How having an animated character can help you communicate better with your audience

 While online communication accounts for a major percentage of our communication, studies suggest that putting our computers, tablets, and phones away for a while and focusing on old-fashioned, face-to-face contact may provide the following results: Body language conveys 55 percent of what is spoken, although words only represent 7 percent. The remaining 38% is communicated by voice tone.

Whether we watch an explanatory video, use a training tool, or play a game, we are encouraged to participate, and we are more inclined to do so if we feel connected in some way. Using letters to create this relationship is a fantastic way to go about it. The boy in the picture below is Ollie, a character we created for Ollie and Dog. Ollie and Dog is a children's cartoon series that explains growth hormone deficiency. A illness like growth hormone deficiency might be terrifying and upsetting to a child, but when conveyed by an appealing cartoon character, the information becomes significantly less frightening.

Characters are the means through which a story or concept is told. Things happen to them or 'through' them, and we experience their feelings as if they were our own, empathising with them. A great character portrays the human condition in such a way that we feel deeply linked to the topic or event being conveyed. We, the audience, are receptive to a message if a well-liked character is.

Is it feasible that any character might have the same effect? We'd be lying if we said yes. You're on the correct track if your character design can be rapidly read, is clear and recognised, and in some manner charming – perhaps include a minor quirk or fault! – Characters who aren't perfect are often more interesting. Even a simple character design can go a long way when given a few attributes.

However, as important as the proper design is, animation may make or destroy a character. When a character is adequately animated, his or her individuality shines through — the figure must clearly express ideas and feelings in order to captivate the viewer. If a character 'just walks around,' if the poses and emotional states can't be read properly, and the timing is off, you're not going to get the best results. Good animation, on the other hand, can bring even the most mundane ideas to life and make us grin, giggle, or blush... whichever reaction you want.

The use of animated characters for communicating is not a new practise. Kellogg's employed animated characters in its advertising for the first time more than 50 years ago. Prior to this, the brand's advertising had failed to attract people's attention, and despite high sales, W.K. Kellogg attempted to distinguish himself from his competitors' monotonous attempts. Beginning with Tony the Tiger in 1950, marketing agency Leo Burnett began designing characters for Kellogg's, and they added characters for each of their cereal varieties over the years. By 1970, their market share had climbed to 45 percent.

Finally, some ideas on the animated character

Communication is vital whether your audience is your staff or your customers. Why not integrate a mascot or animated figure into your marketing or e-learning campaign? If we've aroused your interest in how you might communicate more meaningfully with your audience, please visit our website right now.