In a media saturated world full of videos, sound bytes, and social media buzzes; getting your message across is now more challenging than ever before. Whiteboard animation affords you illustrated narrative that increases retention, comprehension and engagement, which makes it a valuable marketing tool.
Whiteboard animation or explainer videos are the new trend for cost effective communication. Its a lean and cheap storytelling technique that keeps your viewers really engaged. The illusion of having a story evolve right before your very eyes makes it really captivating. Quite a number of small businesses are maximising the use of this technique on their social media platforms to inform, entertain and ultimately make sales. You too can reach prospective clients by producing a whiteboard animation which cost you next to nothing.
MUST HAVE
A well voiced script
A DSLR camera or good HD phone camera
A plain white bond paper
A hard pencil (H grade) and eraser.
A black marker
White board for presentations (optional)
Basic knowledge of Adobe Aftereffects
Basic walkthrough.
This should be a video tutorial but I’m feeling a tad lazy on this one. Well, I can put up a video tutorial if I get enough requests. Here we go.
A quick warning, if you’re not a professional illustrator don’t try the whiteboard technique, using your pencil on paper makes it easier, that way you can erase any mistake and redraw. For the purpose of this tutorial we will be sticking to that method.
Neatly place your white paper at the centre of the table.
Play your recorded audio and quickly draw out catchy phrases from the audio using your hard H grade pencil, erase and redraw if you notice any mistake, continue this throughout the length of the audio file. Make sure to start at the centre of white paper and continuously draw out the sequence till it fills the paper uniformly. At this stage getting the all the drawing is all that matters, you should pause audio frequently in order to get it drawn properly, DONT RUSH.
Image courtesy slurpystudios
Keep your drawings close to each other, you might want to link with arrows, dotted lines, curves etc just to keep the story linked. When you’re pleased with how the story is being laid out, you are ready to record.
Position and frame your camera to directly face the white paper from the top, make sure to fill the entire frame of your camera with the white paper. Make sure paper edges are not showing. You might need to set up a rig for the camera.
The next step is the most crucial stage of inking out what you’ve already drawn with your hard pencil while recording the reveal as you do so. You’ll be drawing really fast so as to keep up with the audio playback. You can fix the timing and speed in post just try your best to keep up pace.
When you’re done recording, head straight to Aftereffects for cleanups, edits and polishing.
In aftereffects, import your clip. Create new comp and drag your clip in. You’ll be using Time remapping effects to make everything match up all nice and clean. I don’t want to make this an Aftereffect tutorial, but with what you have recorded, you are 60-70% done, if well done. The software part is just a sweetener to the presentation.
Keep your video short, sharp and sweet. It becomes pretty boring when its too lengthy, you can add a little bit of humour to the story.
If you’re not getting a hang of it or you need that professional touch and finish, drop a line or email okusidaniels@gmail.com
Examples of Whiteboard Animations
Insurance video
Examples of Whiteboard Animations
Insurance video
Standing against peer-pressure
Written by Unknown
