Author: JD

When people talk about education, they often stress the formal side of learning like delivering knowledge, getting high scores on exams, etc. But animation-based education is here to up the game, with animation you can get fun, practical, and informative learning all at the same time!

While it sounds like it, animation-based learning is not all about visual materials. Rather, resources such as videos, infographics, and GIFs are used in tandem with existing resources when employing this method. This can be applied to many different fields, from scientific visualizations to corporate training schemes; from motion-graphic narratives used in primary courses to university-level demonstrations.

The Advantages Of Animation-Based Learning:

• Making Abstract Concepts Palpable. It doesn’t matter what you study, there are always going to be some concepts in a subject that are topics of the mind and are not actually visible. If you think about it, even something as concrete as math is highly theoretical and intangible for someone who’s never done multiplication and division before. And when you can’t see what you’re dealing with, sometimes it’s difficult to understand and remember the knowledge. In this case animation can be used to visualize complex concepts, for example, the “invisible hands” of supply and demand in economics, or chemical reactions in the brain during everyday
• Alleviating Pressure on Learners’ Imaginations. Animation can also demonstrate visible phenomena too, especially those that are not available in the classroom at that moment. This applies particularly well to scenario-based teaching and training and usually focuses on practical and social skills. Think nurse training, for example. A major part of it is learning about the medicines and internal conditions, but they should also be aware of external symptoms and how to deal with them as well. To better prepare nurses for such situations, animated segments can be provided during their training so that they can see the procedures rather than imagine them in their heads. And when the time comes for them to apply their training, it’s much easier to carry things out.
• Engaging The Learners. When thinking of studying, many of us will probably think about long hours of staring at textbooks, wondering if there’s a faster, more entertaining way to learn. Well, there actually is, in most cases, a learning method that’s more fun, and that’s using visual aid tools like animation. Take TedEd videos—they’re designed to fit our attention spans and they provide useful information in colorful ways. These animations are optimal for learning since they draw the eyes and bring to life the issue at hand. They pique learners’ interests, and if they’re really successful, then the learner will go on to do some more research about the subject themselves!
• Is Affordable and Can Be Watched Anywhere. Contrary to popular belief, quality animation can be produced on a budget. Perhaps you opt for whiteboard or 2D animation rather than the 3D style, but that doesn’t have to mean that the quality will be bad. And what’s good is that once made, you can use that animation again and again, so the investment pays with time. It’s always available to you, and you can make it so even for your learners by putting it online. Learners can access the video through their phone or their computers—they can even download it!

How To Produce Animation-Based Learning. Of course, by no means are you expected to create animations by yourself, although you can if you’re particularly artistic and can maneuver editing software. Oftentimes, educators find animation studios to collaborate with in order to add life to their courses. Once you’ve found your preferred studio, the process goes as follows:

1. Briefing

This is going to be the basis of your partnership. You set out these terms from the very beginning: your objective and your target audience. These help both sides research the best way to present information as you go on.

If you’re working on your own, you’ll be researching your audience at this point and potentially picking out a suitable type of animation. If you’re working with a partner, they might have some industrial insight that can help you better decide, so maintain good and clear communication.

2. Writing A script

Once you’ve found a preferred style, it’s time to settle down and write your script. This depends a lot on the kind of video you’re producing. If, for instance, it’s a highly descriptive video (e.g. demonstrating Earth’s sediments’ formation), then the script will be quite short and straightforward. Consider adding some voice-over to provide extra information and a human touch.

For narrative videos, scripts may be more complex, with characters and dialogue. Always keep your audience in mind when you write the script so that you create the right content (not too easy, not too difficult) for them.

3. Storyboarding

This is where you hand the script over to the animator unless the animator is you. Animators will have specific insights about how the video should progress, how the background should be, and what visual effects can be used. Since this is the skeleton of your video, you should be able to check how well your final result will flow. Again, check also that whatever you have planned matches the abilities and expectations of your target audience.

4. Illustrating the Elements

Now we get into the fun bit of the process, where your imagination starts to come to life. From character design to the settings and background, the still models are first needed before vectors can be added and combined to make a video.

If you’re working with a studio, make sure that they run the designs through you so that their products match the images you have in mind. Be open and constructive when communicating and you should be fine!

If you’re working alone and are wary of this, don’t worry, there are plenty of stock vectors and designs available online for you. Take a look at Vecteezy, for instance.

5. Animating

This final step is when the stars align and things come together. From ideation to storylining to design, it’s finally time to harvest the fruits of your labor! To bring the elements together, remember to stick closely to your approved storyboard and use a good tool to make your video if you’re doing it on your own. If you’re not so invested in mastering Adobe After Effects, programs like PowToon, Vyond, and Moovly can make your life as an animator a little easier!

The beginning of the fall semester is quickly approaching, and prospective architecture students are gearing up for the beginning of their future careers. While the next step may seem daunting, the first year of your architecture education helps set the pace for the remaining four to five years. So it’s important to get started on the right foot.

Architecture studios are notorious for long nights, intensive model-making and desks overflowing with trace paper and parti diagrams. But there is one important aspect of studio life that is too often neglected: the student-professor relationship.

Read on for the four steps to start investing in this unique relationship to set yourself up for success.

1. Be Present and On Time

As a first-year architecture student, you are not only starting the arduous journey to become an architect, you are also making the transition to student life in general. First and foremost, it is important to understand the commitment associated with making that transition successfully. The freedom that comes with being in college is difficult for some to handle. The only thing standing between you and your attendance in class is you. It should go without saying, but studio professors notice the effort that comes with being in class (and being in class on time). It may seem simple, but punctuality is the first step in fostering a positive relationship with your instructors.

2. Take the Initiative

After you make sure you’ve fine-tuned your schedule and attendance, the next step is a conversation. For most, it can be intimidating as a young student to talk with teachers and professors. But if you take the initiative and step out of your comfort zone and do something as simple as introducing yourself, it will go a long way in earning the respect of your professors. In architecture studios, design crits happen nearly daily, so there are opportunities to talk with your studio instructor. But in order to take that relationship a step further, it will require you to take the initiative.

3. Get Involved

Once you’ve laid the proper foundation, this step is perhaps the most important. Many professors throughout their tenure at a university must complete one (or sometimes multiple) research project within their specialized field. Getting involved in their research projects affords you valuable experience, one-on-one mentorship and even the possibility for grant or university funding. Find a professor specializing in a design field you find interesting (computational design, housing, sustainability, acoustics, biomimicry, etc.) and offer your assistance. Completing research can result in awards, publication and other resume-boosting accolades. But most importantly, being involved in this process will undoubtedly improve your student-professor relationship.

4. Network

Lastly, this step proves the old adage, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Yes, design software and construction knowledge are notable and important in the job search, but even more important is the network you develop within the building industry. Many students miss the fact that the closest connections they have in the professional world are their professors. There are a number of instructors that maintain a practice while teaching, and as part of their investment in your success, they are prepared to share their connections. Internships are a vital part of your education, and if you take the time to help out your professors, they will undoubtedly return the fav