For this exercise, we were tasked to find existing animations which relate to our chosen topic. Since clean energy is a vastly popular topic, there were many videos on the subject. My animation relates the most to the chosen three since it covers the topic overall.

TED-Ed: Can 100% renewable energy power the world?

Purpose

TED-Ed provides the video, and so it is used for educational purposes. The overall consensus describes the challenges we currently face while using fossil fuels to power the world. Conversely, the video also shows solutions to those challenges and explains why the answers could be challenging.

Many comments under the Youtube video reply that they have used the video to be shown in classrooms for children and university lectures, implying the video suits a wide variety of people. This is a crucial point to take from the video, as this is the aim of the animation I am set to create.

Design

The components of this animation have been kept simple, but they have a significant effect. The transitions between each frame are seamless, often using existing elements on the screen; an example of this is displayed in figure 2. The video makes great use of green, which relates to clean energy, often referred to as green energy.

The animation style isn’t the typical cartoon-like design; it allows the video to stand out as it differs from most existing animations on the topic. I enjoy the video for this reason. Whilst the subject of the issue can be seen as boring for some, this would be an excellent video for the younger generation as the animation is fast-moving and uses a childlike style/imagery. As my animation aims to suit everyone, this is a great design idea to keep in mind when creating my own. The comments under the youtube video applauding the design are plentiful.

The only downside to the video is the overwhelming amount of information; however, its fast pace and design could counter out the intense content.

Examples of Audience Comments

All images are clickable.

Peninsula Clean Energy: An Animated Guide to Peninsula Clean Energy

Purpose

Peninsula Energy is an environmental agency based in California, United States of America. They provide low-cost energy through renewable resources and are a non-profit company.

The video promotes their organisation by explaining their ethos, what they do and how they work. Whilst this is more of a promotional video as opposed to educational, they still provide some essential information and make great use of animation to do so.

Design

Of the three chosen videos, the design of this one isn’t my favourite. The colour palette could be much brighter, engaging the customer more. However, just like the first animation, it has a very simplistic design and is more favourable than busy animations, in my opinion.

Student Energy: Renewable Energy 101

Purpose

Just like the TED-Ed video, this video is also made for educational purposes. It begins by explaining what renewable energy means and what types there are.

Design

The overall design of the animation is simple; they use a limited colour palette with the primary colours being blue, green and grey as a contrast colour. They also pair simple imagery with a short text to emphasise what the narrator is speaking about, which is beneficial for educational purposes. Each individual component is animated, but it is not too overwhelming as it is simple but effective.

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References

• Peninsula Clean Energy. 2023. Background. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/background/. [Accessed 20 February 2023].
• Peninsula Clean Energy. (2016). An Animated Guide to Peninsula Clean Energy. [Online Video]. 28 September 2016. Available from: https://youtu.be/6epuKXy4MvQ. [Accessed: 20 February 2023].
• Student Energy. (2015). Renewable Energy 101. [Online Video]. 18 May 2015. Available from: https://youtu.be/T4xKThjcKaE. [Accessed: 20 February 2023].
• TED-Ed. (2017). Can 100% renewable energy power the world? – Federico Rosei and Renzo Rosei. [Online Video]. 7 December 2017. Available from: https://youtu.be/RnvCbquYeIM. [Accessed: 20 February 2023].