Next Day Animations

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Department Manager of Watkins Wellness

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Watkins Wellness is the leader in hot tubs and aquatic fitness systems. Our portfolio of brands includes Hot Spring® Spas, Caldera® Spas, Freeflow® Spas, Fantasy® Spas, and Endless Pools® Fitness Systems, sold predominantly through a specialty dealer network of more than 1,000 dealer partners located in 70+ countries.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Next Day Animations to accomplish?

Educate our employees on the Project Management Office at Watkins Wellness

SOLUTION

How did you find Next Day Animations?

Email marketing

Why did you select Next Day Animations over others?

High ratings

How many teammates from Next Day Animations were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Next Day Animations brought our video idea from concept to reality. They managed everything from scriptwriting to design to final delivery.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Our employees respond well to explainer videos as opposed to memos or other written communications. In a short, visually entertaining video, we were able to educate our employees on a resource that was little-known to them, resulting in greater use of the service.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The Next Day Animations team is so friendly, and they do a great job, quickly! They were very easy to work with, great communicators, and flexible. It is a true team of professionals.

What was your primary form of communication with Next Day Animations?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

To a person, friendly, professional, and extremely competent.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Next Day Animations could have done differently?

The price is a little steep but the quality of the final product and ease of working with the team is unparalleled.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Public Health Associate 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Support and advocate for the health of Native Americans living in urban areas

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Next Day Animations to accomplish?

• The purpose of this product was to create an animated infection prevention and control (IPC) video that was culturally relevant and relatable to Urban Indian Organization (UIO) settings and provided fundamental information about IPC

SOLUTION

How did you find Next Day Animations?

Past Client

Why did you select Next Day Animations over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Next Day Animations were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

This project focused on creating a video that discussed key IPC information from CDC’s Project Firstline (PFL) while also reflecting scenarios that are pertinent to Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). There are several scenarios shown in the video including a nurse caring for a child at a powwow, how germs spread through touching surfaces, and a reminder on cleaning your hands in order to protect others.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The completion of the video in alignment with feedback from the team and our funder.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Items were delivered on time and they were very understanding of the extended timelines that our team needed.

What was your primary form of communication with Next Day Animations?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their ability to be flexible and understanding about all of the different factors that needed ton be considered for our project.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Next Day Animations could have done differently?

No, they were great!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Executive Director at Wolf Park. Wolf Park is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to behavioral research, education and conservation, with the objective of improving the public’s understanding of wolves and the value they provide to our environment.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Next Day Animations, and what were your goals?

We are entering our 51st year of operations. During our 50th year, our marketing and promotions have focused on our history. This year we wanted to kick off marketing and promotions that are future-focused and emphasize our place in the world for the next generation of wildlife advocates. We hired NextDay to animate our logo to include a wolf puppy growing into the adult wolf featured in our company logo.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We learned about NextDay from United Way of Central Indiana. The initial meetings demonstrated that they understood our vision. I liked the aesthetic of the samples they provided, and the price was right.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

We had a meeting to review the concept where I shared our vision and our company style guide and existing logo. After that, we spent a few weeks reviewing the design until completion.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

Wade supplied us with a reviewable proof. We were able to review it, provide feedback, and get an updated proof back within days. By the third version we had the product we wanted. All in all, the process was simple and efficient while still allowing for interested parties to have input and feel involved in the process.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We have shown the animated logo to our board of directors and volunteer team and everyone loves the finished project.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

We had two video calls, but mostly work was done over email. Everything was completed expeditiously. I am sure I held up the process more than anyone due to my unwieldy e-mail inbox.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I was impressed by how well the first draft represented what we discussed in the meetings. All of the follow up versions only had very minor changes until we got to the finished product. It really demonstrated how well the team listened to what we wanted and asked the right questions to understand our vision.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

I don't think so. As a a small nonprofit, cost is always an issue for us and our budget is the only thing that keeps me from having NextDay take on some additional projects for us at this time.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a genetic counselor at a hospital and am involved with research and projects related to increasing access to genetic information and genetic testing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Next Day Animations, and what were your goals?

