Animated infographics can be a powerful tool for conveying complex information in a visually appealing and engaging way, allowing for better comprehension and retention. Here are some tips for creating effective animated infographics and samples demonstrating these concepts:
Presentation basics: the time-tested tenets for formal presentations work for animated infographics as well: know your audience, keep it simple (one concept at a time), use simple language (avoid jargon as much as possible), and keep on-screen reading to a minimum.
Example: Strava // Year In Sport by Giant Ant https://vimeo.com/311936927
Make your point: have your storyboards emphasize your point simply and clearly. Be bold. Charts, icons, and textual data should be large and in charge. Use color to make your point pop.
Example: Oil’d by Chris Harmon https://vimeo.com/22655744
Consider using a voice-over or lower thirds to help explain and strengthen concepts: your animation communicates more clearly, and the audience will better retain the information by experiencing it both visually and in a word-based manner.
Example: NTT Data by Colin Jackson https://vimeo.com/clndvdjcksn > click the Load More button > scroll to NTT Data
Use visual metaphors: a standard for motion design, visual metaphors can help illustrate complex concepts in a more intuitive way. Also, visual metaphors are great for creating clever connections between story elements.
Example: Jack Ryan Season 2 Opening Titles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i_Et-drvTQ
Divide a process or idea into phases and build the animation one transition at a time: Video is primarily a scanning modality, and this approach guides an audience along a thought process or series of results, which makes the content snackable.
Example: Artolution Timeline by Pentagram https://vimeo.com/605952518
The medium is the message: use animation to visually illustrate concepts and ideas that may be difficult to explain in words alone. Animations can help demonstrate processes, show cause-and-effect relationships succinctly, and aid comprehension of complex charts.
Example: Keplertek | AI & Robotics Ecosystem https://vimeo.com/279041273