What's Happening?
Faculty and students from UW-Stout Polytechnic have collaborated to produce an animated commercial for the Menomonie Market Food Co-op. The commercial features six animated fruits and vegetables gathered around a dinner table, inviting viewers to join
them. Alyssa Hills and Fullen, students involved in the project, utilized industry-standard 2D animation software like Toon Boom Harmony, along with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, and Procreate for detailed illustrations. The sound recording and video editing were handled using Adobe Audition and Adobe Premiere, while the music producer used Fruity Loops. According to Hills, animation offers unique advantages over other media, such as connecting with broad audiences and providing greater creative freedom to execute effects and tell stories that might not be possible in live-action. This project provided students with practical experience in animation skills, deadline management, team communication, and client desire translation.
Why It's Important?
This collaboration highlights the practical application of academic learning in a professional setting, offering UW-Stout Polytechnic students valuable real-world experience. By working with a client like the Menomonie Market Food Co-op, students gain portfolio-worthy projects and develop essential soft skills such as communication and problem-solving, which are highly sought after by employers in the animation industry. For local businesses, such partnerships provide access to creative talent and innovative marketing solutions that can enhance their brand presence and audience engagement. The use of animation, as demonstrated by this commercial, underscores its effectiveness in creating memorable and engaging content, potentially influencing how local businesses approach their advertising strategies and fostering a greater appreciation for human-made art in commercial endeavors.
What's Next?
The animated commercial is currently featured on the Menomonie Market’s Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages, indicating its immediate use in the co-op's digital marketing efforts. This exposure will likely serve as a significant portfolio piece for the students involved, potentially opening doors for future employment in the animation industry. For UW-Stout Polytechnic, the success of this project could encourage more collaborations between its faculty and students and local businesses, further integrating academic programs with industry needs. Other businesses in the region might be inspired to seek similar partnerships, recognizing the value of supporting local talent and leveraging animation for unique storytelling in their own marketing campaigns.
Beyond the Headlines
This project subtly underscores the growing importance of animation as a versatile and impactful medium beyond traditional entertainment. Its ability to personify inanimate objects, like fruits and vegetables, and create engaging narratives for commercial purposes demonstrates its potential to humanize brands and foster deeper connections with consumers. Ethically, such collaborations between educational institutions and local businesses promote community development by supporting local talent and providing practical learning opportunities. It also highlights a shift in marketing towards more creative and less conventional approaches, where storytelling and visual appeal take precedence. This could lead to a broader recognition of animation as a powerful tool for diverse industries, not just film and television, influencing future educational curricula and industry demands for animation professionals.
