2010 Census "Count on Change" - Explained by Say It Visually
By leelefever on October 27, 2009 - 8:57am
Say It Visually!, a member of the Common Craft Explainer Network, recently published this video that explains the impact of the 2010 Census on communities and focuses on encouraging participation among people of color.
This format is a new one for Say It Visually and it's great to see them taking video explanation in new directions. I think the hand-painted style fits really well with the voice-over and music by Keb'-Mo'. It has a heart-felt feel that may have been hard with animation. What do you think?
View With CommentsVideo: Saving for Retirement (401ks) in Plain English
By leelefever on September 30, 2009 - 1:31pm
Today we've published a new video "Saving for Retirement in Plain English".
Since we first considered making the series of videos on Money, we've had our eyes on retirement savings. Not just our retirement, but yours. Too many people start saving too late and/or don't know the basics of why retirement accounts like 401ks and IRAs make sense. This video is aimed at helping people see the long term benefits of retirement accounts.
Who is it for? Along with use in schools, we see this video being a tool for companies who offer retirement programs. This video can be licensed for use by HR (or financial organizations) that have the goal of increasing awareness and adoption of the programs.
This video will join the other Money videos in a forthcoming "Financial Basics Pack" of 6 videos:
The release of this video also marks a break for our recent focus on money and a return to technology. More coming soon!
View With CommentsWelcoming Two New Members of the Explainer Network
By leelefever on September 21, 2009 - 10:21am
We're so excited to have two new members of our Explainer Network of custom video producers.
Lilipip is a Seattle-based company that has been making videos for years. They're seeing new opportunities in the world of animated video explanations and we think they'll be a great fit for the Network. From their listing:
We make animated videos about your product, service, or concept. We’re an “Open-Source Creative” team with transparent pricing and processes – featuring global artists with a wide range of styles. Follow Lilipip on Twitter.
Here is one of Lilipip's most recent videos:
Animated Explanations is based in Brussels, Belgium and focuses on the European (and global) market for explanatory videos. They have extensive experience in making complex ideas easy to understand in video form and we're happy to have them in the Network. We're especially excited to have European representation in the Network. Follow them on Twitter @instruxion. From their listing:
Animated movies, interactive tutorials and instructional videos in attractive formats and any language.
Here's a sample:
How to find a new job using LinkedIn? - Animated Explanations
The Common Craft Explainer Network is a group of video producers that specialize in making custom explanatory videos. The Network currently has six members that represent a number of skills, styles and formats. If that chunk of text on your home page just isn't doing the trick anymore, contact an Explainer Network member.
View With CommentsVideo: Stock Markets in Plain English
By leelefever on September 02, 2009 - 1:20pm
Today we've published a new video: Stock Markets in Plain English
This video is one of our most requested and focuses on a few basic ideas:
- Why companies offer their stock to the public
- Why people buy and sell stocks
- What makes stock prices change
- How we measure stock markets using indices
This video is part of our Money series and one of the first to touch on markets. It was also one of the toughest to make. Economic forces like supply and demand can quickly turn into rabbit holes. Keeping it short and sweet was a challenge. We're so excited to share it with the world.
We expect this video to be useful to teachers, but also organizations related to investing, particularly ones focused on educating those new to the market.
View With CommentsCustom Video: SharePoint in Plain English
By leelefever on August 17, 2009 - 7:42am
While licensing our videos is still the focus of our business, we have taken on a few custom projects this summer. The first to be published is a video we were hired to produce called "SharePoint in Plain English," about Microsoft's enterprise collaboration tool. The focus of the video is to introduce Sharepoint and illustrate the old way (project info exists on multiple computers) vs. new way (project info lives in SharePoint).
Updated: Microsoft has made this video available for download so you can share it easily on Intranets, presentations, etc.
One of the things that attracted us to this project was the potential to expose our work to SharePoint users. We were so happy to work with the SharePoint team, who was flexible and very open to our interpretations. It was one of the smoothest projects we've completed to date and we appreciate their focus and dedication. Plus, it's always nice to work with local organizations.
New Explainer Network Member: 1/29 Explainers
By leelefever on August 13, 2009 - 12:43pm
We're excited to announce a new member of the Common Craft Explainer Network, 1/29 Explainers. Executive producer Nick Seuser and the 1/29 team have ton of experience in the film and video world.
Our introduction to 1/29 was through the "Behind the Logic" series of videos they did for Pandora. You can watch them on the 1/29 Explainers home page. We were impressed with the entertaining creative way they explain the logic that connects the music that plays via Pandora. Here's an example:
1/29 Explainers, like all members of the Explainer Network, are available for creating custom explanatory videos for your product or service. We created the Network to help organizations in need of videos find talented video producers. Other members include: SayItVisually, Switch Web Video and 'Splainers.
