Animations are used only when process or sequence of events is to be visually taught. The description of the visuals and presentation is to be written step-by-step. The text for the title and/or label should be written within the quotation marks and captions are avoided.
Animated visuals could be of three types:
Simple
Complex
Compound
Reference graphics from the Internet should not be embedded into the storyboard because of IPR restrictions. If the customer has provided reference or actual graphics, you can provide the file name (as identified in the Multimedia Source Library) in the storyboard, but never the actual graphic itself.
The simple animation is presented with a “Play” button, as the information is minimal and linear.
The following example demonstrates how to correctly write description for simple animation.
Let’s now learn how to construct an equilateral triangle.
We first start with a segment AB which defines the length of the side of the desired triangle. The result is an equilateral triangle PQR, the length of whose sides is equal to AB. Pick a point that will be one vertex of the finished triangle. Then place the point of the compass on the point A and set its drawing end to point B. The compass is now set to the length of the sides of the finished triangle. Do not disturb the angle of compass. Now, with the compass point on P, make two arcs, each roughly where the other two vertices of the triangle will be. On one of the arcs, mark a point Q that will be a second vertex of the triangle. It does not matter which arc you pick, or where on the arc you draw the point. Then, place the compass point on Q and draw an arc that crosses the other arc, creating point R. Now, using the straightedge, draw three lines linking the points P, Q and R. This concludes the construction of an equilateral triangle, of which the side length is equal to the distance AB.
Animation Description
On-screen visual: Illustration of a segment, “AB”
Step 1: A point “P” appears.
Step 2: A compass, with its point placed at “A” stretches the drawing end to point “B”.
Step 3: Without any change in angle, the compass then moves toward point “P” and the compass point rests on point “P”.
Step 4: With compass point on “P”, the drawing end makes two arcs, each roughly where the other two vertices of the triangle will be.
Step 5: On one of the arcs, a point “Q” appears.
Step 6: The compass keeping the angle constant moves toward point “Q” and the compass point rests on point “Q”.
Step 7: The drawing end of the compass draws an arc that crosses the other arc creating point “R”.
Step 8: A ruler and a drawing pencil links the points “P”, “Q”, and “R”.
Animation has a “Play” button at the bottom. On clicking the button at the start, the on-screen visual fades away and the animation starts from step 1.
In this example, simple animation is used with a “Play” button, as the information is minimal and linear.
The following non-example demonstrates how not to write description for simple animation.
Let’s now learn how to construct an equilateral triangle.
We first start with a segment AB which defines the length of the side of the desired triangle. The result is an equilateral triangle PQR, the length of whose sides is equal to AB. Pick a point that will be one vertex of the finished triangle. Then place the point of the compass on the point A and set its drawing end to point B. The compass is now set to the length of the sides of the finished triangle. Do not disturb the angle of compass. Now, with the compass point on P, make two arcs, each roughly where the other two vertices of the triangle will be. On one of the arcs, mark a point Q that will be a second vertex of the triangle. It does not matter which arc you pick, or where on the arc you draw the point. Then, place the compass point on Q and draw an arc that crosses the other arc, creating point R. Now, using the straightedge, draw three lines linking the points P, Q and R. This concludes the construction of an equilateral triangle, of which the side length is equal to the distance AB.
Animation Description
On-screen visual: Illustration of segment AB
Step 1: A point P appears.
Step 2: A compass, with its point placed at A, stretches the drawing end to point B.
Step 3: Without any change in angle, the compass then moves toward point P and the compass point rests on point P.
Step 4: With compass point on P, the drawing end makes two arcs, each roughly where the other two vertices of the triangle will be.
Step 5: On one of the arcs, a point Q appears.
Step 6: The compass keeping the angle constant moves toward point Q and the compass point rests on point Q.
Step 7: The drawing end of the compass draws an arc that crosses the other arc creating point R.
Step 8: A ruler and a drawing pencil links the points P, Q and R.
Animation has a “Play” button at the bottom.
In this non-example, while describing simple animation, the instruction for “Play” button is not provided. Fade away instructions are not mentioned too.
In complex animation, a “Play-slider” button is provided, as there’s ample information in each step that may require a review.
The following example demonstrates how to correctly write description for complex animation.
The water cycle is a process by which water circulates around the Earth. Let’s now learn about the various processes that govern the water cycle.
Evaporation: Water is transferred from the surface to the atmosphere through evaporation, the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas. Approximately 80% of all evaporation is from the oceans, with the remaining 20% coming from inland water and vegetation.
Precipitation: Water as water vapor is transported into the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration, but eventually falls back to the earth. 90% of this water vapor returns to the ocean and 10% returns the land as precipitation. Precipitation can take the form of rain, snow, or fog.
Runoff: Water either from the land’s surface or as groundwater makes its way to the ocean.
