Design a look - YouTube 10/5/15, 1:51 PM
Design a look
in the course: Production skills
The big picture You'll learn
What is a look?
Find out how you can develop a unique visual style that will
instantly capture your audience’s attention. How can you achieve a strong
look?
15 Minutes Basics Last visited 10/5/15
Can you use design with
limited resources?
Production Better content Consistency & scheduling
Promoting your videos Build your channel
Best practices
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Design a look - YouTube 10/5/15, 1:51 PM
Why do some videos instantly capture our attention and make us feel happy, excited, or even
scared? Often, it’s because the creators made strong design choices around background set-up,
colors, props, and costumes. Defining your visual style, or a unique look for your videos, can help
build your fanbase, create a strong brand, and set you apart from other channels.
A winning look
What is a “look” or visual style? It’s the overall appearance of your videos, exemplified by
backgrounds, props, and costumes; what colors you use; and any other details that fans will
recognize and remember. Style may also provide cues as to the type of video you’re producing. You
know the feeling you get when you instantly recognize your favorite channel? That’s because the
creator has established a look by making strong visual decisions that connect audiences to the
channel identity.
See it in action
Go into the lab with The Brain Michelle Phan’s look reflects
Scoop herself and her audience
The Brain Scoop’s set design, Michelle Phan created a specific
props, costumes, and even color choices look for her channel: she developed a colorful
help create an exciting window into the real background design indoors and uses soft,
life world of conservation scientists. (Video in feminine, and natural elements outdoors.
English) (Video in English)
Make an impression
Evaluate what types of videos you’re making and then consider choosing locations, backgrounds,
costumes and props to exemplify that decision. By developing your own look, you can start to help
your fans instantly engage with your videos and establish a unique and recognizable channel
identity. The process for developing a look involves brainstorming ideas based on the kind of videos
you want to make. So, for example, if you’re creating a comedy video, you may consider using
bright colors in your backgrounds and set dressing with bold colored props, whereas if you’re doing
something more dramatic, you may want to aim for a simple or even muted palette with a darker
colors and stronger contrast. It all comes back to making an impact with your visual choices to set
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Design a look - YouTube 10/5/15, 1:51 PM
yourself (and your videos) apart.
See it in action
The Vinyl Geek steps back into
the 1970s
Vinyl Rewind, a channel about
vinyl album history, succeeded at recreating a
set and production design straight out of the
1970s. Detailed elements like the host’s
costume and hair, the props and the living
room set convey a vintage look and feel.
(Video in English)
Help your look come to life
Bring your look to life in a doable way while helping viewers see who you are and what your
channel is all about. Visual design is about planning and then making decisions based on your
concept (and budget.) For example, you can scout out and pick cool locations, or start off by setting
up your own background. Remember, you don’t always have to fix up the whole room where you’re
shooting. Think creatively about your production elements -- instead of painting an entire wall red,
maybe you can use a red light for the same effect. Decorate just inside the frame and in its layers of
depth. And to complete your look, search for costumes or a wardrobe that complement your design
choices. And remember, the look is all about you and your vision so have fun with it!
Activities
Put your new knowledge to work in the activity below!
View questions
Share three videos you like that have a look that you’re going for. Describe some key elements of
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Design a look - YouTube 10/5/15, 1:51 PM
that look.
List the locations, colors, and costumes or wardrobe you want to use for your look.
Imagine you’re making a different kind of video for your channel. Write down the design elements
(backgrounds, props, costumes) that would distinguish the new video while remaining consistent
with your channel’s brand.
Check your knowledge
1) How can a strong visual style help you build a fan following?
Fans will recognize your videos.
Fans will get tired of your stuff.
Fans are hard to get.
Fans don’t remember much.
2) How can you create a look for your videos?
Pick fitting locations and colors.
Try lots of different things.
Use confetti.
Rent out a great space.
3) How can you create a different appearance for a different type of video while maintaining a
consistent channel look and budget?
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Design a look - YouTube 10/5/15, 1:51 PM
Make everything black and white.
Use every color of the rainbow.
Just fix everything in color correction.
Use consistent colors.
Follow up
Do your fans enjoy the production choices you've made?
Use the comments section to ask your audience if they like the direction that you’re going with for
your production design, or if they have suggestions for colors or materials that they think might work
better.
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