We worked with Next Day Animations to develop key informational videos on topics related to genetic counseling and genetic testing. Our goal was to enhance the content that we are able to provide patients related to this.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Next Day Animations was selected prior to my involvement with the project.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

Next Day Animations closely communicated with us throughout this project from the discovery meeting through multiple rounds of video edits. We created 5 approximately 30 second animated videos as well as 4 images and 4 GIFs. Next Day Animations provided their expertise to help us distil complex education topics into discrete informational videos.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

We worked with a project manager who partnered with us throughout the process. In addition to the project manager, additional key team members were brought in for different aspects of the project (storyboarding, creation of GIFs/Images for social media, etc.). The team worked effectively together and with us. Next Day Animations sought our feedback and ideas throughout the process and ensured that our needs were met.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

This project is newly completed. We are currently working with our team and organization to make end products available in a multitude of ways including: company website, patient education materials, social media, and scientific presentation. The range of platforms and populations that these videos apply to speaks to the quality and universality of the products created.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Next Day Animations is excellent at managing projects. They set clear timelines yet remained flexible to meet our needs. They provided regular check-ins via email and meetings. They collected feedback on each round of the videos, images, and GIFs using frame.io which our team found to be very effective.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They truly went above and beyond to understand the content they were working on. They quickly became well-versed in genetic counseling topics related to this work.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

It would have been great to meet in person if geography allowed but they were completely effective over virtual platforms.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm an author, independent inventor, patent owner, and entrepreneur.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Next Day Animations, and what were your goals?

I’ve collaborated with Next Day Animations on a variety of projects. Together, we’ve created whiteboard explainer videos for two of my inventions.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

I loved their work and their commitment to small businesses and entrepreneurs. They are dedicated to helping my inventions succeed.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

They wrote the script and custom-illustrated the video, matching images to my invention. A professional voiceover artist helped bring the script to life, and we refined the video through three rounds of review.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

I worked with a Producer, who was my point-person throughout the project. The Scriptwriter and the Marketing Director assisted, as did illustrators, designers, and voiceover artists.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We made great videos together that reached their intended audience, and we’re continuing to partner on more projects.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

The project management was effective as the workflow between my team and theirs was excellent. They were fast, friendly, and conscientious.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their inventiveness and collaborative spirit continue to impress me. I list them as a recommended innovation partner in my book for inventors and innovators (Open Innovation Template: Going from Concept to Instant Application). Their product is fantastic.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Nothing comes to mind. I’m currently working with them in launching another invention.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

The Arc of San Diego is a not-for-profit organization committed to supporting and empowering children and adults with disabilities to achieve their goals and reach their maximum potential. I serve the organization as Vice President, Human Resources & CHRO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Next Day Animations, and what were your goals?

We needed videos and imagery to support our recruiting efforts. Our goal was to provide realistic job previews, showcasing the diversity of our staff and clients, and without compromising our clients' privacy, while demonstrating The Arc of San Diego is the place to grow your career serving your community.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We chose Next Day Animations due to the whiteboard video approach. Animated drawings are ideal for showing personal hygiene situations without compromising privacy; displaying diversity of people and disabilities; and were cost-effective.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and marking tools used.

First, we went through a discovery phase sharing our branding, goals, and existing imagery and language. Next, the writer prepared scripts and descriptions for the audio and visuals. Upon final agreement, the images were drawn and voice-over artists chosen.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We worked directly with a producer and a writer. They, in turn, worked with a team of artists for the images, as well as supplied a set of diverse voices for us to choose from.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

We now have 4 videos that truly represent our workforce, our client population, and accurately demonstrate the work, while clearly calling on potential applicants to take the next step and apply.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The Next Day Animations team is very skilled, kind, and customer-focused. They are excellent listeners, superb writers, and amazing artists. They set clear expectations, managed the process, and delivered on time.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their ability to truly deliver, not just a set of products, but to do so in the spirit of our mission and vision. This was one of the most pleasurable, cost-effective, and sustainable projects and investments I have been a part of.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Rather then have anything to improve, I am thinking about collaborating on more videos :)

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Our company, JustLight, sells a red light therapy device that helps with the reduction of chronic pain. I am the director of digital operations, and I wear many hats seeing as our team is still very small.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Next Day Animations?

