Purpose:

This guide is intended to expand upon the

multimedia portion of the Technical Communications Guide in order to define expectations and assist first year engineering students with theAdvanced Energy Vehicle video.

Additional Help:

For additional help with technical communications and video creation:

  • Visit the Technical Communications Guide at:

Table of Contents

AEV Video Guide

I. Introduction

A. Video Overview

B. The AEV Video

C. Evaluation and Worth of Assignment

II. Content of the Video

A. Introduction

B. Setup

C. Design Development

D. Final Design and Testing

E. Closing

III. Assignment Part I – Due Lab 7

A. Introduction

B. Previous AEV Video Evaluations

C. Storyboard

IV. Assignment Part II – Due Lab 12C

A. Introduction

B. Content

C. Capturing the Video

D. Editing Programs

E. Suggestions (to avoid common errors)

F. Software

V. AEV Video Grading Guidelines

I. Introduction

A. VideoOverview

“Technical Communication” is a broad category that includes numerous ways of sharing information about specialized subjects. Multimedia communication, which may include posters, videos, or presentation slides, is a type of technical communication that can be effectively utilized to communicate a clear message. In particular, video presentationsare becoming an increasingly common mode of communication in engineering and students have lately been producing video presentations:

  • for courses in their program of study,
  • for use during their internship and job searches,
  • as part of the process to gain admission to graduate schools and
  • to earn scholarships and awards.

B. The AEV Video

The purpose of the AEV Video is to professionallydescribe the AEV project from the project background, to vehicle development, and through final testing. An individual that has no familiarity with the AEV project should be able to watch an AEV video and have a general understanding of the project and the process that created the final design.

This guide will introduce you to the video making process and define expectations of the AEV Video (including sample documents and videos, tutorial help, and the grading guidelines.)

C. Evaluation and Worth of Assignment

As an individual or in your AEV Team, you may choose to create an AEV Video. The AEV Video will be worth a maximum of 2% extra credit applied to each participating individual’s final grade. The assignment will be graded according to the AEV Video Grading Guidelines. To earn this extra credit, you must meet the following deadlines:

  • Part I(previous video evaluations, storyboard): due Lab 7 (Design Analysis Tool)
  • Part II (completed AEV Video in .mp4 format): due Lab 12C

II. Content of the Video

A. Introduction

An AEV Video should tell the story of your advanced energy vehicle to an audience that is unfamiliar with the project. While it is not explicitly required that you use title these sections as listed below, in general, that story will contain four major sections:

  • Setup
  • Design Development
  • Final Design and Testing
  • Closing

B. Setup

The setup is an introduction portion of the video and should:

  • Professionally grab the attention of the viewer
  • Introduce each team member, optionally declaringeach member’s role
  • Provide a background to the project

C. Design Development

The design development segment continues the story and should:

  • Discuss brainstorming and initial concepts, showing initial drawings
  • Mention obstacles and how they were addressed
  • Explain the design’s development, mentioning test results and other reasoning behind design decisions

D. Final Design and Testing

The final design and testing segment is the culmination of the video and should:

  • Illustrate and explain the final design, utilizinga SolidWorks exploded view animation (click here for an Exploded View Tutorial, a Basic Animation Tutorial, and an Advanced Animation Tutorial if you need assistance doing so)
  • Show the AEV operating on the track

E. Closing

The closing segmentis the conclusion of the video and should:

  • Briefly reflect on what was learned from the project
  • Conclude
  • Run credits including names of those that assisted you in the project (likely your instructor and TAs)

III. Assignment Part I – Due Lab 7

A. Introduction

Part I includes previous AEV Video evaluations and a storyboard. It is due at the beginning of class on Lab 7 (Design Analysis Tool) and is worth ¼ of the potential extra credit. For any AEV Video extra credit to be earned, this portion must be completed by the deadline. That is, you may not earn extra credit for Part II without completing Part I.

