The average blink of an eye happens in 400 milliseconds, less than one-half of a second. If we handed you a newspaper article and took it back after less than one-half of a second, how much of it would you remember? Would it be 80%, 60%, or maybe 50%? The answer would likely be between 1% and 0%.
Neuroscientists from MIT ran an experiment, finding that “the human brain can process entire images that the eye sees for as little as 13 milliseconds.” Video infographics present alphanumerical data in graphics with sound effects, background music, and movement. Since they use graphics, they benefit from the brain’s capacity to process images faster than words, increasing the likelihood that viewers can recall what you are showing them.
The following six steps let you create an engaging infographic video—a video that revolves around an infographic or one where an infographic supports a video’s thesis. Each step gets you closer to creating videos that keep viewers watching and encourage them to buy your products or change their mindset.
1. Gather and validate your infographic’s data
The purpose of an infographic is to present data clearly. But it’s crucial to confirm whether the data we gather is reliable. According to Edelman, 81% of consumers report that being capable of trusting a brand to do what’s right is a deal-breaker in buying decisions. When you use reliable data, you position your brand as a credible source of expertise in an industry, helping you gain and keep customers.
The data you want to feature in your infographic determines where you’ll find it.
Look to your CRM or other internal data sources for reliable numbers you can justify. Since you own this data, featuring it in your infographic means readers will see you as a reliable primary source of industry insights.
Since you collect internal data, you know it’s reliable. But that’s not always the case with external data. Journals and websites often misinterpret quotes or create roundups of outdated stats. To find reliable data, look for statistics no older than five years. These statistics should come from the source who collected them, so you understand the context behind the data.
2. Select the chart that best represents your data
Every chart specializes in presenting different data.
Scatter plots are great for representing how datasets from two variables react to one another. But they are too complex to show how a variable grew in a year. In this instance, a simple line chart would be enough. Choosing the chart that best suits your intent and amount of data allows you to create a simple infographic that your audience can learn from.
Vyond’s End-of-Year Reports template uses a pie chart to highlight some of Zodio’s key audiences over the last year. The speaker brings attention to the two most significant segments as the chart appears on screen to ensure viewers don’t miss this data.
The amount of data you have and your goal determine the chart you’ll use. If you want to highlight a statistic, a simple counter chart is enough. Meanwhile, those comparing many variables can use a vertically stacked bar chart or a pie chart.
Vyond offers seven types of charts. You can add them through the Charts menu in the top left corner of Vyond Studio. Then, you can change their values, ways of representing data, and colors using the Chart Data and Chart Settings menu in the top right corner of Vyond’s interface.
3. Define your target persona
Defining your persona helps you create a video infographic with data that customers find valuable and relatable. Greater personalization makes the video more interesting for the viewer, making it more likely that they’ll share the video.
You can define your target persona in three steps.
First, learn about your clients’ demographic information, like ages, hobbies, and routines. This data lets you spot people who’ll find your product or knowledge helpful in a crowd. You can uncover this data by asking customers about it with a call or survey. Client-facing colleagues, like those from your sales team, can also share this data.
Second, ask clients or colleagues facing them how they have tried to solve the problem that your infographic addresses. This stage will teach you about alternative solution methods clients have used. You can later use this information to create infographics proving why your product is superior than your competitors’.
Third, look for the most prevalent traits and create a fictional persona based on concurrent traits. For example; a productivity tool targeting people in college can use the following persona: Mike, an athletic, third-culture 20-year-old, striving to be the best in his class without neglecting his friends.
4. Write your script
You can use scripts to organize when each voice line or event happens. A script also allows you to provide descriptions of what’s happening, so people understand your intent for the scene. Planning these elements lets you write a story cohesive with your persona, getting you one step closer to achieving your video’s goals.
Start your script by outlining the lessons or topics you want your video infographic to discuss in bullet points. Then, write the information viewers need to understand the infographic’s data. These first two steps help you ideate the background knowledge required to comprehend the value of your video.
It’s not impossible to forget about a foundational concept needed to understand a topic when you are an expert. So, ask for feedback from colleagues from other departments. Their unfamiliarity with your infographic’s data and video topic will help them spot scenes that are too complex, unclear, or vague. These are the scenes that your target audience might also find confusing.
Next, flesh out what will happen during each scene and the exact words your speaker will say. The script lines don’t have to be lengthy, as viewers engage less with videos after the two-minute mark. But the lines should be complete and use simple language so that everyone can understand and find value in them.
5. Design a storyboard
A storyboard is a framework to draw or illustrate how a video’s story will unfold.
You can use storyboards to sketch what will happen before, during, and after your infographic appears on-screen. Then, you can use this asset to determine the most coherent placement for your infographic based on your teaching or selling goals.
Storyboards comprise many squares with lines below or next to them. To use one, draw the events happening during a scene on each square. Next, write the scene’s corresponding lines below each square to check if the script line is clear enough to explain the scene.
You can sketch your storyboard on a piece of paper or print our template.
6. Add motion paths
Motion paths are visual effects that move or change the size of your infographic for a certain amount of time.
When you animate an infographic next to a speaker or other information, you direct the audience’s attention to the data you are presenting.
For example; the Goal Progress Thermometer story and infographic template uses Motion Paths to show the company’s progress in its goal to save trees.
If the infographic is the only element on the screen, motion still helps you keep viewers watching by stimulating their eyes to look at different areas of the screen. For example; the sliding effect of the template above keeps viewers expecting the result of the company’s progress. A static number could also present this number. But it would make it easier for viewers to look at it for one second and look elsewhere.
You can add a motion path using Vyond Studio:
- Select the chart you want to animate.
- Click the Motion Path icon in the top right corner and pick your favorite Motion Path.
- Adjust the timing on the same menu.
You can then click the Preview button on the top right corner of the screen to see how everything looks.
Create an animated video infographic using Vyond
Video infographics are more effective at sharing data that viewers can recall than text-based slides or talking head videos. They also meet employees’ and consumers’ desire to watch video content from management and brands, respectively.
You can use Vyond to create engaging animated video infographics even if you are a beginner at graphic design and infographic video makers. Our set of tools lets you choose between seven pre-designed charts you can add and customize in a few clicks.
You can also use our high-quality video templates to get your animated infographics displayed on your audience’s favorite social media platform or website in less time.
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