Client: SOFTWIND, Ltd., Scottsdale, AZ
Summary: Produce an updated logo, narrative documentary script, animation storyboards and visualization designs for an innovative renewable-energy technology engineering firm
Contents
(1) Background
(2) The work I was tasked to do
(3) The new SWL logo, and storyboard for a logo animation sequence
(4) The script I wrote for the SWL documentary
(5) Storyboard
(6) The finished pilot 3D animation
(7) Testimonial
(1) Background
SOFTWIND, Ltd. (SWL) was a renewable-energy technology engineering firm that developed a new type of water-pumping wind machine, that possesses unparalleled performance characteristics.
The key advantage of the SWL technology is that it operates in lower wind speeds, and pumps from deeper water tables, for longer periods of time, than any other wind machine in the world.
(2) The work I was tasked to do
As part of its preparation for a global marketing program, SWL wished to prepare a multi-purpose video and CD-ROM presentation, that would:
- Illustrate how its new SWL-7 works, and why it is vastly superior to every other water pumping system
- Serve as the basis from which training presentations could be developed, that would profile the assembly and installation of the SWL-7, in a format that third-world, low-literacy workers could understand & retain
- Explain how a down-hole pump lifts water from the bottom of a well (this was reportedly the first-ever 3D animation design depicting this complicated, “invisible” operation)
Specifically, SWL retained me to consult on and design:
- A new corporate logo and logo animation concept
- A narrative script for the documentary
- All animation storyboards
- Key graphic presentation materials
This work required that I receive a crash-course education from SWL engineers and PR people in:
- The long quest to bring fresh, clean drinking water to people in the most remote, poorest parts of the world, affordably and reliably
- Previous efforts to address this challenge, and why they failed or are too expensive or complicated to work “in the real world”
- Why SWL’s technology is the lowest-cost, most reliable, low-maintenance approach developed to date
(3) The new SWL logo, and storyboard for a logo animation sequence
As noted earlier, this logo I produced that was adapted from an earlier design, that was used when SWL was named “Wind Baron,” in an earlier incarnation:
Neither SWL nor Wind Baron ever produced a logo animation, so I was able to take a clean sheet of paper and dream. This was the result:
SOFTWIND Logo Animation by jonsutz
(4) The script I wrote for the SWL documentary
Aside from the challenge of explaining SWL’s revolutionary technology, the objective here was to take the complete newcomer into the world of global water challenges, previous efforts to affordably address them, and hint at other obstacles in this realm — namely, the lack of honest, reliable governments and nonprofits in the developing/Third World. It was obviously a difficult task to approach with diplomacy, empathy and yet, practical urgency.
As mentioned elsewhere on this page, SWL was deep into preparing for anticipated litigation, and this documentary was never produced. But as indicated in (7), SWL was delighted with this finished script, and wanted to produce it, but unfortunately, it never was.
SOFTWIND Promo Script Narra… by jonsutz
(5) The animation storyboard
The principals of SWL had been dreaming about this animation sequence for some time, but had not been able to work with an experienced storyboard designer to fully develop it. It was one of the highlights of my career to be able to work with such inspiring, motivated people to help bring this to life:
SOFTWIND Animated Presentat… by jonsutz
(6) The finished pilot 3D animation
As SWL was heading into a cash crunch due to impeding legal actions, we were only able to produce this initial animation:
(7) Testimonial
SWL’s legal troubles became overwhelming soon after I completed these work products. it is for this reason that when my testimonial was written, it was done so when it became clear they could not devote the funds they hoped for to creating such bold new media.
“The animation storyboards and key visualizations you designed were exactly what we needed. When we began working together, you suggested creating an all-in-one solution to our global communications needs that would allow us to explain our unique windmill technology, how it is assembled, and how and why it works, regardless of language and cultural barriers.
“Although other circumstances delayed the production of your animation designs, we can’t wait to see them ‘brought to life’ under your direction. Your skills in visualization and analysis are truly remarkable. I would gladly recommend you to any organization that needs to communicate its message in a dramatic, original, and distinctive fashion.”
– William Welch, Vice President – Development, SOFTWIND Ltd., Scottsdale, AZ