B. Previous AEV Video Evaluations

To get an idea of videos from the past, watch each of the following example videos. As you watch them:

  • Notefive strengths and five weaknesses. Note at least one strength and one weakness from each segment of the video (setup, design development, final design and testing, and closing)
  • Grade the video based on the grading guidelines (last page of this document)

AEV Video, Example 1 (SP13)

AEV Video, Example 2 (SP13)

AEV Video, Example 3 (SP13)

AEV Video, Example 4 (SP13)

AEV Video, Example 5 (SP13)

You will submit the strengths and weaknesses as well as the completed grading guidelines for each video. Here is an example:

Table 1: Example Strengths and Weaknesses of AEV Video, Example 1 (SP13)

AEV Video, Example 1 (SP13)
Strengths / Weaknesses
1. Introduction: The team uses great pictures and animations to explain the background and goals of the project.
2. Design Development: The brainstorming section zoomed into the orthographic pictures, making them clearly visible.
3. Final Design and Testing: The Solidworks animation displaying the final design is quick but descriptive and shows the final design well.
4. Closing: The team quickly and clearly discusses their few technical errors including the battery draining and rotating wings.
5. The video was free of mistakes, showing that the team filmed sections multiple times to get it correct. / 1. Introduction: All team members should keep eye contact with the video camera or look at the team member that is speaking. One student looks around and that is a bit distracting.
2. Design Development: The team did not explain the testing or test results that led to the development of their design.
3. Final Design and Testing:The video only showed the AEV on the track for a few seconds. It would have been nice to show it for a little longer.
4. Closing: The camera was not centered on the team for a part of this section.
5. A better background could have been chosen for the credits. It would be better if the team chose something more appropriate to the AEV than a plane crashing.

Figure 1: Example Grading Guidelines of AEV Video, Example 1 (SP13)

C. Storyboard

A storyboard allows you to define an order of visual and audio components and is an effective tool in outlining the plan for your video. Considering the strengths and weaknesses of other videos and remembering the required content of the project, create aworking storyboard for your video. The example below is a storyboard for the first few seconds of AEV Video, Example 1 (SP13):

Figure 2: A Storyboard example for AEV Video, Example 1 (SP13). Note that this storyboard only covers the first 20 seconds of this video. Your team will create one for your whole video with as much detail as is possible by week 8.

IV. Assignment Part II – Due Lab 12C

A. Introduction

Part II will include the 3-5 minute final AEV Video in .mp4 format. It should be submitted to the Carmen dropbox by the beginning of class on Lab 12 C and is worth ¾ of the potential extra credit. For any AEV Video extra credit to be earned, Part I must have been completed by the deadline. That is, you may not earn extra credit for Part II without having completed Part I.

B.Content

An AEV Video should tell the story of your advanced energy vehicle to an audience that is unfamiliar with the project. See Section II, “Content of the Video” for more information.

C.Capturing the Video

You may use any video/audio capturing device that you wish (camera, camcorder, cell phone) as long as it produces a visible picture and audible sound.

D. Editing Programs

You may use any editing software to create your video. Some options include:

  • Camtasia (available on computers in Hitchcock 324)
  • iMovie (likely on any team member’s Mac, iPad, or iPhone)
  • Windows Movie Maker (likely on any team member’s PC)

E. Suggestions (to avoid common errors)

  • Consider the location of your filming. Find well-lit areas and backgrounds that are professional, neat, and do not distract the viewers.When indoors, avoid large windows. When outdoors, it is best to film early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
  • Be aware of the noise level of the surrounding area when filming. Avoid areas with loud doors, vents, and traffic.
  • Keep it professional! This video should be something you are proud to show to a potential employer.
  • Well-made videos are not created in one take. Film multiple takes from multiple angles to create a mistake-free video and have flexibility during editing.
  • Zooming can be done post-production and allows for more flexibility and success then.
  • Text overlays and captions are an effective way to introduce video segments or emphasize important points.
  • Remember your audience! This video should be able to be shown to any average person to give that person a good understanding ofyour project.
  • When communicating verbally, speak at an appropriate volume, pace yourself and use pauses, use voice inflections, convey an appropriate tone (relaxed, but serious), and avoid using filler words such as “uhh,” “like,” “so,” “well,” “y’know,”
  • When communicating nonverbally, stand with a confident and relaxed posture, move around some and be animated, use natural gestures, use positive and genuine facial expressions, make appropriate eye contact with the camera or with the team member that is speaking.
  • A tripod is a useful tool for panning and creating a steady shot. If you don’t have a tripod, find another way to gain a steady shot (stand the camera on something else.)

