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Net Neutrality - Explained by Common Craft
Posted by: leelefever on December 2, 2014- 9:55am
Topic: Common Craft Video
Categories: electricity, explainer, Explanation, internet, net neutrality, politics, utilities, video, web
Today we've published a new video that explains Net Neutrality.
Note: This video release is special. For the first time in about four years, we're publishing a version of a new video on our website and YouTube so that it can be shared easily.
Why? Because it's about a complex and important subject that could impact all US internet users. This subject deserves to be understood by everyone, so we want to make that easy by making it more sharable.
Watch the video now on YouTube or Common Craft... Continue Reading
New Video: The Internet of Things - Explained
Posted by: leelefever on November 4, 2014- 5:17pm
Topic: Common Craft Video
Categories: explainer, Explanation, internet, internet of things, sensors, video, web
It's new video time! This video was suggested by Common Craft members and explains a concept called The Internet of Things in just over 2 minutes.
Here's an ExplainerGIF with highlights from the video:
About This video:
The internet is evolving. It used to be made of computers, but today, the internet includes all sorts of “things” that can work together. This video explains the Internet of Things and what it can mean for both individuals and communities.
What it teaches:
Why the... Continue Reading
Nice Animated Explainer on Planet Earth (and an Intellectual Leap)
Posted by: leelefever on August 5, 2014- 10:52am
Topic: Explainer Tip
Categories: earth, explainer, Explanation, history, science, video
Viewing in email? Watch it here.
The video above by Kurzgesagt is rather long and packed with information, but presented in a manner that makes it easy to understand thanks to good writing and really compelling visuals. I love that it has little humorous bits, like the Secret Dinosaur Society (05:31). Notice the subtle use of comparative visuals, like the deepest hole humans have ever drilled (03:25) when discussing the earth's crust. Overall I think it's great work.
I do have one quibble
In... Continue Reading
In the US, it's painfully obvious that political debates have become more distinctly partisan in recent years. Nearly every event or message can be seen as favoring one side over the other. This represents a real challenge for journalists and there is a lot of debate about the role of balance in the news.
It's no different for explainers. If we want to increase understanding for everyone, we must present information in a form that avoids political persuasion. This means taking partisanship out... Continue Reading
Hints of Big News To Come
Posted by: leelefever on September 11, 2013- 3:24pm
Topic: Art of Explanation
Categories: articles, explainer, explainer video, goanimate
Next week we'll be sharing details about an exciting development here at Common Craft that relates to helping you become a better explainer. As a warmup, I've contributed a few guest blog posts over at GoAnimate, which is hosting what they call "ExplainerWeek". If you're not familiar with GoAnimate, it's a platform that makes it easy to produce animated videos using only a website. More on that soon.
Here are links to the blog posts:
What is an Explainer Video?
Does Your Business Need an... Continue Reading
Want a Successful Revolution? Find an Explainer
Posted by: leelefever on May 17, 2013- 10:47am
Topic: Art of Explanation
Categories: book, explainer, quote, revolution
Jason Kottke pointed me to a passage from the Kurt Vonnegut novel Bluebeard, where he outlines the three types of specialists that are needed for success in a revolution. Remarkably, one is an explainer.
Here’s the passage:
Slazinger claims to have learned from history that most people cannot open their minds to new ideas unless a mind-opening teams with a peculiar membership goes to work on them.
Otherwise, life will go on exactly as before, no matter how painful, unrealistic, unjust,... Continue Reading
Ben Crawford is one of the founders of Epipheo Studios. I first saw Epipheo's early video work in 2009 and immediately became a fan. They have a knack for making ideas easy to understand in a very informal, disarming way. Since that time I've become friends with Ben and watched Epipheo transform into an innovative company that's looking beyond animation and creating their own way to make a difference in communication.
I asked Ben to answer a few questions about himself and what's happening... Continue Reading
Lilipip Has Become What Now? Exactly!
Posted by: leelefever on April 2, 2012- 10:12am
Topic: Explainer Network
For over two years a company called Lilipip has been a member of our Explainer Network of video producers. Jen Zug and her team have run the show at Lilipip for while and now that Lilipip's owner has decided to pursue other things, the creative team decided to "keep the band together" and relaunch as a new company. Their new company is called What Now? Exactly! and starting today, it will replace Lilipip on the Explainer Network. We've always loved Lilipip's video explanations and expect... Continue Reading