Percentages – a simple tutorial, deconstructed

I like this seeminlgy simple video for calculating percentages. It’s immediately applicable, so what’s its success?

To deconstruct the first maths conundrum, (How do I work out the percentage of something?), I learned its comprised of:

• 2 x SFX for things arriving onscreen (‘ding’! for the puzzle and ‘wpoph’! for supplementary graphics)
• 1 x voiceover
• Graphic assets – 2x Polaroid’s, ripped paper biro sketches of the numbers, cut outs of the beans, Yorkie and apple (treated differently to the paper rips)
• A bed track on loop
• A video clip of a person writing the maths problem on landscape A3 sheet
• Side sliding transitions

Its worth noticing the accessible language and script – this is how we speak and would ask a colleague how to do something.

Daniel Mróz Book Illustrations

Since Google doodle did a great job of animating Daniel Mroz’s illustrations, commemorating Polish science fiction author Stanislaw Lem’s 60th anniversary of the published work Astronauci (The Astronauts), I thought I’d look a bit more at Daniel’s work. What a pleasant surprise. 

Daniel Mroz was alive from 1917 – 1993 (lived to 76), and following graduation in the late 1940′s created graphic illustrations, book covers, set designs and posters for the following three decades. 

According to Wikipedia, Daniel Mroz illustrated Cyberiada, (above) for Stanislaw Lem, in 1965 

Again, Wikipedia tells us that Daniel’s work…’had its own original style. Characterized by surrealism and grotesque. In the early days they were inspired by the collages of Max Ernst…. Many illustrators have tried to emulate the style of Daniel Mroz.’

Today we add Google doodle to the list. 

Laura Carlin’s Illustrations

Laura Carlin’s flat-textured and shadowy illustrations for Ted Hughes Iron Man caught my eye. In e-learning I like the idea of using shadows on illustrated graphics for modules with themes of imposing power over others – competition law for example – and we have the added joy of being able to animate them. 

WWF Animation

Beautifully executed word animation with simple graphics. Nice motion blurs and transitions and a variety of entrance and exit approaches keep you engaged.

T Post Animation

This animation for T Post, demonstrates some tidy techniques for ‘absorb’ content.

The info area top right that blows up for more details is a good technique maximising a single layout and the minimal use of colour has forced the need for creative use of other elements like textures and tiny movements of the clock.

Also good is the sound design – creates pace and accents key points without becoming distracting.

Locking Progression

As learning managers worry that learners won’t ‘learn’ the vital content of their e-course, are we building modules to accommodate a paranoia or enabling true learning?

This article is interesting:

http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/heres-why-unlocking-your-course-navigation-will-create-better-learning/

Take this poll to share your view.

Video in Articulate

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FLV embedding, video

I’ve picked two blog postings to draw to our attention to because they cover the technical and creative aspects of embedding video in Articulate.

OK, they aren’t terribly creatively beautiful, but it at least gives us an idea of more interesting ways to show a video in the page.

It also nods towards what will and won’t be a successful use of the video in the module…maybe we can steer clients thinking when they are providing.

Unique Typefaces

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bespoke typefaces

Monthly new typefaces for download.  Not sure how we can use these online with all the font restrictions, but its inspiring nontheless.

Scrum Poker Cards

I’m really keen to know more about how Agile could help us in our PM and sales processes. This looks fun – estimates worked out through a game of poker!

Surreal Animation

I can’t believe someone actually went through with this project – the results are insane! A short-ish animated video with sumptuous colours, various animation styles and great use of music to enhance mood changes.