F. Software

Whichever software you choose, make sure you learn to use it effectively. Find tutorials online or go through the ones provided by the manufacture.

Camtasia

Camtasia Studio 8 is available on computers in Hitchcock 324 (you have swipe access to this computer lab 24/7.) Video tutorials for Camtasia can be found here. For Camtasia, a general overview is that:

Figure 3: Images and videos can be placed on the timeline as a “track.” / Figure 5: The voice narration option can be found in the “More” section of the Camtasia ribbion and a “Record from Screen” is abailable in the top left.
Figure 4: Separate audio recordings must be placed in a track under the image or video. / Figure 6: Once the “Record From Screen” button is pressed, the area within the green dashed line will be recorded with voice narration.

iMovie and Movie Maker

iMovie is likely available on any team member’s Mac (computer, iPhone, or iPad) while Windows Movie Maker is likely available on any team member’s PC. Similar to Camtasia, iMovie and Windows Movie Maker allow you to add images and videos and align them with audio segments. “Voiceover” features allow you to narrate images. Text can be added to separate sections and make transitions clear. If you choose to use these programs, the best way to learn their features is through the tutorials within the program or online.

V. AEV Video Grading Guidelines

Content / Point Value / Points Earned
Part I – Due Lab 7 / 50
AEV Video, Example 1 (SP13) / 8
5 Strengths, each one should be typed in a complete sentence, with a thoughtful description of the strength. At least one strength should be written about each of the four major segments: setup, design development, final design and testing, and closing / 3
5 Weaknesses, each one should be typed in a complete sentence, with a thoughtful description of the weakness. At least one weakness should be written about each of the four major segments: setup, design development, final design and testing, and closing / 3
AEV Video Part II Grading Guidelines completed for this video. For this portion, digital or hard copies are acceptable / 2
AEV Video, Example 2 (SP13) / 8
5 Strengths, expectations written above still apply / 3
5 Weaknesses, expectations written above still apply / 3
Graded on grading guidelines, expectations written above still apply / 2
AEV Video, Example 3 (SP13) / 8
5 Strengths, expectations written above still apply / 3
5 Weaknesses, expectations written above still apply / 3
Graded on grading guidelines, expectations written above still apply / 2
AEV Video, Example 4 (SP13) / 8
5 Strengths, expectations written above still apply / 3
5 Weaknesses, expectations written above still apply / 3
Graded on grading guidelines, expectations written above still apply / 2
AEV Video, Example 5 (SP13) / 8
5 Strengths, expectations written above still apply / 3
5 Weaknesses, expectations written above still apply / 3
Graded on grading guidelines, expectations written above still apply / 2
Storyboard / 10
Visual component is well thought out and includes details regarding the visuals that will be included in the setup, design development, final design and testing, and closing. The location of the filming is clear and reading the storyboard provides a good idea of how the video will look. / 5
The audio component is well thought out and includes a script for the setup, design development, final design and testing, and closing. It is clear when other audio components (such as music) will be used and the storyboard provides a good idea of how the video will sound. / 5

AEV Video GuidePage 1

Content / Point Value / Points Earned
Part II – Due Lab12C / 150
Setup / 10
Each team member is introduced, optionally introducing each team member’s role / 3
A background is provided regarding the project and project goals / 7
Design Development / 25
Brainstorming and initial concepts are discussed, initial drawings are shown and are clear / 10
The design development is discussed, test results and other reasons behind design decisions are mentioned / 15
Final Design and Testing / 25
The final design is explained and illustrated utilizing a SolidWorks exploded view animation / 15
The final test is discussed and the AEV is shown operating on the track / 10
Closing / 15
What was learned was briefly reflected upon, potentially mentioning obstacles that led to these lessons / 10
Credits are run to thank those that helped in this process / 5
Overall Quality / 50
The video was free of obvious mistakes (“umms”, stutters, awkwardly long pauses) and other editing flaws / 25
The video was professional and appropriate / 25
Logistics / 25
The video was submitted in .mp4 format / 10
The video was 3-5 minutes in length / 15

AEV Video GuidePage 1