Humans have been captivated by stories for millennia. However, the methods of storytelling have undergone a dramatic transformation thanks to technology.
With advancements like augmented and virtual reality, we have the power to tell stories in ways that were unimaginable before. And this evolution shows no signs of stopping.
So, what does the future hold for storytelling? How will augmented and virtual reality shape its course? Let’s delve deeper into this fascinating topic and find out.
The Evolution of Brand Storytelling: A Powerful Tool in Marketing
Storytelling is as old as humanity itself. From our ancestors huddled around a fire sharing tales of the hunt, to modern-day book clubs dissecting the latest bestseller or podcasts unraveling captivating narratives – stories have always been at the heart of human interaction.
Stories, however, are more than just vehicles for entertainment. They are powerful tools that can create deep connections and engagement with audiences. And nowhere is this more evident than in animated explainer videos for the world of marketing.
In recent years, we’ve seen an evolution in storytelling, particularly in how emotional triggers are used to engage audiences. When we hear a compelling story, our brains release oxytocin, known as the “bonding hormone.” This elicits feelings of empathy, connection, and trust—essential ingredients for effective communication. Dopamine, the “reward hormone,” keeps us engaged and helps with recall, while serotonin, associated with well-being and happiness, leaves us feeling satisfied.
You can read more about this in our blog on the Science of Storytelling
It’s clear that stories are no longer just amusing pastimes. They’re major players in marketing and brand awareness. They allow brands to connect with their audiences on a deeper, more personal level.
So, how can you harness the power of storytelling in your marketing efforts? Start by being authentic. Authenticity resonates with people. Draw from real-life experiences, as they tend to be more relatable and engaging. Remember, your audience is smart. They can sense insincerity from a mile away.
Next, consider your storytelling channels. In today’s digital age, there are numerous platforms to share your stories. Social media animation, podcasts, blogs – each offers unique ways to engage your audience with compelling narratives.
And now, new interactive formats are emerging to make animated content even more engaging, and harder working for brand marketers.
What are Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality?
There are some clear differences, yet distinct similarities between these three technologies.
- Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is an immersive, interactive blending of digital elements. This could be a visual overlay, for example.
This has wider uses than storytelling or smartphone games. It can be used to create digitally enhanced training experiences for soldiers.
- Virtual Reality
Virtual reality comprises mainly auditory and visual stimulation and has been used by B2B clients like TMF Group, we created an exhibition launch film to showcase their VR app. A VR experience is a computer-generated one that takes place in an immersive environment.
- Mixed Reality
Also known as hybrid reality, mixed reality is the blending of the real and virtual world. Digital and physical elements not only exist together, but interact.
What Does This Mean for Storytelling?
Audiences of the future will experience the real world around us in a completely different way.
This provides creative businesses and technology experts with an exciting opportunity to find new ways to captivate the public. Virtual, mixed and augmented reality storytelling are set to transform how we perceive our environment.
From the entertainment industry to schools, the UK is positioned to be at the forefront of this tech revolution.
What will the future hold?
Some new funding, up to £33 million, was provided by the government to develop new products and services that exploit immersive technologies, such as AR apps.
Investments were made in areas such as:
- Research into new technology
- Development of these technologies
- A demonstrator programme
- A cutting-edge creative training centre
- Research programmes in immersive storytelling
All of this helped UK innovators and creatives position themselves as leaders in immersive tech. This support captured the world’s attention and helped to grow the UK’s market’s position in revolutionising creative content.
Content Creatures: Design-led storytelling for B2B Brands
Speaking of creative content, we like to have our finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest developments in storytelling.
We’re a creative agency that specialises in animation, motion design and branding whatever the format – whether online brand marketing or interactive animation for global brands. We love being able to help you bring brands to life, so if you’ve got any big ideas don’t hesitate to drop us a line.
Brand storytelling in animation is the process of creating a narrative around a company, product or service to emotionally connect with an audience and build brand loyalty. It involves using animation, visuals or motion graphics to tell a story about the brand that resonates with the target market. This technique helps brands differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace by tapping into people’s emotions and helping them form meaningful connections with consumers. This type of storytelling can be used for ads, presentations, websites, social media campaigns and other marketing materials. By engaging people on an emotional level through animated stories, brands can create stronger relationships with their customers and successfully stand out from rivals.
The use of animation in brand storytelling can be a powerful tool to engage audiences and share stories in an interesting, creative way. Its ability to take complex concepts and portray them as visually appealing helps strengthen the connection between a company and its customers. Animation also makes it easier to convey messages more quickly than with traditional methods, allowing brands to better communicate their values, identity and key messages in a concise yet impactful manner. Additionally, animations offer great opportunities for brand promotion through social media campaigns or video marketing that can help boost engagement levels. Finally, it allows you to control the narrative of your story while delivering maximum emotional impact – something that can often be difficult with live-action videos or images.
Creating a successful brand story through animation involves understanding the message you want to convey and designing an animation that brings this vision into life. Create a well-reasoned, relatable narrative arc with characters, story points, and visuals chosen carefully. Sound design is important, as it can enhance the overall message of the animation. Lastly, it is important to make sure that your brand’s values are conveyed throughout the entire piece. With careful planning and creativity, a successful brand story through animation can be crafted. For the best chance of success, work with a specialist agency like Content Creatures.
Explainer videos are a great way to tell a brand’s story through animation. These are short, animated videos that use characters and/or motion graphics to explain concepts or products in an engaging way. Explainer videos can explain complex topics in a simple, easy-to-understand manner without using too much text or visuals. They can also teach customers about how a product works, introduce them to new features and show them the benefits of the service offered by the business. Animated explainer videos offer interactive elements such as animated characters that make content more engaging and add visual interest. They also keep viewers’ attention longer than traditional text or image-based materials, making it easier for potential customers to learn about your brand’s story quickly and effectively.
Yes, one of the main challenges with using animation to tell a brand’s story is simplifying the message so that it is clear and easy to understand. The narrative needs to be compelling enough to capture viewers’ attention and draw them in, while also conveying the product or service’s value. Animation should be used strategically throughout the story and each frame should build towards a larger purpose. Animations should use simple language, no jargon or complex technical terms, as well as visual metaphors so audiences can quickly comprehend why a product or service is important to them. Additionally, when incorporating sound into animations, music and other audio cues should support rather than detract from the story being told.