The European Parliament and Council of the European Union passed the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018. It was a significant development, and the Scottish Parliament commissioned this video to raise awareness of the implications of not complying with the new laws.
I am writing this several years after the video was released. Well-crafted motion design ages like a fine wine, and this is a video that I still find enjoyable to watch. This is how I ultimately judge my work – beyond whether the client was happy and if the animation performed its function (which they were, and it did) – do I enjoy watching it?
However, even if I feel this video has aged well, it is not timeless. There are specific elements that attach it to a certain point in time. For example, the slow zoom through the letters of the acronym pays homage to the bold typography of the titles for Stranger Things. Looking back, I can also identify a particular trend in motion design for bright gradients. That said, looking at the mood board and style frame is still a pleasure – I love the bright colours popping off the dark backgrounds with those luscious glows. It was an enjoyable trend that still has legs.
The elements that give a particular video longevity may include a great script, strong typography, interesting concepts, thoughtful design, and motion that is fluid and impactful. However, the elements are not sufficient in themselves. The heart of the matter is storytelling. When all the elements align to support the telling of a story, that's when the magic happens. Effective animation and motion graphics are a craft that has the power to engage an audience on all kinds of subjects, even those that might otherwise be considered dry (such as changes in legislation ;)). Choosing video as a medium to transfer knowledge and information is a wonderful gift. However, if you can engage viewers emotionally, then you transcend basic instruction and enter the magical land of storytelling – my favourite place to teach as well as to learn.