Animation provides an engaging way to tell stories and express ideas that are difficult to communicate using just words or still images. Animation is also used for many purposes outside of entertainment. Here are some ways digital animation is utilized in different industries and businesses.
1. Animation in advertising
Advertising is an industry that has always used animation to attract attention. Commercials, television ads, and product packaging often feature animated characters or include some type of transitional effect in the presentation of information. Video marketing strategies are popular because they often include animation to explain a concept. In marketing, animation can portray concepts in a way that’s difficult for words alone to convey.
2. Animation in training and education
Unlike traditional instructional videos with a person on camera explaining a specific subject, animated characters or objects within an educational video help stimulate interest in the subject matter. Characters provide a relatable element that helps the viewer relate to the concepts being taught. For example, a character may have a similar experience to what the viewer experiences in their daily life.
3. Animation for safety and training programs
Often used by a company’s human resource department, animated safety videos depict common safety challenges that employees may face while on the job. Animated characters demonstrate safe behaviors and explain why those actions are necessary. For example, a video can explain why shouting or using devices while operating heavy machinery are not safe behaviors.
4. Animation for product development
Some products are so large in size that it’s almost impossible to visualize the finished model without some type of animation. Engineers and manufacturers use animation software to show how hydraulic systems move, what the finished product will look like, and how it can be used.
5. Animation for political campaigns
Political campaigns are one of the few types of businesses that use animation as a storytelling tool to convey their message. From cartoons that have been made about candidates to explain their platforms, to videos that play at rallies or on websites explaining why citizens should vote for them, animation helps campaigns stand out and reach a wider audience.
6. Animation for medical purposes
Animation is used in the medical community to explain certain concepts or procedures without relying on graphic images of surgery or other medical procedures that may be disturbing to patients. Animated characters are used instead of real people to help patients imagine themselves as a character in the story, and to follow along with what is being presented. In this way, animation helps patients understand their options for treatment, or allows them to imagine what life might look like after surgery.
7. Animation for software development
Software engineers use animation as a way to show a simulated environment. An example of this would be a video game, which animates the environment and characters in order to recreate a realistic experience for players. For software engineering and product development companies, animation is used to show what the finished version of a program will look like when it’s finally finished.
8. Animation for military training
Soldiers need to learn various skills that they may not encounter in their day-to-day life, such as how to use certain equipment or respond in dangerous situations. Using animation helps military personnel practice and recognize potential risks before they happen for real.
9. Animation for technical services
Technical services include fixing or repairing various systems or equipment. To demonstrate proper methods for servicing certain equipment, technicians often use animation to show what the process looks like without having to create a video of someone actually performing the task. For example, if an engineer needs to fix a broken wire on a piece of heavy machinery that’s too large to be transported to a lab, they can use animation software to demonstrate how the wire should be repaired.
10. Animation for history education
The use of animation in history education is becoming increasingly popular. Animated characters are used to tell stories about historic events, personas, or eras that can be difficult to explain with words alone. Historical figures often come alive in the stories told by animators, which helps students understand their place within history and makes these important lessons more relatable for students. Even dinosaurs and extinct animals are brought back to life using animation, which helps students understand how these species are related to living animals.
Animation is a powerful tool that can be used in many industries. From manufacturing to military training, animation has been shown to help companies make complex processes understandable for the average person. It also helps in educating the public of certain things that are difficult to understand with just the use of words and texts.
