the hard cell: writing for animation in digital learning

The Hard Cell:Writing for animation indigital learning

brightwavegroup.com

Elly DaviesSenior Learning Designer

Once upon a time…

Disney & Warner

Apps CGIFlash

Tricks and toys

Silent film

High End & Low End

Production cost

Brightwave examples

What are they good for?

• Demonstrate mechanics

• Explain abstract concepts

• Show relationships

• Set out sequences

• Engage emotions

• Tell a story

Animation helps to…

Multi-device learning

What aren’t they good for?

• ‘Magically’ making dry content interesting

• Long and complex

o Counter with chunking and user control

• Accessibility

• Being a wallflower

Not a magic bullet!

Watch out!

• Confuse

• Distract

• Reduce accessibility

• Ruin your street cred ;-)

Animations without purpose can:

• Too long

• Too many words

• Too little/much action

• Too many cooks

Pitfalls

Writing tips

1. Know your limits

2. Know the outcome

3. Tell a story

#4: Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of that, ___. Until finally ___.

Pixar storytelling rules

-@lawnrocket

4. Think visually

5. Do the impossible!

6. Sound ideas

7. Keep it tight!

Looking ahead…

Thank youAny questions?

brightwavegroup.com