How can you use animation to improve corporate communication design?

1 Choose your animation style

The first step is to decide what kind of animation style suits your message, audience, and purpose. There are many types of animation, such as 2D, 3D, motion graphics, stop motion, whiteboard, or typography. Each style has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the level of realism, simplicity, creativity, and cost you want to achieve. For example, 2D animation is easy to make and edit, but it may not look as realistic or immersive as 3D animation. Motion graphics are great for data visualization and branding, but they may not convey emotions or stories as well as whiteboard or typography animation.

2 Plan your animation script and storyboard

The second step is to write a clear and concise script and storyboard for your animation. A script is a written document that outlines the narration, dialogue, sound effects, and music for your animation. A storyboard is a visual representation of your script, showing the key scenes, actions, transitions, and camera angles for your animation. Both the script and the storyboard should be aligned with your communication objectives, tone, and style. They should also be reviewed and approved by your stakeholders before you move on to the next step.

3 Design your animation assets and elements

The third step is to design the assets and elements that you will use in your animation, such as characters, backgrounds, icons, logos, fonts, colors, and shapes. These assets and elements should be consistent with your brand guidelines and animation style. They should also be optimized for the size, resolution, and format of your animation platform. You can use existing assets and elements from online libraries or create your own using software tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or After Effects.

4 Animate your assets and elements

The fourth step is to animate your assets and elements using software tools like Adobe Animate, After Effects, or Premiere Pro. You can use different techniques and effects to create motion, such as keyframes, tweening, easing, transitions, masks, filters, or plugins. You can also add sound effects and music to enhance the mood and impact of your animation. You should test your animation for timing, flow, and quality, and make adjustments as needed.

5 Export and share your animation

The fifth step is to export and share your animation with your target audience. You should choose the appropriate file format, compression, and quality for your animation, depending on the platform and device you want to use. For example, you can use MP4, MOV, or GIF for web and mobile platforms, or PDF or PPT for presentations. You should also consider the file size, loading speed, and compatibility of your animation. You can use online tools like CloudConvert, HandBrake, or Giphy to convert and optimize your animation files.

6 Evaluate and improve your animation

The sixth and final step is to evaluate and improve your animation based on the feedback and results you receive from your audience. You should measure the effectiveness of your animation using metrics like views, likes, shares, comments, conversions, or retention. You should also solicit feedback from your audience using surveys, polls, or interviews. You should analyze the data and feedback to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your animation, and make improvements accordingly.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?