2MT video: A new explanation video: What is information design?

tl;dr — I piggybacked on a crisis, uncovering an opportunity… and we ended up with a cool new video.

Just before the pandemic hit, I wrote a short blog post trying to explain “information design” in plain language. Nothing academic — just a simple, everyday explanation with real-world examples.

Unrelated to that, I was set to fly to California in March to help produce a video for a biotech client. The plan was to film executives delivering scripted messages about a big change initiative, with motion graphics added later. Cue sunshine, camera crews, and campus-wide filming.

Then the pandemic hit. Everything shut down. No travel. No crews. Everyone — us and the client — suddenly working from home. But the client still needed to launch their initiative, and the videos still had to happen.

We brainstormed alternatives. The (logistical) winner: Executives self-filming at home, with supporting animations layered around them. Simple in theory, but in practice… not so much. We had to figure out tripods, teleprompter apps, lighting, mics, and how to support senior leaders doing this at home.

To help them, I tested the setup myself. I used my iPhone, stood in front of my beat-up whiteboard, and recorded a short video version of that old blog post. Lockdown beard and all.

That little test proved we needed to simplify the process — but became the seed for a new internal project. Eventually, we turned that rough recording into a fully illustrated and animated video.

And now, it’s episode #1 of a new series: Two minutes of Tremendousness.

This first one answers the question: What is information design?

Would this video exist without that original crisis? Maybe not. But it’s proof that setbacks can lead to great things — if you pay attention.

Hope you enjoy it.

Originally published October 12, 2021.