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This week’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge is Using Pictograms to Design Custom E-Learning Characters.

A pictogram, also called a pictograph or simply a picto or an icon, is a graphic symbol that conveys its meaning through its pictorial resemblance to a physical object. 

We are surrounded by pictograms and one of their most common uses is in safety instructions and warning signs.

I began to wonder whether it would be possible to bring a safety pictogram to life by animating it using Storyline’s Jump-to-Time trigger, and immediately got to work in my go-to ‘graphic design’ tool – PowerPoint!

Ever since the Jump-to-Time trigger was first released way back in 2020, I have used this feature to create simple animations and repeating GIF-style effects.  The beauty of this method is that, unlike GIFs, Jump-to-Time animations can be precisely controlled and triggered or paused based on your learner’s actions or responses.

I first used this method in my popular SPINNING PLATES demo and more recently to animate a cocktail making robot in RUSTY’S NITRO BOOST.

Although its an easy technique to implement in Storyline,  a basic knowledge of animation definitely comes in handy.

Check out my recent 'Bouncing Ball' animation demo

Creating a ‘run cycle’ is a little more complicated than a bouncing ball.  However, once you have built a pictogram in PowerPoint, it’s easy to rearrange the parts into different poses and experiment until you get it right.

The option to export your compositions as SVG files is a hidden superpower of PowerPoint.  Scalable Vector Graphics remain sharp and clear when animated in Storyline and don’t lose resolution or become slow to load like GIFs can.

The fastest trigger you can currently use in Storyline is 0.10 seconds, so the highest frame rate you will achieve when you animate an object with the Jump-to-Time trigger is just 10fps. 

This is far below the 24fps of traditional cell animation, yet the results can still be effective.

Here is my 'run cycle' - added to the states of original pictogram
Above are the settings and triggers that power the Jump-to-Time animation without interfering with the quiz slide
Above are the settings and triggers that power the Jump-to-Time animation without interfering with the quiz slide

A runaway success?

Importantly, this animation is used to reinforce the content, with a 100% score leading to a safe and unimpeded exit from the quiz.  The high contrast visuals leverage the learner’s familiarity with safety signage and demonstrate the expected behaviour.  While by no means a rigorous final assessment, this could be a good method checking understanding during a longer fire safety course.

Play Fire Exit below and let me know what you think in the comments.

 

A runaway success?

Importantly, this animation is used to reinforce the content, with a 100% score leading to a safe and unimpeded exit from the quiz.  The high contrast visuals leverage the learner’s familiarity with safety signage and demonstrate the expected behaviour.  While by no means a rigorous final assessment, this could be a good method checking understanding during a longer fire safety course.

Play Fire Exit here and let me know what you think in the comments.

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