Create multiple animation interactions automatically to present data in an impactful way
What is an Automated Animation?
Automated animations are designed for data visualization. The technical wizardry is easiest to explain by running through how the product works.
Firstly, we create one base animated video to visualise your key starting data in a dynamic and engaging way. Different snippets of animation are then produced to sub-in for when your data changes. Like animating the multi-verse, we predict the different potential outcomes of your data and animate for these outcomes. The base animation is then synced up to a spreadsheet. When the data in the sheet updates, a new and updated iteration of the animation is created at the click of a button.
Your animation updates as and when your data changes. The idea behind the concept is for companies to be able to either i) generate new iterations of an animated video to present on-going data, or ii) to automate through data categories (markets, demographics etc.) and create a different iteration for each data set.
At the onboarding stage, a bespoke library of animated assets is created for individual clients that mirror their branding, matches their ‘tone of voice’ and reflects their companies’ core values and culture. They are based on agreed ‘scenes’ which will remain the same, for example, this could be for the number of ‘likes’ for a social media campaign, ‘NPS scores’, ‘customer satisfaction scores’. As the data changes, our automation software pulls in the relevant visuals for that specific data.
Once this onboarding stage is set up, assuming the same ‘scenes’ each time, then all companies need to do is change the data and out comes a new animation.
How our clients have used automated animation
Why you should present data in a visual way?
Data by its very nature needs to be created and communicated quickly. It needs to get cut-through, create an impact and generate action.
Presenting slide after slide of charts is not enough. It doesn’t generate that human emotional connection, it’s not memorable. There is a lot of evidence that using visual techniques helps to do the following:
- Makes information memorable – visuals stick in long term memory when concepts are paired with meaningful images. Visuals help people make sense out of the content and direct attention. One study has found that after 3 days, a user retained only 10-20 percent of written or spoken information but almost 65% of visual information.
- Transmits messages faster – according to the Visual Teaching Alliance, the brain can see images that last for just 13 milliseconds. Our eyes can register 36000 visual messages per hour, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual, visuals are processed 60,000x faster in the brain than text. 40% of nerve fibres are linked to the retina.
- Improves understanding – visuals cause a faster and stronger reaction than words. They help users engage with the content and such emotional reactions influence information retention
Why use animation over static images?
Animation has benefits over static images. It is dynamic, it humanises key insights thereby generating emotional connections. Animations combine moving visuals, simplified text, sounds to create an engaging and memorable viewing experience
Animations realise the impossible, are good for summarising, and are a great visualisation tool. For more information about animations read this blog: 6 Ways to Use Animation for Business.
How do you produce an animation?
There are different types of animations including 2D and 3D. Companies might choose stock footage or to commission their own bespoke ones.
View our animation showreel to see more examples.
There needs to be consideration around the tone of voice, branding, colours, message, scripting and style in general. Importantly an animation needs to reflect an organisation’s image and its values. Messages need to be clear and the objectives defined.
For automated animations, companies need to think about the data they are conveying as the style could differ wildly depending on the complexity and more importantly the final audience. The types of data need to be decided on at the very start, that way we can plan for all eventualities and create the very best data visualisation possible.
