Why, When, and How to Use Graphics in Your Videos
| Feb 09 2018 |
Why, When, and How to Use Graphics in Your Videos
Creating professional graphics can be overwhelming. Ranging from basic text and logos to more complex 3D and animated graphics, there’s a lot to choose from. The main purpose of your visuals are to help explain or give context to your vidoe while also making it more interesting and visually appealing; creating the best content for your business.
Why You Should Be Using Graphics
Let me rephrase that: why not use graphics? With the growth of technology comes the growth of competitors. A rise in availability of basic production equipment and editing software has given small independent businesses the option to turn inward to their own employees to develop marketing and promotional content. This means that now, more than ever, it’s ideal to focus on building a business that stands out above the rest.
Making great looking graphics an essential part of your marketing and editing process will give your business that edge needed to attract more clients. Using appealing and appropriate visuals is the kind of attention to detail that separates an average video from an outstanding video.
Utilizing graphics will also construct your business’ visual identity. Stop and think about the most well known brands globally. If you were to see, for example, Coco-Cola’s signature red or McDonald’s famous golden arches you’d know exactly what company is being advertised. The same idea goes for your business; creating a consistent visual identity will build up your audience and give your clients something familiar to search for.
When to Appropriately Use Graphics
As you now know, the purpose of graphics is to add context to your video. So, visuals should be used when more information is needed to make sense of what’s going on:
- The start of your video should be indicated by opening graphics. This eliminates an abrupt or confusing beginning.
- When introducing a new person, place, or topic it’s ideal to use a lower third to signal a change and identify the subject.
- If your video happens to be in a different language, provide subtitles or a closed captioning option.
- Use a “bug,” otherwise known as a “watermark” or “DOG – digital onscreen graphic,” to promote your business’ (or your client’s) logo throughout the video or during specific parts.
- The end of your video should also be indicated; using closing graphics – for example a call to action – and credits will give your video a clean professional conclusion.
How to Effectively Use Graphics
Basic editing software usually comes equipped with a graphics and title generator. If yours does not, there are graphics programs available that are compatible with popular editing software. For instance, Adobe Premiere has its own title maker within itself, but also works seamlessly with Adobe Photoshop and After Effects.
Some of the biggest things to keep in mind when creating graphics are:
It’s important to know the dimensions of the screen your video will be played on. Each output has different “title safe zones,” as they’re called, due to their different display dimensions. You don’t want your graphics to be cut off by the edge of the screen.
- The typeface and the font and graphics color, size, and placement
Your visuals should match the theme of your video. For example, if you’re creating a video that has a serious tone to it, don’t use graphics that give off a silly or childish look. Also, creating that visual identity we talked about earlier - using the specific color, font, and/or logo of your business - will help give your projects a professional look.
Outside of incorporating a logo’s theme, knowing the difference between serif, san serif, and decorative font styles will help you find the right font for your titles and graphics. Knowing basic color theory will help you pick out colors that enhance your graphics, not hinder them. And, be mindful when deciding on your graphic's size and placement.
- Will the graphics be animated?
Using animated graphics, otherwise known as motion graphics, can increase the quality of your product. By incorporating motion, they add a little more pizzazz to your graphics that will grab the attention of your audience.
- What will be under the graphics (the background)
The design of your graphics should not overwhelm the viewer. Be mindful of the background your graphics will be placed over and the amount of graphics and variations of them in one video. If things get too busy your visuals will lose their purpose. Less is more, simplicity is bliss, and consistency is key.
Using graphics will take your video to the next level by creating a polished and proficient end product. Following these guidelines will aid you in creating the perfect graphics for your business' videos.
If you’re struggling with these fundamentals contact us here to further discuss this and get you one step closer to showcasing your product to the world.
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