View With CommentsExplainer Tip: Remember the Curse of Knowledge
By leelefever on August 11, 2009 - 2:33pm
The following post is a part of a series called "Explainer Tips" where we share lessons we've learned in crafting explanations.
One of the books that I read just before creating our first videos was Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath. More than almost any other, this book helped me see new opportunities to present ideas in a unique way. One idea from the book really stands out - it's The Curse of Knowledge <insert scary music.>
We've all experienced it - in talking to a doctor, an engineer or academic, we get lost. Despite their best efforts, they explain a topic using words and examples that don't make sense to a beginner. These people are suffering from the Curse.
The idea behind the curse of knowledge is that the more we know about something, the harder it is for us to explain it to someone who knows nothing. We have a hard time being able to imagine what it's like not to know. For example, think about a lawyer who spent his life reading and writing legal documents, talking to lawyers all day every day, etc. When you ask this lawyer about tort reform, you're likely to get an explanation that confuses you more. This person knows too much to answer your question in a language you understand.
We're all guilty of having the curse. We all have something in our life that we know very well - perhaps too well to explain easily. The key is know that the curse exists. To be able to recognize the challenge before you. Here's how:
Consider every word. Sometimes a word that is completely natural to you can doom an explanation. For example, let's say you're a financial planner and you sit down with a young couple and they seem to get everything you're saying. Then you mention "amortization" as if it were any other word. You use it every day and the people around you do too. It may seem that amortization is perfectly normal. But it's not - their eyes glaze over and the explanation takes a turn for the worst. You have the curse.
The Remedy
Part of the problem with the curse of knowledge is that we assume too much. We make assumptions about what people do and don't know. The stronger the curse, the easier it is to assume. To get around the curse, you can either start with the basics, or get a feeling from your audience about what they know. Don't assume they speak your language or have your perspective. If explanation is your goal, impressing them with big words and details are going to work against you. Your time is better spent accounting for their level of understanding and their context.
Here's a great interview with the Heath brothers by Guy Kawasaki from 2007.
Next Up: Put the WHY Before the HOW
View With CommentsExplainer Tip: Stop Talking About Technology
By leelefever on July 28, 2009 - 7:45am
The following post is a part of a series called "Explainer Tips" where we share lessons we've learned in crafting explanations.
You likely have friends and family members who consider themselves non-technical. When discussion turns to anything related to computer, they throw up their hands and say "I just don't get tech stuff!" The truth is, this is the vast majority of people. And it's completely understandable why they feel this way. Technology can be very intimidating and many of the most popular tools are poorly designed for a new user.
But it's not just technology - it's how we talk about technology. The most simple and user friendly tools can sound intimidating if we insist on using terms like XML, extranet, APIs, etc. There is no end to confusing technology language.
The next time a novice asks you about technology, here are questions I want you to ask yourself:
- How can I explain this without talking about technology?
- Can I use a real-world example to explain this instead of the actual technology?
- What is this person likely to understand that I can use as a comparison?
A classic example is email. Let's say your long lost uncle emerges from the woods and says "What's email?" You have a choice: You can tell him about computers, SMTP, domains and headers or think of something that he already understands, like the Postal Service. To make it easy for your uncle, forget technology and start by talking about snail mail. Establish the value of being able to communicate written messages over long distance. Talk about using pens and typewriters. Talk about how long it takes and why it's painful. He will get it. Then, the jump to technology is easier. Email is the same as sending a letter but more efficient because we have computers instead of pens and typewriters.
By taking technology out of the picture in the beginning and speaking in recognizable terms, you can prevent your audience from throwing up their hands and saying "I don't get technology!" Instead, you're offering an invitation - an introduction to the subject that speaks in their language and lives in their world.
Other Explainer Tips:
Remember the Curse of Knowledge
View With CommentsVideo: Insurance in Plain English
By leelefever on July 21, 2009 - 11:59am
Today we've published a new video: Insurance in Plain English
As we wrote recently, we're focusing on our Money category over the next month or two. This video, Insurance in Plain English, is meant to explain why insurance exists, what service it provides, how it works and what role it plays in being financially responsible.
Insurance is a concept that surrounds us all the time. In fact, it's so common that it's easy to assume that everyone understands it and why it makes sense. Unfortunately, there are not a lot resources for teaching the big ideas behind insurance, much less ones that do it in an entertaining way. This video is meant to make the boring subject of insurance a bit more fun and interesting.
We hope this video will provide educators a resource for helping people young and old make smarter and more informed decision about their coverage.
View With CommentsInsurance in Plain English
By leelefever on July 21, 2009 - 10:13am
