The Visual Lounge podcast

41:13

A while back, we sat down with Edie Clarke, Virtual Video Producer and Editor and YouTube Strategist, to talk about why simpler is often better when it comes to video creation. And guess what? That advice still holds up. So, we’re bringing this episode back for another listen. With AI changing the way we create and edit videos, there’s never been a better time to embrace video content. The latest TechSmith research shows that audiences are demanding more authentic, concise, and engaging content – so if you’ve been holding off on making videos, consider this your sign to start! Edie packs lots of advice into our discussion, including her top tips and go-to methods for scripting and shooting video, how to get over the fear of being on camera and how to avoid the perfectionism trap. We also get a glimpse into the kind of coaching she provides to clients who want to improve their video skills, along with some of the tools she uses daily with clients to create videos and run her business. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 02:58 Intro 02:59 - 05:10 How Edie started using video 05:10 - 08:38 What success looks like for Edie 08:38 - 12:22 Edie’s tip for improving how you use video 12:22 - 16:06 Tips for keeping video simple 16:06 - 16:38 Why audio is the most important part of creating videos 16:38 - 19:46 Edie’s advice on writing scripts 19:46 - 23:49 Common hangups people have when starting videos 23:49 - 27:44 How to deal with perfectionism 27:44 - 31:04 Hard lessons from a career of video creation 31:04 - 32:00 Borrowing ideas and inspiration from other videos 32:00 - 38:07 Speed round questions 38:07 - 39:46 Edie’s final take on why you should embrace video 39:46 - 41:13 Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Edie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virtuallyinsync/ Edie's Website: https://edieclarke.com/ Subscribe to Edie on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@VirtuallyInSync/…

The Visual Lounge

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Evolution of Video in Learning 27:25

πριν 8 μέρες27:25

27:25

The medium of video transformed drastically since it was first invented, but there’s one thing that hasn’t. Regardless of whether you’re creating entertaining or training content, storytelling is at the heart of video. The CEO of Cinécraft, Dan Keckan, heads up a learning solutions company that’s been around since 1939! As one of the first corporate training film companies, Cinécraft has evolved alongside the technology changes in video to become a training solution truly fitting in with the modern age of learning. We welcomed Dan on the show to share a little backstory of the company and what he thinks has changed most about video as a learning medium. Dan emphasizes the importance of story above all else and shares his view that video training has increasingly moved away from passive productions to more interactive, gamified, and scenario-based learning models. He also shares his take on where he sees video changing in the future and how generative AI is likely to impact learning design going forward. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 02:20 Introduction to Dan and Cinécraft 02:20 - 03:54 Dan’s number one tip for using images or video 03:54 - 06:30 The evolution of video and how Cinécraft has changed since 1939 06:30 - 08:24 How industry changes led Cinécraft to adapt their approach to storytelling 08:24 - 11:26 How Cinécraft thinks about learners differently today 11:26 - 13:56 Dan’s predictions for the future of learning design 13:56 - 18:29 How the role of video will continue to change 18:29 - 20:37 Dan’s favorite production in the Cinécraft archive 20:37 - 25:07 Speed round questions 25:07 - 26:18 Dan’s final take 26:18 - 27:25 Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dankeckan/ Visit the Cinécraft Website: http://www.cinecraft.com/ Subscribe to Cinécraft on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Cinecraft/…

The Visual Lounge

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Approach to Scenario Writing and Multimedia 28:30

πριν 22 μέρες28:30

28:30

Storytelling is the golden ticket to understanding how we communicate and absorb information. It’s already a big focus in the marketing world. But what about learning design and training content? Can we (and should we) use storytelling to get key messages across? Spoiler: yes! And this episode is all about how to do it. Christy Tucker is a learning experience design consultant who forges engaging learning experiences with the power of storytelling and multimedia content. She joins The Visual Lounge to take us through her tips for writing, using storytelling elements, and when to use multimedia to enhance your messaging. We explore why knowing your audience and context is the starting point of all successful content and how you can learn more about your audience’s challenges, scenarios, and goals (even when you don’t have direct access to the information). Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 01:40 Introduction to Christy 01:40 - 02:34 Christy’s top tip for using images or video 02:34 - 05:41 How do you get started in multimedia production? 05:41 - 09:13 How to know what makes good writing for multimedia scenarios 09:13 - 11:50 Advice for getting better at writing 11:50 - 15:30 How to balance realistic dialogue with concise messaging 15:30 - 20:40 How to nail your audience focus when you don’t have all the information 20:40 - 23:08 When to use multimedia content in certain training scenarios 23:08 - 26:30 Speed round question 26:30 - 27:04 How to connect with Christy 27:04 - 27:32 Christy’s final take 27:32 - 28:30 Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Christy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christytucker/ Follow Christy on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/christytucker.bsky.social Subscribe to Christy’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@christytucker Visit Christy’s blog: https://christytuckerlearning.com/…

