First off, let us define what an ‘animated’ logo is.
An animated logo is a company’s logo revealed in a creative way. In a way that tells the brand’s story and conveys more than just a neat animation. A good brand logo animation subtly shows what a brand offers. Look at these animated logos below! They are great examples of good logo animations.
These company’s utilized a motion graphic designer (or an entire agency) to bring their visual brand to life. Should you do the same?
Do you want your brand to stand out on a phone screen while someone, a potential customer, is mindlessly scrolling on Instagram or Facebook? It may be time to invest in your brand and get some motion in the social media ocean!
Where can animated logos be used?
Almost anywhere!
2. Social Media Animations
SOAP vs COVID-19, PPWP
Animated videos on social media are more effective than static graphics and photos. By utilizing an animator, companies can convey more information in an effective and engaging manner. Animated content also elevates production value! It shows customers and followers that you are investing in your brand.
Smaller videos such as the one below are great examples of simple content that can be posted anytime!
According to Insivia, every year, mobile video consumption rises by 100%. That means if your brand isn’t using any form of video on their social media, then they are missing a huge market.
3. Advertising and Marketing
Blackstick Facebook Ad, Dura Edge
Including animations in video ads on Facebook is important. Facebook auto plays videos without audio. Including text animations on screen will convey messages even without audio playing. On top of conveying information, the animations will entice a viewer to direct their attention to the video. Motion Graphics are attention grabbing!
Nowadays producing a commercial can be as simple as purchasing stock footage and cutting an ad together. Once you have a video cut together, you can then add motion graphics to really make your brand POP. If you can’t afford to hire a motion graphic designer, there is another option!
Utilize templates and pre-made elements! An awesome website that has a few basic elements is themotionologist.com that also takes requests for specific designs. This website has options at a fraction of the cost of other websites. More advanced websites that come at a higher price are Envato, RocketStock, and Motion Array. Motion graphics are a key element to video and branding. Whether you can hire a freelancer to create animations or you can utilize template websites, it is important to stay on top of trends. Keeping your business trendy and current on social media is extremely important.
Creating video content for your brand is not always the most straightforward, but because of the current global economic situation it is one of the most important elements of a business. If you aren’t familiar with video production, you may find it difficult to make the most out of your content. These steps will serve as an asset to your DIY approach for video content!
A few products / softwares you may need.
Camera.
Perhaps the most important part of making video is a camera. Nowadays you have a camera in your pocket, but if you have access to a higher quality camera such a DSLR you can increase your production value significantly.
Editing Software.
Once you finish filming yourself, shots of your product, or filming your company’s event; you will need a way to piece together your footage into a cohesive sequence, add music, and visuals. There are many paid and free options for video editing software. The best of the best editing softwares are Adobe Premiere Pro CC and Final Cut. Both of these options you must purchase subscriptions to use. My personal preference is Adobe Premiere Pro CC. Although, if you are looking for a more cost-effective option you can try HitFilm Express.
Audio Equipment. (Not required, but makes for way better content!)
Audio is the utmost important part of videos. Even if your footage is out-of-focus, too bright, or poorly framed; your viewers will forgive you for that. What viewers will not forgive you for is poor audio quality! Using a consumer grade microphone can increase your audio quality by a significant amount. There are many options for audio equipment. Micro shotgun mics, condenser mics, and lavalier mics are all viable options depending on how you’d prefer to set up your video.
Once you have gather these 3 essential items, it is time to begin the video content creation process! You have got your idea already, you know what content needs to be included in the video, and now all you have to do is capture it on video!
Step 1. Setting up your shot
Lock down the camera!
Shaky footage can distract your viewers from your message. Use a tripod, stack of books you have definitely read, or a Joby brand tripod to secure your camera. Joby also makes camera phone tripods as well! A quick way to frame and get proper focus on your shot is to use a “stand-in”. A “stand-in” is someone who is about your height that can sit in while you get proper framing and focus for when you sit in for filming the content.
Find light!
Lighting is the best way to make sure you get the most out of whatever camera you are using. Setting up your camera next to a window, lamp or just inside a bright room will give you a properly exposed shot. Be sure to not set up your shot with you a window directly behind you. The best practice is to use available light in your area to light you, the subject! Use the graphic below to mimic your camera set-up depending on your light sources!
Audio Set-up!
If you have additional audio equipment, test and ensure that your camera is recording the audio to your camera. Often times once you attached a mic to your camera you have to go into your camera’s audio settings to enable your microphone. Have your stand-in speak so you can check audio levels. A good rule of thumb is to keep audio between -21db and -6 db.
Even if you do not have any additional audio equipment there are still ways to maximize your audio! Most every camera has its own audio on-board the body of the camera. The on-board audio levels are usually automatically adjusted so you do not have to set audio levels. In order to get the best audio out of on-board audio camera set-ups, you must speak clearly and be positioned close to the camera. Position yourself close enough to the camera, but do not be too close so that you are uncomfortably taking up the whole frame of the video.
Once you have your audio levels set, as well as the your light, and camera locked-down; you are now ready to start filming your content!
Step 2. Shoot your content
Now that your shot is set up and your audio is ready to go. It’s time to hit record!
A simple way to make sure you stay on point and concise is to make an outline of your video and stick to those talking points. Create the outline on a paper or a phone, either way works, just as long as you have it within arms reach while filming. Keeping it near you makes it easy to glance over it and continue filming once you are in a grove!
Be sure to not be reading your outline or notes directly. You should be having a conversation with camera not reading from your notes not making eye contact with the lens. Video is a direct link to viewers seeing who you are, so picture speaking directly to a consumer when you are recording a video.
Step 3. Get B-roll
WHAT IS B-ROLL?
It is video the is supplemental to your primary footage. In this case, your primary footage is the video of you talking to camera about your product, service, or update.
Another great rule to follow with producing videos is if something is talked about on camera, you should also be able to show that talking point visually in the edit. Even though you may have a really cool shirt on and your hair is on point, cutting away to what you are talking about is a way to keep your viewers engaged!
When it comes to filming b-roll you can film something a million different ways. BE CREATIVE. Use angles different angles, shot scales, and movement to give your broll some life and make it engaging!
Step 4. Editing
That’s a wrap! You’ve finished filming and now need to assemble your video.
Import your footage into your editing software. If you were following an outline during filming, then it would be best to have that on-hand while you are editing. While editing, it is wise to remove vocal “Ums” and “Uhs” from your video content. Removing those make you sound like a professional public speaker! After you create an edit, watch your current video and double check that you don’t have any redundant parts. For example, repetition of information as well as information that could be conveyed in copy on the platform you post the video.
Once you are happy with your edit, it is time to bring the video to the next level! Music can help you convey an emotion or feeling when someone is watching a video. If you are looking for free music choices you can try YouTube’s Audio Library. There are royalty free options in YouTube’s library that includes many genres and instruments. For a higher quality selection of music you can try these paid services; Artlist, Epidemic Sound, and Pond5. Whatever avenue to take to get music, import your music into your project. After you drop your music under your footage, be sure to lower the volume of the music so that your voice is still heard over the music.
Finally, once your music is laid in, you are ready to export your video! Most social media platforms support H.264 codes, which is an .mp4 file extension. After you export your video you are done!
Step 5. Using a content creator (like me)
Video is most customer’s first impression of your brand. If your business has the means to hire a professional content creator, it is a valuable investment and you should be considering it! Utilizing a content creators abilities to showcase your products and services will ensure that you are reflected professionally online to all existing and future customers!
Consider contacting myself or search for a local content creator in your area!
