry.
If you need a short animated video for your website, check out the Explainer Network.
Once again this year, Sachi and I are concerned about your brains. To avoid any problems, please watch this video:
This video is now our 4th most viewed with 1.25 million views and 4,600 comments. If you're looking looking for answers on zombies, Darren did a bit of research recently.
Also, bonus zombie video for the song "Re: Your Brains" from one of our favorites, Jonathan Coulton.
But seriously, watch out for your brains this Halloween!
BitTorrent, which offers a faster way to download files from the Internet, has had a serious explanation problem. It’s one of the most used and least understood products on the Web. After working with BitTorrent on a video, it’s easy to see why this is the case - the inner-workings of BitTorrent are complex. It exists in a world that defies comparison. Millions of users know it works exceptionally well, but explaining why and how it works is another story.
This video was a challenge and we were lucky to have the time and attention of Brett Nishi, Product Director at BitTorrent, who served as our guide. It was a joy to work with Brett and we’re really excited to see how they’ve put the video to work on their website.
Here’s how the company has integrated the video into BitTorrent.com:
1/29 Explainers (a member of our Explainer Network) has been doing a lot of great work lately and I'd like to highlight a couple of their recent projects. Nick Seuser heads up the team in the Bay Area and I asked him to provide a bit of info about the projects:
Built for Facebook and Twitter, and with over 200,000 views in just 5 weeks, our spot for Flock’s new version of their social web browser has been successful in focusing attention on the award-winning “#1 most popular non-mobile desktop application on Facebook!”
With such keynote speakers as Bill Clinton, Condoleeza Rice, Annie Lennox and Ashley Judd, this piece premiered at the GBC Conference in June, 2010. The idea was to demonstrate how easy it is - with just a few clicks - for companies and employees to save lives while getting business done.
Good stuff. If you're in the market for a video that explains your company, service or product, check out the Explainer Network of video producers, or contact Common Craft.
Today Visa is rolling out a new product called Rightcliq that makes online shopping easier and more social. It works in your browser like a bookmark or plug-in. I'll let the video below explain the rest. You'll find it on the Visa website here.
About this production
Like so many online products, Rightcliq by Visa has an explanation problem that deserves special attention. A solid explanation is key for people to see the value and feel connected to what it does. For example, people have been shopping online for years. We have our favorite sites and feel comfortable with the process. The online shopping experience is well established in our minds. Because it's so well established, we may even be skeptical of change - and therein lies the challenge.
How do you convince someone that something they already love could be even better? Our challenge with this video was to help the audience identify with the problems of online shopping (products on multiple sites, lack of input from friends, payment hassles, package tracking) and then show how Rightcliq solves them - and the key is to "show." Explaining this kind of product is difficult with words or even pictures, but a story in video form about a person "Jennifer" who experiences Rightcliq - that's where the product comes to life. As always, our goal is for the viewer to say "I feel that way!" about the problems and "I want to use that!" to the solutions.
We really enjoyed working with the Rightcliq team at Visa. They were not only very professional and amazingly organized, but fun - something we value highly.
