Ten years ago, my company, Common Craft, started producing short, animated videos designed to explain technology and other subjects. They caught on in a big way, earning over 50 million views, and are now known as the first "explainer" videos of the YouTube era. Along with the videos, we became known as professional explainers.
Throughout that time, Common Craft videos have had a consistent look and feel which has become known as "Common Craft Style" and has inspired educators and video producers all over the world. Here are some of the basics:
Today, our goal is to help promote the use of "Common Craft Style" as a simple and effective way for professionals to create animated explainer videos.
This course is packed with know-how and resources (like script writing templates and visuals) that make DIY video production easier than ever. And it's all based on over a decade of experience.
Here's a simple question to consider: Are you ready to shake up your lessons and presentations and try something new?
This course is for people who are ready to solve problems. Now more than ever, clear communication matters. Long articles and policy documents are easy to ignore. You can do better. Animated explainer videos are a resource that accomplishes a few powerful goals:
Efficient Communication - Short explainer videos can pack a more effective punch than text or slide presentations.
Attractive Presentation - Common Craft Style videos offer an attractive and professional resource that people find interesting and remarkable.
Shareability - Short explainer videos can go places you can't. Let them do the heavy lifting.
When you don't have tens of thousands in the budget for explainer videos, you still have a great option to create compelling and useful explainer videos. Today, it's possible to use common and affordable tools like PowerPoint and screencasting software to turn your ideas into quality do-it-yourself animated videos.
With years of experience creating professional explainer videos, we wanted to make it easy for anyone to create their own - and have them look professional. We've spent over a year developing and refining a step-by-step methodology for producing DIY animated explainer videos with quality results.
Whether you're a professional who is:
• Introducing a new project
• Presenting research to a group
• Changing a company policy
• Making your case for funding
• Training colleagues or customers
• Demonstrating a product
• Or even requesting a new position
Carefully crafted explanations and explainer videos will help you make the most of these opportunities. Your ability to build support, respect and attention depends on others understanding your ideas clearly.
Lee LeFever has been a professional explainer for over 10 years.
Lee is the co-founder of Common Craft, an international keynote speaker and author of The Art of Explanation (Wiley, 2012). He is also credited with inspiring the online "explainer" video industry. In his work, he's helped companies such as Google, Intel, LEGO and Ford to explain their products. His explainer videos have been viewed over 50 million times and licensed to professionals and organizations in over 50 countries.
This course walks you through the six skills of animated video production with a focus on clarity and understanding. The skills below follow our tested methodology for creating DIY animated videos.
Write Your Script. Transform your ideas into a script that will become the narration for your video. We provide templates and models for getting started.
Create Your Storyboard. Learn how to create simple storyboards that help develop your ideas for visuals in each scene.
Find or Create Visuals. Learn to create DIY visuals for your video, find ready-made visuals online or use a free starter pack of Common Craft Cut-outs.
Record Your Voiceover. Learn how to record professional quality audio and edit the voice-over for your video.
Produce the Video. Choose from multiple options: Produce live-action videos, videos made with screencasting or with web-based tools.
Edit the Video. Learn the basics of editing and how to match your video footage to your voice-over for a professional quality video.
- Boris Mann, Founder, SCALE
This course is a multimedia experience. You'll learn and practice explanation and media creation skills with a variety of media and tools:
Grasp concepts via explanations, stories and anecdotes in friendly, readable writing.
Develop animation and production skills quickly via 20+ short, original videos.
See ideas come to life through original hand-drawn visuals throughout the course.
Test and evaluate your progress with quizzes and exercises designed to make it productive and fun.
Download multiple guides and templates to take with you.
Practice creating DIY explainer videos! We provide all the materials you need to quickly dive into video production using a simple example.
Download a free pack of 100 Common Craft Cut-outs you can use for visuals in your video.
Our one-page fact sheet has all the information you need to make your case to enroll. Print it, send it in email, make a poster!
- Kalpita Kothary, Co-owner & Engineer, Minky
We make it a priority to use common, affordable and easy-to-use software. The required tools depend on the type of video you'll produce.
For creating DIGITAL videos, you'll need a computer, presentation software, an external microphone (built-in microphone can be used, but is not recommended) and in some cases, screencasting software like ScreenFlow or Camtasia. Optional tools include Audacity (free) for audio editing and access to visuals.
If you plan to create a LIVE-ACTION Common Craft Style video, you'll need a video camera or device, a tripod with a camera mount, and possibly lights in addition to the tools listed above.
Ensure your ideas get the attention they deserve. Learn essential skills for turning complex ideas into clear explanations. Learn more
Save 15% by purchasing the How to Produce DIY Animated Video Course and the Explanation Master Course as a bundle. Learn more
