If you have incorporated eLearning in your employee training programs, using animation as a tool for getting the right message across is a natural order of progression. The immense scope for optimization and customization makes it one of the most effective tools in the realm of corporate training today. From orientation training to safety, sensitization, and technical training programs, animation can have diverse applications. However, the effectiveness and success of animation in corporate training depend largely on the content provider you partner with. That’s why going over the eLearning animation companies with a fine-tooth-comb is essential for using this interactive element in your training programs optimally.
The need for animation in corporate training
As eLearning becomes more and more commonplace, training programs need novel elements to attract and engage employees now more than ever. This is a new era in corporate training, and animation will play an integral role in it. Every corporate training program, irrespective of its nature and objective, stands to benefit from using animation. Some of the key traits that animation brings to training programs include:
- Breaking down complex content into bite-sized pieces of information aids ease of consumption and processing of new knowledge
- It helps create an engaging environment for learners where information can be easily absorbed
- It provides a better user experience as compared to learning from text-based online courses or talking head videos
- Visual content has a higher retention value than text-based information
- Adults’ approach to learning is markedly different than that of students. Animations are better suited for imparting new knowledge to working professionals who have been removed from the process of text-based learning for long
- Complex concepts introduced through corporate training are often hard to understand and boring. Animation is the perfect tool to breach that barrier and get the message across to the learner
- Animation also helps in demonstrating the application of processes in work processes, making it easier for employees to adopt them in real-life work settings
- It adds an element of experiential learning to corporate training programs
- The story-based mode of imparting training facilitates emotional investment in the learning process and motivates people to soak up these new learning experiences
How to select the best eLearning animation company?
When you start looking at eLearning animation companies, you’ll realize that there are a lot of players. To zero in on one that is best suited to your needs and objectives can seem like a herculean task. Needless to say, it is better to err on the side of caution than take a hurried decision that will cost you dearly in terms of cost, time, and effort.
Here is a checklist of factors to evaluate before you employ the services of an animation company for your corporate training program:
1. Go Over Their Portfolio
The first step for choosing from among the best eLearning companies available to you is to go over their work portfolios. This will help you get a fair idea about their quality and proficiency. See if their past projects are in line with your company’s training objectives and requirements.
Also, focus on the quality of animation in these projects. Are they capable of weaving a good narrative around the course content? Is the video flow dynamic and smooth? Do the visuals appeal to you? Are they created from scratch or sourced from a clip art gallery? How is the audio quality? Is the voiceover clear? Are the music and other sound effects smooth?
2. Number of Projects Completed
While you’re looking at the quality of their work, don’t overlook the quantity. Get an insight into the project-completion rate of the various eLearning animation companies you’re considering for the task.
Experience plays a crucial role in honing the skills and abilities of design professionals. And so, an animation studio that has completed more projects definitely has the edge over newbies. If you have two competing companies with the same amount of experience, the one with a bigger portfolio is the preferable option.
3. Focus on the Treatment of Videos
When evaluating the work of an animation company, pay attention to their treatment of videos. The main idea of using animations is to strike a chord with your audience. You need to view the treatment of videos from that perspective. Are they using a mix of interesting characters and tapping into varied emotions to make the content engaging?
You don’t need to be an expert in the field of animation to make that assessment. Look at it as a viewer. Are you able to connect with the video content? Is the message clear and concise? Does the video leave you wanting to learn more? If the answer to all these questions is yes, you have found yourself a potential partner to work with.
4. Look for Passion
Animation is a creative job. No matter how skilled a professional is in using different tech tools, they cannot do justice to bringing a story alive on-screen unless they’re passionate about what they do.
Deep love and enthusiasm for their work are the key qualities you should look for in eLearning animation companies. Always choose the ones who are as excited about the project as you, if not more, over those who have thrown their hat in the ring for sourcing their next paycheck.
5. Understand The Customer Service Ethos
An animation studio may be proficient, skilled, and enthusiastic about their work. You can trust them to deliver high-quality content. But will this content be in line with your training objectives without constant communication and feedback from your end? So the customer service ethos of eLearning animation companies is definitely something to factor in when making the final choice.
To do this, simply pay attention to how promptly they respond to your queries and questions, and how detailed their responses are. Ask them upfront if they’d be open to letting you or a company representative be actively involved in the production process. This aspect has to be non-negotiable because no third-party vendor can understand your requirements as well as you do.
6. Seek Feedback from Old Clients
Once you have shortlisted two or three eLearning animation companies, reach out to their old clients for feedback. You can look at the ratings, reviews, and testimonials on the company’s web page, and then contact these clients to understand what their experience of working with the said animation studio was like. A company that is confident about its abilities and past records would be forthcoming in sharing past client details with you.
7. Work Out The Financial Aspects
Money is one of the most critical factors when choosing an eLearning animation company to work with. Not only do you have to consider whether their services are well within your budget but also factor in the ROI on the entire project. Remember that affordability often means substandard quality, and compromising on it can hurt your training initiatives. Besides, a lot of companies make cost-effective projections at the beginning of a project but have hidden costs that can escalate the final budget remarkably.
This is one area where you need to tread cautiously when choosing from among different eLearning animation providers. A symbiotic relationship between your animation partners and your organization is critical for successfully incorporating this element into your eLearning process. Choose wisely!
If you are looking for animated videos for eLearning to engage your learners, get in touch with us! We can help you transform your content and bring it to life with strategic messaging, stunning visuals, and excellent animations.
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