this thing is short! why ain’t it cheap?A beginners guide to making an infographic.

www.thisgoodidea.co.uk

Infographics are on the rise, these short (usually) animated films that take something that is (usually) dull and long and makes them into a short (usually) funny easily digestible cartoon.

So ... If you don’t have time to read the whole of Das Kapital you can just watch the 3 minute info graphic, and still have time to start your own revolution before breakfast.

But if info graphics are short, why aren’t they quick to make or cheap. The reason is hinted at in this quote from Mark Twain to his publisher when he was asked to do a quick short piece of writing. “No can do two pages, two days. Can do 30 pages, two days. Need 30 days to do two pages.”Thing is, brevity takes time to get right.

I directed and produced an infographic animation about the the United Nation’s Convention of the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women or CEDAW for short. Producing a short engaging film about a UN convention was challenging but we managed it. I made it with mediaco-op.See the results here: CEDAW ANIMATION

It was great learning experience, so afterwards in the spirt of increasing the sum of human knowledge I wrote up the various steps of getting the thing made. I thought it would be handy guide for making other info graphics. Its also a handy come back for the question “this thing is short, so why ain’t it cheap?

Step 1: Project outline. Working with the client to shape their message, audience method of distribution and call to action, platforms to be used, genre. etc

• Outline the key messages (ideally this should be three or less)

• Defining the audience (who they are, where they are)

• Which platforms to best use to engage with them. - DVD, internet, presentation

• How will it be used? eg: in presentations, people access the resource in their own time. 

• Outline genre: info-graphic, animation, live action/ animation mix, etc. 

• The desired reactions to the resource ie: behavioral changes and calls to action

Client signs off on: key messages, audience profile, platforms to be used, desired reactions and calls to action. 

Step 2: Look and Feel Proposal

Working with client to create out line proposals look and feel treatments.

Showing Roughly what will the final project look like, what music will be used, what is the general feeling for the project (it will be like an ad, a kids cartoon, an action adventure film ..)

Client feeds back of proposal outlines. Client signs off on final proposal for look and feel. 

>>>> this thing is

short! why ain’t it

cheap?

Step 3: Refined designs.

Working on design for characters, defining typography, deigning the story world (the back ground in which the characters work).

Client feeds back on designs and makes suggestions. Client signs off final designs for characters. 

Step 4: Script Writing

Writing the script for the project. For 2 mins this is around 270 - 300 words although it is often a good idea to use fewer as this leaves space for “animation”.

Client feeds back on versions of the script until the final one is achieved. Client signs off final script. 

Step 5: Storyboarding

Key points of the script are sketched, this can also include key bits of action.

Client feeds back on the storyboard. Client signs off on storyboard. 

Step 6: Text and Logo sign off

Any text and logos to be used in the film must be approved by the client and delivered to us in a digital form (eg: a word document/ pdf). This must be proofed by the client and signed of. The text provided in this document will be cut and pasted from this document into the animation project. 

Step 7: Recording guide voice over.

Guide voice over is recorded of the signed off script. Recorded with an indication of intonation, delivery and speed. This is usually done in our office by a non-actor. 

Client signs off guide voiceover for content. 

Step 8: Animatic

The storyboard is scanned and then edited as video to the dummy voiceover, usually with indicative music. This give and indication of timings and highlights if there are any structural problems. 

Client signs off animatic

Step 9: Audition and selection of Voiceover talent. 

Finding the right voice. Based on the treatment, Find three voices, and send samples to the client and the client can select one. 

Client signs choice of V/O artist

Step 10: Sourcing of final music.

Source music tracks for the video. sometimes we do this at the animatic stage as it gives a clearer idea of what the final piece will sound like. 

Client signs off music choices. 

Step 11: Creation of Animation test scenes. 

Creation of a couple of scenes of the animation rendered in its final quality, cut with the guide track. This gives an indication of how the characters (if there are any) will move, and how the transitions between scenes will work.

Client feeds back and any changes are made. Client signs off test scenes

Step 12: Recording of final voiceover, mixing with music. 

We like to have the final voice over prior to engaging in final animation, this means the animator can really refine the animation to fit the content. 

Client signs off final V/O

Step 13: animation

The Animator works to produce the animation. If possible these can be delivered in stages for final feed back. Client can make very small suggestions for changes although at this stage ideally there should be none. 

Client signs off stages and final animation. 

Step 14: Tweaking audio, Adding sound effects

The final animation created by the animator is combined with the voiceover and music. A final mix is carried out and sound effects are added to enhance elements of the film.  

Step 15: Final approval pass by the client.

Final viewing with the client. 

Client signs off final film with all animation, music, sound effects and v/o in place. 

Step 16: output for final agreed delivery. 

Following on from final delivery the film can be formatted for other forms of playback, inc: DVD, windows media for powerpoint, web delivery.

Step 17: Relax, find more work.

CEDAW ANIMATION

This Good Idea provide digital communications solutionsThe digital world offers a vast array of ways to engage, involve and

communicate with clients, staff and customers.

This Good Idea help people, organisations and businesses to understand the potential of digital communications, to outline their

needs and then make it happen.

If you are new to the wonderful world of digital or an old hand contact us, we can help.

Paul Cameronpaul@thisgoodidea.co.uk

this good idea.co.uk

CEDAW animation was commissioned by ENGENDER. I made it with mediaco-op. The animator was Jenifer Arnott. See the results here: CEDAW ANIMATION