Video Design

There are the 9 different styles of video and when to use them:

1. Live action videos

Live action video is a recording of either still or moving objects. It’s about real people and real locations, rather than Creating things digitally. Live action videos can showcase a charismatic spokesperson or highlight the people in your office. They can be funny or informative, entertaining or educational.

When and where to use live action

Tutorial videos - Live action is one of the best ways to create an emotional bond with your viewers. On YouTube, how-to and tutorial videos featuring real people work very well because seeing a flesh-and-blood person generates empathy and understanding within your audience.

Welcome videos - Add a human face to your digital interface with a live action welcome video on your website. This friendly contrast can often be the catalyst for your prospect to take action, buy your product, or reach out to you.

“About me” videos - Tell your story in your own words with your own voice. “About me” videos are a perfect fit for live action because human faces and real stories add credibility and authenticity.

Sales videos - Sales videos benefit from live action because it adds more layers to your marketing. Remember, customers aren’t necessarily buying your product (there might be hundreds of others like it). They’re buying your whole brand and how it makes them feel.

2. Animation

Animation is a video style made from many still images. When images are played together one after another, they give the illusion of movement. This style is great for depicting something that can’t be found in the real world. For instance, it’s usually cheaper and easier to animate an imaginary character or a sci-fi environment than to recreate them in the real world. Animation is also ideal if you have no film crew or actors available.

There are three animation styles: 2D, 3D, and stop-motion. 2D animation is flat like a comic or a cartoon. 3D animation has dimension and depth, like most modern animated films and video games. Stop-motion animation is built by capturing individual frames of real-world objects, like a “claymation” movie.

When and where to use it

Marketing and promotional videos - Show off your unique brand with animated marketing and promotional videos that perfectly reflect your brand’s style, energy, and personality.

Explainer videos - Explainer videos that showcase the details of your product or service don’t have to be dry and boring. Spice things up with some animation and make your videos entertaining and engaging.

3. Whiteboard videos

Whiteboard animation tells a creative story with pictures drawn on a whiteboard (or something that resembles a whiteboard) by artists who record their artistic process. Whether it’s basic stick figures or more complicated constructs, when you need to explain a practical process in an easily digestible way, a whiteboard video is perfect.

When and where to use it

Whiteboard videos are great for number-heavy presentations because they make it easy to get a good rhythm of alternating talking and writing to maximize viewer comprehension. Draw thought bubbles, graphs, diagrams, charts, or anything creative to enhance your informational video!

4. Motion graphics videos

Motion graphics videos are a style of animation that uses text and shapes to communicate, but these types of video don’t usually tell a story. These videos typically add music, sound, and voice-over to convey simple information with energy and power.

When and where to use it

Motion graphics effectively communicate complicated ideas in an easily digestible way. This makes them ideal when trying to describe a product, service or depict a result. When you want to show how you mean to accomplish something or how something was accomplished, motion graphics are a great way of getting the job done.

5. Typography videos

Moving text or kinetic typography is an animation technique that blends movement and words to express ideas. Some people respond to visuals, and some respond to the written word. Kinetic typography is a great way to grab the attention of both!

Seeing words in motion can even evoke sensations of sound and weight. For instance, large, thick, vibrating words can seem loud and heavy, while small, thin, flowing words can seem soft and effortless.

When and where to use it

Typography is a great technique when you have one simple concept or feeling to share. In the above video, the way that particular words look and move evokes certain emotions. When you want to cram information into a short timeframe, fast typography is an awesome choice. Even if your prospects don’t consciously catch every word, subconsciously they’ll get the gist. Kinetic typography can “do the talking” and pack in tons of energy without making a sound.

6. Screencast videos

A screencast (or screen capture) is a digital recording of a computer screen, often containing voice-over narration. It’s a no-frills method of teaching, regularly employed by tech businesses to showcase a software product.

When and where to use it

Screencasts are arguably the most efficient way to explain how certain application works. Trying to explain how to use an app using just words and images can be a challenge. Screencasts take viewers through the exact procedure, so all they need to do is follow along and do what they see. Easy.

7. Live action screencast

Live action screencast videos combine the best of on-camera or on-screen videos with screencast videos.

By switching back and forth between live action and your computer screen, you can harness both formats. For those of you who want to insert a little personality into your demonstration, this is a surefire technique.

When and where to use it

Live action screencast is perfect for YouTube how-to videos and video blog posts because it solves the problem of boredom. Screencasts are effective, but often lack flair. For those who want a bit more entertainment value with their education, a live action screencast is the perfect solution.

8. Live streaming

Live streaming broadcasts live video straight to your viewers on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or on your own website.

When and where to use it

This one’s all about social media. Live streaming is excellent when you want to bring your audience into a current and intimate experience. If you’re covering an event and you want an instant interaction from your audience, live streaming is the way to go. Keep in mind, build your audience first because this technique works best when you already have a following.

9. Photo montage

Photo montages or slideshows combine photos with music and voiceover to tell a story and usually conjure up deep emotions. These are great to recap events, especially milestones like anniversaries, weddings, and birthdays.

When and where to use it

Social media posts, welcome videos, and “about me” videos are great places for photo montages because they all offer an opportunity to show off some emotional content. Tapping into your prospects positive emotions is the first step toward getting conversions.