The Visual Lounge

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AI Assisted Video Creation (Revisited) 49:02

πριν 29 μέρες49:02

49:02

Take your mind back to 2023. Generative AI was still relatively new on the scene, and we were all curious about how it would impact the world. Would it be a short-lived trend or would it signal a new age of tech? From content creation to data analysis, the potential of AI skyrocketed in just a few years and the technology and tools show no sign of slowing down. For this episode, we head back to 2023 to our episode with Josh Cavalier, L&D expert and long-time friend of The Visual Lounge. While we chat about the trends and predictions we had in 2023 (which feels like ancient history in this AI world), Josh’s message for our listeners is still just as relevant today. Josh shared his advice for anyone hesitant to use AI in video creation and how to overcome those common AI anxieties that leave content creators twitching. He has plenty of tips about crafting prompts, finding the right tools, and the best practices for getting the most out of gen AI. Plus, you’ll get to hear if our predictions on the future of AI were right or wrong. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 02:38 Introduction 02:38 - 03:27 Josh’s process for using video content 03:27 - 04:44 How to succeed in video content creation 04:44 - 06:17 Josh’s number one tip for creating videos 06:17 - 10:23 How AI helps Josh’s video processes 10:23 - 14:48 Getting the best results from AI 14:48 - 21:51 AI for scripting: the best practices and prompts 21:51 - 27:39 Where to start with AI 27:39 - 39:57 Combating AI anxiety 39:57 - 47:36 Josh’s speed round 47:36 - 48:05 Josh’s final take 48:05 - 49:02 Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcavalier/ Josh’s Website: https://www.joshcavalier.com/ Eleven Labs: https://beta.elevenlabs.io/ Future Tools: https://www.futuretools.io/ Subscribe to Josh on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/joshcavalier/…

The Visual Lounge

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A View from the C-Suite 32:02

πριν 5 weeks32:02

32:02

Rarely do we get the chance to hear the C-suite side of things when it comes to content and learning design. What do they really think about the training content they see out in the wild? But in this episode, we hear from business transformation expert and former Chief Learning Officer Christopher Lind on adapting your content creation process for the modern working world. Christopher introduces us to what a CLO really is and offers a peek into his main responsibilities. He explains how L&D teams can work with their CLO (or do well without one) and how a CLO defines great content. The AI topic naturally comes up and we look at how it can improve processes or even make things slower if your process isn’t already working. Christopher also shares his tips on using video tools, what makes great content, and how emotion should be at the heart of every piece of content. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 02:42 Introduction to Christopher 02:42 - 03:44 Christopher’s top tip for using images or video effectively 03:44 - 04:42 The emotional component of training content 04:42 - 07:03 What is a Chief Learning Officer really responsible for? 07:03 - 09:04 How to work with your CLO (and what to do if you don’t have one) 09:04 - 12:00 How leaders and L&D teams should approach AI and automation 12:00 - 15:02 How do we avoid being replaced in the AI age? 15:02 - 17:19 Why AI is like jet fuel to a process 17:19 - 19:41 Is AI a natural solution to the skills gap? 19:41 - 21:49 How AI is changing the nature of our professions and responsibilities 21:49 - 24:04 Advice from the C-suite: what makes content good? 24:04 - 27:40 Speed round questions 27:40 - 29:35 Why Christopher has been a long-time lover of TechSmith tools like Snagit 29:35 - 30:17 How to connect with Christopher 30:17 - 31:16 Christopher’s inspiring final take 31:16 - 32:02 Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Christopher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherlind/ Subscribe to Christopher on Substack: https://substack.com/@christopherlind Follow Christopher on X: https://x.com/ctlind?lang=en Visit Christopher’s Website: https://christopherlind.co/ Subscribe to Christopher’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Christopher_Lind…

The Visual Lounge

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Video, Screenshots, and AI - Insights from a Customer Education Manager 49:07

