Video. It’s been shown to increase conversion rates by up to 80%. It’s got to be part of your branding and marketing strategy. But did you know that there are more options besides a traditional on-site video? Today we’re going to talk about the pros and cons of motion graphics.
But before we can dive in it’s important to know what they are. Simply put, motion graphics are animated graphic designs. They are usually on the shorter side and rely heavily on text.
So how can you decide if a motion graphics video is right for you?
Pros
Perhaps the most enticing reason to go with motion graphics is that it doesn’t require a physical space. With traditional video, you need to schedule a time to film, find a suitable filming location, and rehearse lines. Motion graphics videos eliminate the need for any of that. This has been especially helpful this past year as we’ve dealt with COVID restrictions.
That leads us to the next advantage—less work is needed from the client. Once we’ve met and discussed your goals for the video, no more effort is needed from you. You can sit back and trust the professionals to handle the production.
Cons
The biggest con holding back motion graphics videos is that they can be a bit impersonal. The benefit of traditional video is that viewers get to see the space they’ll be visiting or the face they’ll be meeting. When done improperly, a motion graphics video is little more than an animated brochure. That’s why I recommend incorporating at least some live footage, voice over, or photography into your motion graphics video. Take a look at this video we produced for a sale we had going on last January. Even that small inclusion of Tony and Noah high-fiving added a lot to the video’s emotional appeal.
Lastly, motion graphics videos’ runtimes are limited. Motion graphics videos are at their best when they’re 10-30 seconds. It can be difficult for an animator to produce enough content to fill time any longer than 60 seconds and the work that’s required to go beyond that grows exponentially. If you anticipate your video running 60 seconds or longer, traditional video is the way to go.
If you’re in need of a documentary, tour, or testimonial video then motion graphics may not work for you. But if you’re looking for a short, high-impact way to relay your message, then motion graphics might be perfect for your project.
If you're looking for assistance with a motion graphics or traditional video project contact us!
About Nate
Nate Houts is the IFC team’s Media Production Lead, and also their official office Hipster. He’s inspired by photographers Samuel Elkins and Garrett King and director Wes Anderson and can be found at local coffee shops listening to bands you’ve never heard of and pretending to like coffee.
