Live-action Communication Design: A Technical How-To Video Case Study. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eriksson, Per Erik; Eriksson, Yvonne
• Is Part Of: Technical communication quarterly. Volume 28:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 69
• Page End: 91
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Assessment -- design of communication -- digital technologies -- knowledge management -- research methods -- usability studies -- visual rhetoric/visualization techniques; Technical writing -- Periodicals; Technical writing -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 808.0666
• DOI: 10.1080/10572252.2018.1528388
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1057-2252

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This case study is based on a research through design project (RTD) that focuses on a technical communication video of the live-action format. It investigates the usability and design-implications of a live-action how-to video, by means of analyzing user-centered data such as YouTube analytics data, usability, and comprehension assessments. In the study, four key live-action video affordances are identified: verifiability, comparability, recordability, and visibility. The identification of these affordances when related to the users' assessments resulted in several design implementations that would warrant sought-for communication efficacies. Findings show that some assumed efficacies appear to be mitigated by the complexity and the density of the video information. One implication of this is that the implementation of conventional video editing techniques and the addition of on-screen text that serve to make content briefer and more concise into instructional live-action videos requires the technical communicator's careful consideration.