The history of our planet is as fascinating as it is extensive. It covers the story of every establishment on earth, makes up the very foundation of modern society and even shapes each of us into the people that we are today. It literally encompasses everything that has ever happened across the globe. Literally. Think Ancient Egyptian rituals, the fall of the Roman Empire, the aftermath of World War II or the invention of the internet. Within all of these major events, there are the niche snippets of history that are unknown to most but just as intriguing.

For example, did you know that the University of Oxford is actually older than the Atzec Empire? Mind blowing stuff.

But these rich historical stories are so often reduced to no more than a dull timeline in a shoddy textbook that would bore even the most enthusiastic history buff half to death. So how can you recreate the emotional value and intricate narrative of our planet’s history in a captivating manner? The answer is – you guessed it – through the world of animation.

Excuse the cliché, but animation has the ability to bring history to life. If you are looking for an alternative way to use video as a means of delving into the past, animated history videos are a fantastic vehicle for helping others visualise what is otherwise impossible to portray. As for where you might use them, here are a few ideas.

Wellers Animation

History of a Brand

These days it takes more than glitzy imagery and sharp sales jargon to effectively advertise your company. More and more modern brands are looking to add an element of storytelling to their overall marketing strategy. By transforming conventional branding into a story format, companies add a layer of emotional connection and transparency to their brand, which in turn helps people create lasting connections between it and the audience.

In fact, studies have shown that individuals are 55% more likely to buy a product from a brand with a good story behind it. One of the best ways of creating such a brand story is by outlining the history of how you became the company that you are today through an animated timeline.

One such project that we created here at The Animation Guys outlined the history of the famous Business Design Centre in Angel, London. From its beginnings when it hosted cattle markets as the Royal Agricultural Hall to its modern-day function as an influential hub of business, the building’s story is an intriguing one. For this project we used snippets from various historical sources, creating seven separate clips of animated history and installed them alongside the escalator in the hall’s grand entrance. 

The animated clips help outline what has shaped the Business Design Centre into the institution that it is today. Greeting visitors as they enter the building, it is a cohesive and captivating means of providing historical context that would otherwise go unnoticed. That is what telling your brand’s history through animation can achieve.

When individuals talk about history, many likely associate it with drowsing off in stuffy classrooms as creaky old teachers mumble about a time long passed. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Many schools, colleges and universities are now implementing animated education into their curriculum. Whether it be to engage students, educate staff or wow stakeholders, it is a means of refreshing material that is repeated year on year.

One of the beautiful things about animation is that the only limit is your imagination. Therefore, more complicated or far-fetched ideas suddenly become extremely accessible. This is an invaluable asset when it comes to animated history videos and animated timelines.

Just think, you can switch dusty old textbooks for a video that perfectly encapsulates and visualises events, facts and dates in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Escapism from the ordinary helps students truly focus on the subject matter at hand. In terms of distribution, it is important that you choose the right channels on which to display your animated history content. But don’t worry, this is something that we can help you with.

For further advice on historical animated video planning, creation and optimisation for your brand, get in touch by filling out an enquiry form on our website, sending us an email at wecanhelp@theanimationguys.com or giving us a call on +44 (0) 207 2886 319.