Groundwater Production: Precipitation that falls on the land and subsequently seeps through the porous rock and soil, pooling above layers of impermeable rock, serves as the source for ground water. The porous rock under which groundwater is stored in is called as aquifer. An aquifer can be drilled to provide wells for fresh water.
Animation Description
On-screen visual: Illustration with title “Water Cycle” showing “snow mountain”, “ocean”, “sun’, and “rain cloud”
Step 1: A blazing sun. An arrow with label “Evaporation” moving upwards from ocean, towards the sky causing formation of rain clouds. Fade-in passage: “Water is transferred from the surface to the atmosphere through evaporation, the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas. Approximately 80% of all evaporation is from the oceans, with the remaining 20% coming from inland water and vegetation.”
Step 2: Rain trickling down from the rain cloud and snow melting from the mountains meeting the ocean. An arrow with label “Precipitation”. Fade-in passage: “Water as water vapor is transported into the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration, but eventually falls back to the earth. 90% of this water vapor returns to the ocean and 10% returns the land as precipitation. Precipitation can take the form of rain, snow, or fog.”
Step 3: Simultaneously, water from land surface and ground water starts flowing to the ocean.
Step 4: All fade away and on-screen visual appears.
Animation has Play-slider at the bottom. On clicking the button on the slider, at the start, the on-screen visual fades away and the animation starts from Step 1. Slider-button returns to start of the slider in Step 4.
In this example, complex animation with a “Play-Slider” button is used, as there’s ample information in each step that may require a review.
The following non-example demonstrates how not to write description for compound animation.
The water cycle is a process by which water circulates around the Earth. Let’s now learn about the various processes that govern the water cycle.
Evaporation: Water is transferred from the surface to the atmosphere through evaporation, the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas. Approximately 80% of all evaporation is from the oceans, with the remaining 20% coming from inland water and vegetation.
Precipitation: Water as water vapor is transported into the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration, but eventually falls back to the earth. 90% of this water vapor returns to the ocean and 10% returns the land as precipitation. Precipitation can take the form of rain, snow, or fog.
Runoff: Water either from the land’s surface or as groundwater makes its way to the ocean.
Groundwater Production: Precipitation that falls on the land and subsequently seeps through the porous rock and soil, pooling above layers of impermeable rock, serves as the source for ground water. The porous rock under which groundwater is stored in is called as aquifer. An aquifer can be drilled to provide wells for fresh water.
Animation Description
On-screen visual: Illustration with title “Water Cycle” showing “snow mountain”, “ocean”, “sun’, and “rain cloud”
Step 1: A blazing sun. An arrow with label “Evaporation” moving upwards from ocean towards the sky causing formation of rain clouds. Fade-in passage: “Water is transferred from the surface to the atmosphere through evaporation, the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas. Approximately 80% of all evaporation is from the oceans, with the remaining 20% coming from inland water and vegetation.”
Step 2: Rain trickling down from the rain cloud and snow melting from the mountains meeting the ocean. An arrow with label “Precipitation”. Fade-in passage: “Water as water vapor is transported into the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration, but eventually falls back to the earth. 90% of this water vapor returns to the ocean and 10% returns the land as precipitation. Precipitation can take the form of rain, snow, or fog.”
Step 3: Simultaneously, water from land surface and ground water flowing to the ocean.
In this non-example, each step is a stand-alone piece of information without a “Play-slider”. Also, the instruction for the fading out of previous animation at every step is missing.
The compound animation is presented with other step-wise buttons in addition to a “Play” button, as each step is also stand-alone piece of information that may require a review.
The following example demonstrates how to correctly write description for compound animation.
Human body comprises some of the major systems such has respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems. These systems work together in sustaining the millions of cells that make up the human body. Let’s study these systems in human body in detail.
Respiratory System: The primary function of the respiratory system is to supply the blood with oxygen in order for the blood to deliver oxygen to all parts of the body. The respiratory system does this through breathing. When we breathe, we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. This exchange of gases is the respiratory system's means of getting oxygen to the blood.
Circulatory System: The Circulatory System is responsible for transporting materials throughout the entire body. It transports nutrients, water, and oxygen to your billions of body cells and carries away wastes such as carbon dioxide that body cells produce. It is an amazing highway that travels through your entire body connecting all your body cells.
Digestive System: The human digestive system is a complex series of organs and glands that processes food. In order to use the food we eat, our body has to break the food down into smaller molecules that it can process; it also has to excrete waste.
Animation Description
On-screen visual: Illustration of cross section of visceral human body with respiratory system with its parts labeled as “ rib muscles”, “diaphragm muscle”, “lungs”, “tissue” ; circulatory system with its parts labeled as “heart”, “blood” and “blood vessels” and; digestive system with its parts labeled as “mouth”, “esophagus”, “stomach”, “small intestine”, “large intestine” and “rectum”.