πριν 13 weeks49:07

49:07

Get to the point. That’s the way you entice audiences and ensure they stay. While front-loading instructional videos with the ‘why’ is tempting, it’s the ‘how’ that audiences have tuned in for. Attention spans are getting shorter and shorter, which is why you need to deliver value as soon as possible. This means a clear narrative, great video quality, and authenticity. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce meets with Doug Brunner, the Customer Education Manager at TechSmith. They discuss why video is the most effective way to deliver content, their biggest pet peeves when it comes to instructional videos, and some of the best features of Camtasia and Snagit. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 00:43 Introduction 05:06 - 06:25 Maximizing impact and saying “no” 10:01 - 13:34 The pros and cons of webinars and videos 14:03 - 17:12 The importance of first deciding on goals to hit with instructional content 17:31 – 21:46 Biggest instructional video pet peeve 21:58 – 23:24 How long you are given to grab someone’s attention 25:15 - 30:48 Three go-to features in Camtasia 31:09 - 32:01 Why the cursor is not the ‘hero’ of the story - the viewer is 32:18 - 37:10 Three go-to tools inside Snagit 37:30 – 42:28 Opinions on human AI avatars and AI-generated voices 42:32 – 43:34 Why content and the purpose should set the length of a video 43:34 - 45:15 Defining “bad video” and “bad audio” 46:36 - 47:55 Using the rounding corners function in Snagit or Camtasia 48:06 – 49:05 Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Doug on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-brunner-b193abb/ Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrpierce/ Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/ Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/snagit/…

The Visual Lounge

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Do You Know What Your Audience Thinks of Your Training Videos? 15:29

πριν 14 weeks15:29

15:29

Training videos have a reputation for being dry and boring, but it doesn’t have to be this way! By communicating value and involving your audience, training videos can be an engaging part of your development strategy, as well as, dare we say, something to look forward to? In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce discusses widespread beliefs about training videos and debunks some myths. He highlights ways that training videos can be both useful and fun, and offers some suggestions about how to tackle common problems with their creation and delivery. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 – 00:19 Introduction 02:08 – 03:16 The pros and cons of using AI avatars in training videos 04:14 – 04:20 Gamifying training videos – turning them into a puzzle or a mystery 04:21 – 04:42 Communicating a training video’s value to the audience 05:42 – 06:47 Inclusivity in training videos is important – be intentional and thoughtful, especially with storytelling 07:01 – 08:15 The importance of talking speed in a training video – not too slow, not too fast 08:18 – 08:54 Training video content isn’t boring, but the delivery can be 11:21 – 12:03 Creating interactive training videos 13:04 – 14:21 Why understanding your audience is the key to creating great training videos 14:28 – 15:27 Outro…

The Visual Lounge

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Simplify: Video Design and Production 19:53

πριν 19 weeks19:53

19:53

Are you overcomplicating your videos? Great editing software comes packed with features that can transform simple videos into an all-singing, all-dancing production. But just because those features are there doesn’t mean you have to use them… Sometimes less is more. Matt Pierce dives into the art of simplicity in video production in this week’s episode of The Visual Lounge. He discusses the fine line between simple and simplistic, and how you can rethink each step of the video creation process. But don’t worry. Simplicity doesn't mean boring! Matt shares insights on how to create elegant, impactful videos without overwhelming your audience. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 00:43 Introduction 00:43 - 03:23 What we can learn from Notion’s videos 03:23 - 06:31 How to focus on the right things 06:31 - 09:21 How to decide what should and shouldn’t be in your videos 09:31 - 10:48 The trick to making your wording simpler 10:48 - 13:20 How to make your videos simpler in the editing room 13:20 - 14:29 Why simple doesn’t mean boring 14:29 - 16:02 How a simple approach to videos helps you make patterns for future videos 16:02 - 17:28 What we can learn from other videos 17:28 - 19:17 Ask yourself this important question 19:17 - 19:52 Outro Important links and mentions: Notion’s Video: https://youtu.be/vH3Rp3wky-U?si=khf1-ZX5zF0zwUVc…

The Visual Lounge

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Revisited: Designing for How People Learn 53:50

