Our Product is Explanation
All posts for “Explanation”
LoJack for Laptops - Explained (Custom Video)
Posted by: leelefever on January 17, 2011- 4:00pm
Categories: Custom Video, Explanation, our work, security, video
If you have a laptop, you've probably worried about it getting lost or stolen. These devices have become the home of so much of our lives that thinking about one in the hands of a stranger is painful. Thankfully, products like LoJack for Laptops help you prevent potential problems and get your computer back. The video explains how:
A quote about how they've used the video:
“We had a very successful CES. The video was on all our ipads and was a hit with clients, partners and our CEO, so much... Continue Reading
Project Based Learning - Explained: A Custom Video Project with BIE
Posted by: leelefever on December 13, 2010- 4:00pm
Categories: Custom Video, education, Explanation, ourwork, teaching, video
When people ask about the inspiration for our style of videos, I often say that our videos reflect the way that I wish I had learned in school. My learning style wasn't a good match for the way I was taught.
Recently we completed a custom video project with the Buck Institute for Education (BIE) that focuses on a Project Based Learning or "PBL", and boy did it open my eyes. I can now see that I needed teachers who put PBL to work. I needed to get up from my desk and engage. I needed to work on... Continue Reading
Video: Social Media and the Workplace - Explained by Common Craft
Posted by: leelefever on November 29, 2010- 4:00pm
Categories: business, Common Craft Video, Explanation, paperworks, social media
Today we’re publishing a new video called Social Media and the Workplace - Explained by Common Craft.
As so many of you know, Social Media and especially sites like Facebook and Twitter are changing the way that organizations think about external communication. Our goal with this video was to help organizations see how the environment is changing and highlight what they can do to be a productive part of it. This video uses an example that highlights a reaction to a crisis, but the message is... Continue Reading
The Common Craft Video on Dropbox.com - Effective?
Posted by: leelefever on November 2, 2010- 5:00pm
Categories: analysis, Custom Video, dropbox, Explanation, Video Analysis
As you may know, we worked with Dropbox on the video that appears on the Dropbox.com front page (when not logged in). Like most in the video business, we’re always looking for data or other evidence that a video has a positive impact.
From time-to-time I check with Dropbox about the video and how it’s impacting their business. Recently, I received an email from Albert Ni at DropBox that provides a look at the role the video plays and how it’s performing. I’ve copied his points here:
-... Continue Reading
The White House Goes Whiteboard
Posted by: leelefever on September 29, 2010- 5:00pm
Categories: Explanation, Explanation, government, politics, whiteboard
A while back I was a part of a panel with Dan Roam, author of The Back of the Napkin and one of his big points during the session was the use of visuals in politics. This was in the middle of the healthcare debate and he wondered why no one, Obama, Republicans, members of congress, etc. were using visuals to make their cases. I agreed whole-heartedly. Glenn Beck seems to make it work, why not put visuals and whiteboards to work for serious policy discussions?
Today I saw that the White House... Continue Reading
Custom Video: BitTorrent Explained
Posted by: leelefever on September 27, 2010- 5:00pm
Categories: bittorent, Custom Video, Explanation, paperworks, technology, video
BitTorrent, which offers a faster way to download files from the Internet, has had a serious explanation problem. It’s one of the most used and least understood products on the Web. After working with BitTorrent on a video, it’s easy to see why this is the case - the inner-workings of BitTorrent are complex. It exists in a world that defies comparison. Millions of users know it works exceptionally well, but explaining why and how it works is another story.
This video was a challenge and we... Continue Reading
Two Interviews - Art Heroes Radio and New Media Radio Hour
Posted by: leelefever on September 23, 2010- 5:00pm
Categories: business, buzz, Explanation, Interview
Over the past week I've been fortunate to have been interviewed by a couple of great folks.
Art Heroes Radio with John T. Unger (about 1 hour)
John and I go way back. Well, as far back as SXSW three years ago anyway. John is best known for his fire bowls, but he does a lot of tech work as well. He's also really interested in the art community online, small business and making a living via art and creativity. in the interview we talked a lot about the process of making a Common Craft video -... Continue Reading
New Videos by 1/29 Explainers
Posted by: leelefever on August 7, 2010- 5:00pm
Categories: Explainer Network Video, Explanation, video
1/29 Explainers (a member of our Explainer Network) has been doing a lot of great work lately and I'd like to highlight a couple of their recent projects. Nick Seuser heads up the team in the Bay Area and I asked him to provide a bit of info about the projects:
The first video is for Flock, the social web browser:
Built for Facebook and Twitter, and with over 200,000 views in just 5 weeks, our spot for Flock’s new version of their social web browser has been successful in focusing attention on... Continue Reading
Custom Video: Rightcliq by Visa
Posted by: leelefever on July 31, 2010- 5:00pm
Categories: clientwork, Common Craft Custom, Explanation, ourwork, video
Today Visa is rolling out a new product called Rightcliq that makes online shopping easier and more social. It works in your browser like a bookmark or plug-in. I'll let the video below explain the rest. You'll find it on the Visa website here.
About this production
Like so many online products, Rightcliq by Visa has an explanation problem that deserves special attention. A solid explanation is key for people to see the value and feel connected to what it does. For example, people have been... Continue Reading
Signs as Explanations
It's true - I love signs. I take pictures of them, laugh about them and talk about if they work or not. I think the fascination is related to explanations. Signs are usually meant to communicate within constraints, much like our videos. This post is the first in what I plan to make a series. Let's look at a few.
This sign is at an establishment on a boat dock in Seattle. Like any "head" or toilet on water, it deserves special care because it doesn't operate like a normal toilet. Overall, I... Continue Reading