In late 2017, I was asked to create something that would be used to promote the DHA Usability Lab in a quick and eye-catching way. Since I recently taught myself how to create motion graphics, I came up with idea for an animation.
The Usability Lab had been up and running for some months, and one of the biggest challenges it faced was recruiting participants for user research and usability testing. The UL team needed something to use in presentations that would be eye-catching but short in case they were pressed for time. Most importantly, they needed their audiences to be inspired to volunteer as users for projects at the lab.
Before putting pen to paper, I spoke with veterans and service members in the office to learn more about what subjects they could connect with. I heard about something called Battle Buddies, a system that pairs active service members to be supportive friends, and realized that would be great way to catch our audiences’ attention at events. I visualized a simple animation that could tell the story of the DHA Usability Lab.
I sketched ideas on paper while working on the script then drew the storyboards. I created the digital graphics for each screen in Adobe Illustrator and imported them into Adobe After Effects for animation. I also recorded the narration myself with the help of a colleague.
To make the video feel more complete and polished, I found free music online that I could add into the video. I also learned a little bit of sound editing with Adobe Premiere to shorten the music clip appropriately.
The music used is “Make Your Dream Reality” by Scott Holmes and can be found here.
The finished animation was praised for being entertaining and informative in a very short span of time. While it was initially intended for internal use only, once it was shared in the office everyone decided it would make great public marketing material. After getting feedback from the Public Affairs Office and doing some minor revisions, the video is now online and included in the DHA Usability Lab webpage.
Please watch the video below!
Your animation really helped a lot of soldiers to understand the purpose of usability testing and how beneficial it can be to helping the military community as a whole. The animation was clear and elegant but also simple. And it was a great tool for marketing and recruitment!
– Erin S., Administrative Assistant for the DHA Usability Lab
