Yaad Labs + Iagon: Animated Explainer Videos

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Jaymeon Jones

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

9

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Through the use of explanatory animations, we will summarize and highlight aspects of the Iagon network in a simplified manner to encourage and promote ease of understanding and adoption.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

The content produced will be made public through Iagon's and/or Yaad Labs' affiliated social media channels. The series will be free to watch and the community can share and/or use the media for non commercial purposes.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution is a collection of animated explainer videos that will cover and explain Iagon, what it is, how to use it and other aspects of its value proposition and competitive advantage. These explainers will use simple language, helpful anecdotes and clear infographics to convey and visualize the topics covered so that all levels of technical expertise are able to understand and digest the content.  

This sample video is a good example of the format and style these videos will try and achieve

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uhX0X3ZW2c

There is a lot of interest in Iagon and Cardano DePin and this interest is only expected to rise as Iagon is set to announce and pursue a high-profile pilot program. As a result, there is a large need to deliver palatable content to help the average web3 and web2 user to understand; what it is, how it works, why it is significant and valuable and how they can contribute and get involved. When this is accomplished with a high standard of quality in collaboration with the key stakeholders, this string of educational content can play a big part in driving the interest inside and outside of the Cardano ecosystem and could lead to much more efficient understanding and onboarding. 

With Yaad Labs talent in animation, Iagon’s domain expertise in decentralised cloud storage and the distribution support of Coinbound (our external marketing agency) we have all that's needed for the content to make an impact inside and outside of Cardano. This form of content is also content that can be repurposed by members of the Cardano community and shared with their networks to easily explain Iagon and demonstrate just some of the value the Cardano ecosystem has to offer.

Seeing as DePin is a relatively new narrative/concept, most Web 3, and especially web 2 natives are confused about what it really is – we believe educational initiatives are therefore very important, as it could open the "wells of curiosity" that may lead to increased participation. Animated explainers are a great fit to achieve this goal as they’ve been found to:

• Provide a differentiated means to showcase products
• Increase engagement and attention
• Simplify complex information
• Boost conversion rates
• Improve brand familiarity
• Improve search rankings
• Facilitate trust and social sharing
• Enhance the onboarding & the product learning experience

In closing, this unique approach will not only benefit Iagon but the ecosystem as a whole as it will provide the learning materials necessary to educate and convert web 2 users and to move DePin curious web 3 users further down the funnel towards usage and adoption.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uhX0X3ZW2c

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Broadly speaking, our solution will positively impact the cardano community in the following ways:

• It will educate viewers on Iagon
• It will serve as a first-point-of-contact for many web 2 inquiring users
• It will expose Cardano as a whole to cross-chain users
• It will simplify the barrier to entry for adopting Iagon and lead to a more streamlined user onboarding process, likely growing the daily active users of Cardano

We will measure the impact of the animated explainers by tracking:

• Reach
• Engagement
• Sentiment
• Adoption

Apart from the usual channels that Project Catalyst provides like the open milestone modules, public closeout report and impact surveys - outputs can be observed in our community channels on twitter/x and discord.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Our team has been animating for over a decade and our founders are revered as pioneers in the Caribbean Animation industry. We have also demonstrated that we're capable, as we've been animating for Cardano since we joined the community. Some of our work can be viewed here:

https://twitter.com/tipsy__turtles/status/1770579606464049161

We believe that the project is feasible not only because the team has a proven track record but because animated explainers are provably great at simplifying complex concepts in ways that are easier for the average person to understand.

Additionally, we will be working closely with select members of the Iagon team to establish the content and scope of each explainer video as to ensure the accuracy and quality of the content. 

Another thing to note as well is that apart from the first tranche, catalyst doesn't release funds unless specific milestones are met, which in addition to the fact that we've been funded before, should help to alleviate concerns over any mismanagement of ADA.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1:

Script Writing

Milestone outputs

A script for 10 animated explainers used to inform the rest of the pre production and production process.

Acceptance criteria

A script for 10, one-two minute long animated explainers used to inform the voice actor and the animators processes

Evidence of milestone completion

A script for 10, one-two minute long animated explainers used to inform the voice actor and the animators processes, shared via a google drive link with public permissions.

Milestone 2:

Voice Acting

Milestone outputs

Audio for 10 animated explainers made based on the script/script needs for the series.

Acceptance criteria

Audio for 10 animated explainers that give an idea of what the series will sound like.

Evidence of milestone completion

Audio for 10 animated explainers shared via a google drive link with public permissions.

Milestone 3:

Animating & Compositing

Milestone outputs

A full series of 10, one-two minute long animated explainers made based on the script.

Acceptance criteria

A full series of 10, one-two minute long animated explainers made based on the script that is complete and ready for distribution, shared via a google drive link with public permissions.

Evidence of milestone completion

A full 10, one-two minute long animated explainers made based on the script, with a few early releases with a demonstrable amount of traction.

A full series of 10, one-two minute long animated explainers made based on the script, released on Twitter/X with a practical amount of traction.

Final Milestone:

Project Completion/Project Closeout report

Milestone outputs

A close out report and video done as per Project Catalyst guidelines. The closeout report will include the links to the script, audio and animations.

Acceptance criteria

A close out report that includes the links to the script, audio, and completed animated explainers.

Evidence of milestone completion

A close out report that includes the links to the script, audio and completed animated explainers with proof that all 10 episodes were released.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Core Team

Jaymeon Jones - Producer - https://jm.linkedin.com/in/jaymeon-jones-8a55968b

Gashwayne Hudson - Head of Art - https://www.instagram.com/gashhuds/

Alwayne White - Head Animator -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZXOxdT27Bk

Extended Team

Sylvester Wheeler - Story Board Artist & Animator

Lisa Davis - Background Designer

Kevin Swaby - Voice Actor

Cory Mills - Animator & Compositor

Allistere Gilzeane - Animator

Dwayne Pottinger - Animator

Project Partners

Iagon - Script Writer / Project Management Partner - https://x.com/IagonOfficial

Coinbound - Marketing Partner - https://coinbound.io/case-studies/

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

NB

The rate used is 1 ADA = $0.342 (USD).

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The project represents value for money as there are no producer fees, no director fees, no studio/audio engineering fees and no budget for contingencies, which is about $12,000 USD in savings. Beyond that, all the rates are done just at or below market rates for Caribbean creatives with roughly 200% saved on animator expenses.

Though a little outdated, this link below can be used as a guide for industry rates: https://animationjamaica.com/rates