πριν 20 weeks53:50

53:50

The success of any instructional piece of content is in how well the information is retained, memorized and actioned. After all, we want the lessons we teach to have an impact. So, if you want to level up your instructional design skills, you need to know how people actually learn first and foremost. In this episode, we revisit a fascinating discussion with Julie Dirksen, Learning Strategy Consultant at Usable Learning and author of two brilliant books, Design for How People Learn and Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change. Julie joined us back in episode 138 to talk about how instructional designers can tap into the psychology behind learning to make more effective content. She talks about the importance of getting to know your audience and receiving feedback to make sure you’re on the right path. We hear how she first got into instructional design, how she defines success, and her top tips for instructional designers to continue honing their craft. Julie also shares more about her book and recommends some great resources that inspired her. Since coming on the show, she’s released her new book, so be sure to check out all the links below. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 03:06 Introduction 03:06 - 05:51 How Julie got started in instructional design 05:51 - 09:59 Defining success in learning design 09:59 - 17:20 One tip for image and video in learning design 17:20 - 18:28 Ad break – check out the Video Viewer Trends report 18:28 - 21:21 Julie explains her book 21:21 - 25:24 What trips people up in learning design? 25:24 - 32:00 Simple vs cursive fonts and keeping learning design clear 32:00 - 35:40 What learning design pros need to improve on 35:40 - 39:48 The resistance to practice design 39:48 - 46:17 Are different learning styles a myth? 46:17 - 50:51 Where Julie turns to for self-development 50:51 - 52:12 Where to learn more about Julie’s work 52:12 - 53:08 Julie’s final take 53:08 - 53:39 Outro Important links and mentions: TechSmith Academy: https://academy.techsmith.com/ Book by Clark Quinn: https://www.amazon.com/Millennials-Goldfish-Other-Training-Misconceptions/dp/1947308378 Connect with Julie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedirksen/ Usable Learning: https://usablelearning.com/ Design for How People Learn: https://www.amazon.com/Design-People-Learn-Voices-Matter/dp/0134211286 Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change: https://www.amazon.com/Talk-Elephant-Design-Learning-Behavior-ebook/dp/B0C7ZFRRFH 2024 Video Viewer Trends Report: https://www.techsmith.com/2024-video-viewer-trends-report.html…

The Visual Lounge

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Updates, Opportunities, & Practice 6:21

πριν 21 weeks6:21

6:21

Matt Pierce dishes out exciting updates for Camtasia 2024 in this mini episode. Enhanced functionality around dynamic captioning plus new color labels for the timeline are two features that will help to make your editing experience a lot smoother – something we can all get behind! He also teases an upcoming video mastery workshop at DevLearn in Las Vegas, a great opportunity for those looking to level up their video skills. Matt tops off this short episode with an important reminder about the power of practice. Great tools and workshops can help you improve your video creation skills, but consistent practice is essential. There's no shortcut to success, even in the age of AI, and the effort we put into honing our craft is what makes it all worthwhile. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 01:30 Announcing the new minor version of Camtasia 2024 01:30 - 02:28 TechSmith’s video mastery workshop at DevLearn 02:28 - 05:46 The value of consistent practice and why there’s no quick path to success 05:46 - 06:20 Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrpierce/ Check out Camtasia 2024: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/ DevLearn: https://devlearn.com/…

The Visual Lounge

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The Training Stories We Tell 33:29

πριν 22 weeks33:29

33:29

Have you ever needed a great story to help with your training? This episode focuses on the power of storytelling with Rance Greene, the Founder of School of Story Design and Needastory.com. Host Matt Pierce and Rance explore the essential elements of compelling stories, including conflict and relatable characters, and how they can be used to drive behavior change in training. Rance shares practical tips on using visuals effectively and provides insights into creating engaging characters and scenarios, even for technical topics like system rollouts. Whether you're an instructional designer, L&D leader, or an entrepreneur, Rance's tips in this episode will help you become a better storyteller and improve your training outcomes. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 02:18 Introduction 02:18 - 06:07 The power of visuals in storytelling 06:07 - 08:22 Common mistakes in storytelling 08:22 - 13:17 Creating relatable characters and strong conflict 13:17 - 18:02 Using stories in systems training 18:02 - 24:59 Visuals in eLearning 24:59 - 27:55 Naming characters in your story 27:55 - 31:32 Speed round questions 31:32 - 33:29 Conclusion and final thoughts Important links and mentions: Connect with Rance on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rancegreene/ School of Story Design: https://www.schoolofstorydesign.com/ Subscribe to Rance's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@rancegreene…

The Visual Lounge

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Trainers' Video Questions Answered 30:16

