8th December 2004

Protean Marketing offers new animation design capability

Client demand for new media service leads to appointment of full-time animator

Protean Marketing Communications is now able to offer a cutting-edge digital animation design service to clients, with the appointment of new media animator Jia Guo to its creative design team.

Jia comes to the Berkshire-based consultancy with wide ranging experience in new media, web and graphic design, illustration, interactive multimedia communication, motion graphics and visual effects, and video animation.

"The use of animation as a marketing tool has really taken off, so we decided it was time to get our own expert on board," says Andy Mitchell, Protean's senior designer. "Animation breathes life into marketing messages. Many websites now incorporate it, to create the 'wow' effect. This can be as simple as a rotating company logo, or as complex as turning an entire page into an interactive presentation."

It is also possible to incorporate animation into promotional emails or electronic newsletters, to give them greater impact. In addition, exhibitors at trade shows can liven up their stands and attract visitors using attention-grabbing visual sequences combining animation with digital video and music.

"If a powerful and effective animation catches a potential customer's eye, or makes them feel part of an interactive experience, they're more likely to respond positively," continues Andy Mitchell. "And when it's done well, animation can help an organisation make a positive first impression, and project a sophisticated image."

Protean's creative design team develops and customises each animation to the client's specific requirements. Hi-tech design skills are combined with good old-fashioned marketing knowhow to decide what will work best, based on a thorough understanding of the client, their message, corporate identity and target audience.  

Animation is the process of taking a series of individual pictures (frames) and stringing them together in a sequence to give the appearance of continuous motion and special effects. For example, the animator can design a ball, and then tell it to bounce, and how they want it to bounce. They can also make the ball 'clickable' to lead the visitor through to further information, or add music, dialogue and sound effects.

"The possibilities for great marketing-focused animation are huge," according to Andy Mitchell. "High-speed, high-bandwidth web connections are becoming the norm, and before long it will be commonplace to run movies and interactive digital video over the web. For example, a customer looking to buy a new car will be able to click a button on the dealer's website and watch, on-demand, a fully 3D movie of the car in action, explore the interior and even listen to the engine. It's very exciting."

To see some of the animations Jia Guo has already created for Protean's clients, contact Andy Mitchell at andy@protean.co.uk,
or on 01628 648530.

 

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Protean Marketing Communications Ltd is a comprehensive, business-to-business communications agency based in Berkshire, UK. Founded in 1991, the company has in-depth marketing and account-handling expertise, combined with a passion for communications and a wealth of creative energy. Using marketing, advertising, PR, direct mail, electronic media and design, Protean aims to convey the core business message of their clients to target audiences effectively.

Contact for further information: Greg Robinson
Protean Marketing Communications Ltd
Communications House
Station Road
Cookham Rise
Berkshire SL6 9BU
Tel: +44 (0)1628 648530
Fax: +44 (0)1628 529087
Email: greg.robinson@protean.co.uk
Web: www.proteanmarketing.com