Storytelling in animations and visualizations

There are several ways to incorporate storytelling into animations and visualizations. One approach is to use a clear narrative structure with a beginning, middle and end. This can help guide the viewer through the information being presented and make it easier to understand. For example, when we create the animation, we start with showing the entrance to the building, the same way people would enter. We continue with most representative exteriors and interiors, then we show details or small rooms, and we close with an overall view, like aerial. This point can also apply to static visualizations. A good way is to play with light and composition of the image - this way the eye of the viewer concentrates on the specific parts in the beginning, then it travels to the next points.

Another approach is to use relatable characters or personas to represent the data being presented. This way the viewers can connect easier with the information and remember it long after viewing it. For example, if we visualize the modern design of office building, we put people in suits or dressed in modern casual. When we visualize the hotel or neighborhood, it’s important to bring happy people and families, who can make the image more alive. Using relatable characters is an artistic approach known for ages now. Even in ancient Myths - stories that held meaningful and moral message presented through several gods, who had flaws like regular people.

You can also tell a story through good use of artistic elements like colors, shapes, light and music. Using sharp shapes can indicate the subject to be strict, stoic, modern or dangerous. In opposition, soft and oval shapes can make the story seem happier, easy-to approach, playful or even childish.

When creating a mood, the colors can be warm or cold. Cooler colors are better for depicting modern or brutalist architecture. They also apply quite well in product visualizations or animations, when the main material is some sort of metal. Warm colors look better in scenes you want people to engage emotionally with. This is why marketing images are usually in bright, warm tones. The colors of the vegetation can also show what season the story is based in. Music is one of the most important elements that tell a story. One note can make the scene feel cheerful or formal, can bring you to tears excited or make you want to buy something new. There are several tricks and in the film industry sounds and music are a great deal for which people get Academy awards. Animation can be seen as a short movie, where music is extremely important. By using the appropriate music and sound effects, animations can create an emotional connection with the viewer and add to the overall impact of the message.

Incorporating storytelling into animations and visualizations is not just about making them more engaging. It is also about ensuring that the information being presented is understood and remembered. Clients approach us when they want to market their projects in the best way. The creative concept, in the beginning, is the moment when we have the most connection with the client. This is when we come up with ideas, how to visualize their product or information they want to send to the world. By using narrative techniques, clear structures, and engaging visuals, animations and visualizations can become more accessible, memorable, and impactful. As the world becomes increasingly reliant on visual media for communication, the importance of storytelling in these mediums will only continue to grow.