The super new technology that we’re offering isn’t very intuitive. Though it can help reduce chronic pain, it cannot heal it or fix other conditions such as addiction. We needed to communicate that idea through simple animated videos, so we partnered with Next Day.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Next Day produced four animated videos for us. These videos lasted anywhere between 30–60 seconds and tackled various topics surrounding our product. One video showed the history of red light therapy, while another illustrated the best way to use our product.

We started the project with a consultation call where we discussed our ideas and concept with the Next Day team. We also provided them with minimal resources, which they wrote a script and storyboard for within a day or two. They asked for our feedback, edited the scripts and storyboards accordingly for several rounds until we were satisfied, and went on to create the animations. 

They then brought in their voiceover actor, to whom we also provided feedback. We tweaked some of the wordings and the tone and ultimately arrived at a final product that we were happy with. I helped with the video editing and scriptwriting, so it was a collaborative effort. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with around four people from Next Day.

How did you come to work with Next Day Animations?

I’m not aware of how they were found and selected for the project. I was simply brought in to help with the pre-production. 

How much have you invested with them?

We invested around $10,000–$25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with them in July 2021, and it was a three-month contract.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Some of the videos were uploaded to our YouTube channel, but we haven’t started using them as our marketing material yet. Everybody who saw the videos were very impressed though, and we’re excited to partner with Next Day again for similar future projects.

How did Next Day Animations perform from a project management standpoint?

We were very happy with the collaborative process that they had. Their team had really strong communication skills, and their turnaround time was very quick. They had the ability to translate any concept into a video. They were just a pleasure to work with, overall, and our experience was very positive.

We usually communicated over email, but we participated in video calls to get the initial concepts and requirements down. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

What really stood out about our partnership was the positive energy that Next Day brought. It was just really nice to work with them. They're very nice, responsive, and caring people.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The very first revision for the script took a bit of time, but that was because we had spent a lot more time thinking about our company than they had. We couldn’t expect them to envision it the same way we did, but several edits down the line, they got it eventually.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Communications Manager at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. I manage marketing and communications projects at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as they relate to cancer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Next Day Animations, and what were your goals?

We have a particular focus on pushing cancer screenings with younger adults, including colonoscopies, which have an unpleasant stigma. We wanted an educational whiteboard animation video that explained signs and symptoms to look for, and to show a younger, healthy-looking woman thinking about getting one, going through the process of talking to her doctor, the prep, the procedure, and the ease and importance of it ("That wasn't so bad after all! And I already have my results!"). We want to reduce the stigma of the procedure, and remind people that the recommended age has been lowered to 45, so you don't have to be a 70-year-old man to worry about colon cancer.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

I looked for quality of animation, accessibility of staff, and cost. Our other animation vendors have required multiple project commitments, and I needed someone who would do a one-off project. My initial meeting to learn about the process showed me how professional they were and how easy they would make this for us.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

We started with the discovery meeting for them to understand what characters we wanted to see and what story we wanted to get across. The doctors in the group laid out all the talking points (signs and symptoms, steps of the procedure, etc.) in bullet points for the production team. Then as the project lead, I met with the producers to lay out characters and voiceover choice. Then they delivered the first draft, we made edits, then I think we had a couple last tweaks to make, then they delivered final product.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

We worked with a Lead Producer, Christine, who was wonderful at every stage. She managed expectations from both sides, kept me posted what would be needed next, and kept us on a manageable timeline with edit/feedback deadlines.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Our video has gotten great feedback on our website on social media. We continue to show it on screens within the cancer center, and have even embedded it in cancer screening email campaigns we have sent out. We don't have any metrics on that, but all good verbal feedback from those that see it!