Step 1: The body gets oxygen from the air. Rib muscles contract to pull ribs up and out. The diaphragm muscle contracts to pull down the lungs. Tissue expands to suck in air. Rib muscles relax. The diaphragm muscle relaxes. Tissue returns to resting position and forces air out. Fade-in passage: “The respiratory system supplies the blood with oxygen in order for the blood to deliver oxygen to all parts of the body. The respiratory system does this through breathing. When we breathe, we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide”.
Step 2: Previous passage fades out. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body. Arteries are vessels that carry blood away from the heart. Veins are vessels that carry blood back to the heart. Blood circulates all around your body in about one or two minutes. Inside the heart are four hollow chambers. Each chamber is a little pump. The pumping pushes blood all around your body. Fade-in passage: “The Circulatory System is responsible for transporting materials throughout the entire body. It transports nutrients, water, and oxygen to your billions of body cells and carries away wastes such as carbon dioxide that body cells produce. It is an amazing highway that travels through your entire body connecting all your body cells.”
Step 3: Previous pop-up fades out. The food enters the moth and it is chewed. After chewing, it enters the esophagus that runs through the stomach where it is partly digested. Then the food enters the small intestine and passes in to the large intestine. At the end of the process the solid waste is excreted via rectum. Fade-in passage: “The human digestive system is a complex series of organs and glands that processes food. In order to use the food we eat, our body has to break the food down into smaller molecules that it can process; it also has to excrete waste.”
Step 4: All fade away and on-screen visual reappears.
Animation has a Play button and three other buttons labeled “Respiration”, “Circulation”, and “Digestion” at the bottom. On page launch, only the Play button is enabled. On clicking the Play button, at the start, the on-screen visual fades away and the animation starts from Step 1 and progresses linearly. As each step is completed, the corresponding button is enabled for reviewing that step. After all steps are completed, all buttons are enabled.
In this example, compound animation is used with three other step-wise buttons in addition to a “Play” button, as each step is also stand-alone piece of information that may require a review.
The following non-example demonstrates how not to write description for complex animation.
Human body comprises some of the major systems such has respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems. These systems work together in sustaining the millions of cells that make up the human body. Let’s study these systems in human body in detail.
Respiratory System: The primary function of the respiratory system is to supply the blood with oxygen in order for the blood to deliver oxygen to all parts of the body. The respiratory system does this through breathing. When we breathe, we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. This exchange of gases is the respiratory system's means of getting oxygen to the blood.
Circulatory System: The Circulatory System is responsible for transporting materials throughout the entire body. It transports nutrients, water, and oxygen to your billions of body cells and carries away wastes such as carbon dioxide that body cells produce. It is an amazing highway that travels through your entire body connecting all your body cells.
Digestive System: The human digestive system is a complex series of organs and glands that processes food. In order to use the food we eat, our body has to break the food down into smaller molecules that it can process; it also has to excrete waste.
Animation Description
On-screen visual: Illustration of cross section of visceral human body with respiratory system with its parts labeled as “rib muscles”, “diaphragm muscle”, “lungs”, “tissue” ; circulatory system with its parts labeled as “heart”, “blood” and “blood vessels” and; digestive system with its parts labeled as “mouth”, “esophagus”, “stomach”, “small intestine”, “large intestine” and “rectum”.
Step 1: The body gets oxygen from the air. Rib muscles contract to pull ribs up and out. The diaphragm muscle contracts to pull down the lungs. Tissue expands to suck in air. Rib muscles relax. The diaphragm muscle relaxes. Tissue returns to resting position and forces air out. Fade-in passage: “The respiratory system supplies the blood with oxygen in order for the blood to deliver oxygen to all parts of the body. The respiratory system does this through breathing. When we breathe, we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide”
Step 2: Previous passage fades out. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body. Arteries are vessels that carry blood away from the heart. Veins are vessels that carry blood back to the heart. Blood circulates all around your body in about one or two minutes. Inside the heart are four hollow chambers. Each chamber is a little pump. The pumping pushes blood all around your body. Fade-in passage: “The Circulatory System is responsible for transporting materials throughout the entire body. It transports nutrients, water, and oxygen to your billions of body cells and carries away wastes such as carbon dioxide that body cells produce. It is an amazing highway that travels through your entire body connecting all your body cells.”
Step 3: Previous pop-up fades out. The food enters the moth and it is chewed. After chewing, it enters the esophagus that runs through the stomach where it is partly digested. Then the food enters the small intestine and passes in to the large intestine. At the end of the process the solid waste is excreted via rectum. Fade-in passage: “The human digestive system is a complex series of organs and glands that processes food. In order to use the food we eat, our body has to break the food down into smaller molecules that it can process; it also has to excrete waste.”
Step 4: All fade away and on-screen visual reappears
Animation has a play button at the bottom. On clicking the button, the on-screen visual fades away and animation starts from Step 1.
In this non-example, the description for animation and instruction for “Play” button are provided. However, additional step-wise buttons are not provided and so if a particular step has to be reviewed again, the entire animation starts from the beginning.