Story of Stuff

I watched both the story of cosmetics and bottled water. Did not know what to expect when I first started watching these but I have to say that I am impressed. These videos addressed very important topics, some that the normal person wouldn’t normally think about when pondering world issues, and were very successful in both persuasive and educational aspects.

The main thing that impressed me with these videos is the incredible simplicity of them. They showcase the age old saying that “less is more,” and show how it can be used in design. They are essentially short animated vide0-infographics. They strip down to the basics here with the use of black and white, simple animation. They used only what was needed to make important points while keeping the viewer engaged with interesting animations moving at a fast pace.

Another reason these videos were successful is that they used a simple, dialogic tone. They were clear in defining complex topics and using this to keep a positive tone. The dialogue also went hand in hand with what was being presented in the animation. I thought the simple illustration of the “system” was particularly effective. I felt like I learned something after watching, which shows how successful they are.

I definitely took away some lessons not only about the topics addressed, but about how to present information in a simple and effective way. And I think a large part of the success can be credited to the simplicity. When something like a video, or an infographic or an article overwhelms with complex information, chances are the viewer will loose interest or become confused. The Story of Stuff series shows a great example of how we can present information in a simplistic way.