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Christine was easy to communicate with and provided frequent updates. They always told us ahead of time if something needed to be changed so we could discuss it. We communicated over email, but it was also convenient to put our video edits directly into Frame.io for the animators.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They really took the time to understand the colonoscopy process from the doctors, and wanted to understand the biggest reasons why people don't get this screening done when they should. Then they used that to make a compelling piece!

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Not that I can think of! We will definitely use Next Day Animations again.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the Justice Systems Analyst for a small nonprofit that supports youth defenders across the country.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Next Day Animations, and what were your goals?

We were working with a school superintendents association to create materials for school professionals, to help them understand the long-lasting negative effects of referring children to juvenile court. We were able to create plenty of good resources for them, but wanted a way to quickly explain the issue and get them interested in learning more.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Fortuitously, Next Day Animations happened to send a marketing email to our ED right around the time we were trying to figure out how to get superintendents interested in our work. To be honest, I was a bit skeptical about working with a company we didn't really know much about, but Next Day was so upfront and easy to work with right off the bat. The way they walk clients through the process to quickly produce a very high-quality product was incredibly appealing.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

First, we had an introductory meeting with a few members of the team, led by the scriptwriter. They asked us lots of questions about the work we do generally, this specific project, the language we use when we talk about our work, etc. From that, they drafted script language, accompanied by descriptions of the images that would appear. We were able to edit/request changes to both the language and the scene descriptions.

(They had done a remarkable job getting a handle on our work and our language, and we had very few edits to make.) After script approval, we met with the animation team to discuss details about images; that was followed by selecting a voice artist. The first draft of our whiteboard animation followed, with an opportunity to edit. (I don't believe we made any edits.) Then we got our final copy of the animation, along with suggestions for distribution.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

We had a project manager who guided us through the process, and we worked with point people for the script and the animation. The feedback process was crystal clear, about what feedback needed to be provided when, and they provided timeframes that kept the project on track.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We've received excellent feedback from both defenders and school professionals about the video. Our social media posts with the video received significantly more engagement than our usual posts.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Everything with Next Day Animations was crystal clear. They explained the entire process upfront, they explained each step of the process as we moved along. At each stage, they would let us know when we would hear from them next, and they were never late (and were usually early). When they needed feedback from us, they proposed a timeline and made sure it worked for us and adjusted when needed.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We were very impressed with how quickly they understood our work, our language, and our priorities. They were able to succinctly and powerfully explain complex issues in a compelling way.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

I honestly cannot think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the director of assessment at a higher education/health professions nonprofit.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Next Day Animations, and what were your goals?

We have worked with Next Day Animations several times over the last five years to create explainer videos to assist users of our products in using them properly. The specific project identified started as a four-video whiteboard and 2D animation series explaining proctoring best practices, and has since evolved to include five linked videos as our operations in this space has evolved.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We were looking for a mission-aligned marketing firm that had a unique design style, creativity, and strong project management.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

We started with a discovery meeting to talk about our goals for the project - the first four videos. We had specific needs for what we said, so we drafted the first scripts and added ideas for visuals. Next Day worked with us on an iterative review, cutting what we wrote and adding engaging visuals. They were very flexible in working with our internal review process following the final draft before beginning the animation.

We went back to them twice to add new videos, relying on them for more of the scripting work as we got more comfortable with their knowledge of our work, tweaking for the highly technical language required to prevent misinterpretation.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

We've worked with a variety of teammates over the years. Sage, Laura, and Wade have been our primary contacts.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Our members have loved the videos and learned a lot by them. They have integrated them into their internal training processes. We have also received excellent feedback from security auditors who see all sorts of proctor training resources.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Their timelines are aggressive, which is great for keeping things on track. They are also quite flexible to account for internal and volunteer-focused reviews that may create delays in the timeline. Their project management and communication styles are highly collaborative and collegial, and they deliver on time.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They created an endearing, enduring brand for our work that users love. They do an excellent job of balancing professional and engaging tones. And they care about their clients.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

It would be great to adjust timelines early on, especially if we don't have a hard delivery deadline. They were flexible at every stage of the project, making them easy to work with.