πριν 23 weeks30:16

30:16

You asked, and we’re here to answer! Host of The Visual Lounge Matt Pierce has collected some of the most burning questions video trainers have about the art and science of making great videos. Ever wondered how to coach a camera-shy subject-matter expert to shine on screen? Matt's got you covered with tips that'll turn even the most reluctant expert into a video pro. And for those battling with stubborn colleagues who think they know better than the "rules of video," fear not! Matt shares diplomatic strategies to work with differing opinions without rocking the boat. We also address whether to update or remake outdated videos, why talking heads seem to dominate videos, and how to think about video analytics like engagement and viewer retention. Matt also gives his take on whether you really need to drop thousands on a new camera to make a great video. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 01:56 Introduction 01:56 - 06:00 How to make subject-matter experts feel comfortable on camera 06:00 - 08:35 How to work with differing opinions on how to make a great video 08:35 - 12:03 Should you update or remake older videos? 12:03 - 14:47 Why are talking head videos so popular? 14:47 - 16:59 How to think about data analytics 16:59 - 20:15 First 5 seconds are critical for engagement 20:15 - 25:14 How to make videos engaging 25:14 - 27:05 What equipment is really needed to make a good video? 27:05 - 30:04 How can you get colleagues to understand the power of pre-planning? 30:04 - 30:16 Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrpierce/ Video Viewer Study: https://www.techsmith.com/2024-video-viewer-trends-report.html TechSmith Academy Course with Info About Metrics and Data: https://academy.techsmith.com/path/basics-of-screen-recording/screen-recording-basics-publishing-and-analytics…

The Visual Lounge

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2024 Video Viewer Trends Report 37:19

πριν 24 weeks37:19

37:19

Who is your audience and what do they need? Whenever we create content, this should be top of mind. Whether we’re creating something fun and entertaining or educational and skill-based, our audience’s response and experience are the ultimate measure of success. But what do people want to see in videos? The good news is you don’t have to guess! We look at what the average video viewer prefers in our Video Viewer Trends Report each year to get an up-to-date picture of how people are responding to video content in the here and now. This year, we surveyed over 1,000 people and asked all the key questions any video creator wants to know, including how long videos should be, what the most important elements of a video are, where they watch, why they watch (and stop watching) and even what they think about AI tools used to create content. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, host Matt Pierce breaks down some of the top findings to help you create content that people respond to. Download the full report in the link below for free, or tune in for an overview of video viewer trends. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 02:20 Intro to the new Video Viewer Trends Report 02:20 - 03:42 Why video is a preferred medium for consuming content 03:42 - 04:52 What types of videos are people watching? 04:52 - 05:45 Where and how often are people watching videos? 05:45 - 09:20 The top reasons people watch videos 09:20 - 11:02 Why video creators need to know this data 11:02 - 15:10 How long should a video be? 15:10 - 19:09 Why people want short vs. long instructional videos 19:09 - 22:44 The most important video elements that keep people watching 22:44 - 25:59 Which elements of videos are most important to viewers? 25:59 - 28:25 The most common reasons people stop watching videos (the good and the bad) 28:25 - 30:24 What viewers think about AI in video creation 30:24 - 34:29 Why TechSmith makes this report and what else you can learn if you download it 34:29 - 36:41 Outro Important links and mentions: Download the 2024 Video Viewer Trends Report: https://www.techsmith.com/2024-video-viewer-trends-report.html Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrpierce/…

The Visual Lounge

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Elevating Your On-Camera Ability 31:17

πριν 25 weeks31:17

31:17

Let’s face it, talking to a camera is not something that comes naturally to anyone. And it can be daunting to look at that lens and come up with something coherent, energetic, and valuable to say once you hit record. But just like many things in the world of video, it’s a skill you can learn and this episode breaks down how to improve your on-camera presence. Joining the podcast is Meredith Marsh, an awesome video creator who helps people get better on camera and grow their audiences through her online courses and YouTube channel. She breaks down her top tips for looking, feeling, and speaking better on camera—whether you’re a YouTuber or creating corporate videos at work. We hear about her approach to editing and the BFF framework she uses to turn rough footage into high-value content that her audience loves. Learning points from the episode include: 00:00 - 01:42 Introduction 01:42 - 03:03 Meredith’s top tip for improving how you use video 03:03 - 05:19 Why people struggle on camera 05:19 - 09:55 Where to start if you want to appear on camera 09:55 - 14:59 Meredith’s framework for making the editing process easier 14:59 - 17:10 Advice for those who are not confident on camera 17:10 - 25:13 How to manage your energy when filming videos 25:13 - 29:00 Speed round questions 29:00 - 30:00 Where to learn more and connect with Meredith 30:00 - 30:32 Meredith’s final take 30:32 - 31:16 Outro Important links and mentions: Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithpaynemarsh/ Meredith’s Websites: http://meredithmarsh.co/ and http://vidpromom.com/ Follow Meredith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meredithmarsh.co Subscribe to Meredith's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@meredithmarsh…

The Visual Lounge

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Video Design Strategies: Simplicity, Iteration, & Inspiration 23:12

πριν 26 weeks23:12