Description Long

You lay out paper images or objects, move and rearrange them, and photograph each step frame by frame. You let your hand draw and film the process as it unfolds. This creates visually engaging and accessible videos.

Drawing and arranging techniques are commonly used in explainer and educational videos, where images are drawn live or paper figures are placed and moved to help visualise learning content. The approach became widely known through the video series "In Plain English" by Common Craft, which explains the functionality of various social media tools. The creators share their experience of producing and using such videos in a workshop-style report and offer practical advice for those wishing to try the method themselves.

The benefits of the arranging technique lie in its boundless creative potential and its ability to present complex topics in a vivid and playful way. Unlike video footage of people, which can sometimes distract, the content here remains literally in view. As this article describes, technical costs remain low, and no professional equipment is needed. Of course, the result may not match the polish of commercial productions – but such polish is often unnecessary in an educational context.

Illustration

Preparation

• Prepare the shoot in a controlled indoor setting, avoiding draughts and changes in lighting.
• Both content-related and practical preparations are needed (e.g. drawing symbols).
• Plan the scenes in advance using a simple sketch or storyboard.

Execution

1. Mark the areas just outside the camera’s field of view with masking tape.
2. Position the camera at the end of the table and record from above (bird’s-eye view).
3. Build the scene step by step, move the elements, and capture each frame individually.
4. Bear in mind that playing the footage at a faster speed will shorten its overall duration.

Hints from experience

• A live drawing can be filmed by first sketching the outlines lightly in pencil. Care should be taken to ensure that the pencil marks are not visible on camera.
• Paper elements should be moved step by step, and hand movements should be controlled deliberately to avoid visual distraction.
• Make sure the beginning and end of each scene are stylistically consistent.
• Use colours, coloured paper, and coloured shading to create strong visual messages.
• At first, use only a few key symbols to express the central ideas.

Tools list

• Arts and craft material

References

https://www.zfhe.at/index.php/zfhe/article/view/669/588