How-to Video – Instructions (DWT)

Overview

How-to or explainer videos are an excellent way to educate and share a story with your viewers. For this 30–60-second video, show the viewer how to do or create something. Use your 5–7 scenes to show a step-by-step process. Use a brief headline for each step (3–5 words). Don’t have too much text.

You’ll create your video in After Effects and then export it in Adobe Media Encoder.

How-to Video – Grading Checklist

  • Create one 30-60-second how-to video that shows how to do or create something
  • Simplify the text so you have 5–10 facts that you can use as headlines and subheads
  • Use 1:1 square format (1080 x 1080 pixels)
  • Use the storyboard sheet below to layout your ideas (optional)
  • Comp in Illustrator and Photoshop as needed (optional)
  • Animate in After Effects and render in Adobe Media Encoder
  • Find photos and illustrations from unsplash.com, pexels.com, or pixabay.com
  • Find stock videos from pexels.com or pixabay.com
  • Find stock sounds and music from bensound.com
  • Find new typefaces on fontsquirrel.com
  • Create a brand guidelines page
  • Participate in class critiques
  • Present your final .mp4 video to the class

Your video can promote your message in many places

Choose your own topic that shows how to do or create something

Focus on something you are passionate about.

Here are some ideas:

  • Build a birdhouse
  • Oil a squeaky door hinge
  • Make a grilled cheese sandwich
  • Bake a cake
  • Repot a plant
  • How to properly stretch before a workout
  • How t

Example Video

Here’s an example of a video I created to give students an example of what a typographic animated marketing video could look like.

This is how it looks when posted to Facebook. Notice how Facebook enlarges the video to fit the width of the status column.

Animated Social Media Videos Best Practices

  • Use a 1:1 size ration for your video
  • 30-60-seconds
  • Always try to tell a story
  • Highlight one topic or subject only
  • Use large headlines to grab attention
  • One large photo or graphic to grab attention
  • Brand your design with consistent typography, colors, layout, and repeatable design elements
  • Don’t overdo the zooming and flying. Keep your message legible, professional, and calming

Use a 1:1 Video aspect ratio

Storyboard your typographic animated video

Download and print the storyboard template below to sketch your ideas.

Concepting-and-Storyboard-Sheet.pdfDownload