Whiteboard magic
Above is a remarkable 10-minute animated video about Drive. Over the past few weeks, several people who’ve watched it have asked me how I created such an elegant and compelling piece. Today I provide the answer: I had almost nothing to do with it.
In January, I did a book talk at the RSA in London. A few months later, the RSA carved out some sound bites from that talk, commissioned Cognitive Media to add some groovy whiteboard cartoons to accompany the words, and then posted the video on YouTube. That’s it.
I didn’t know it was in the works or even see the final project myself until a couple of weeks ago, after it had gone live. But now, to my amazement, it’s been viewed more than 1 million times. (That’s, er, slightly more views than my video travel tips.)
Thanks, RSA, for being so innovative. And thanks, Cognitive Media, for such amazing work and for scaring the crap out of the UPS whiteboard guy.
Jake on June 10, 2010
Just so you know, this video was on the front page of reddit the other day.
Jim Seybert on June 10, 2010
Thank you Dan – for the book and this latest thumb nail summary.
laanba on June 10, 2010
They have several videos in their set that are on fascinating topics made the same way. Drive is in good company. The amount of work it must have taken to do these videos is mind boggling. But of course that is probably because I can only draw stick figures and not even those very well.
Geoffrey Greer on June 10, 2010
This is the way I first discovered your work, Dan. The YouTube link came up on Twitter’s “Top Tweets” last week, and I loved the segment from your speech. I immediately grabbed a pen and pad and started scribbling down notes and classroom applications. The cartoonist made it that much more enjoyable to watch. It was a great plug for you. Thank you, Dan, RSA London, Cognitive Media, and that anonymous guy who re-tweeted!
Geoffrey Greer
http://www.geoffreygreer.com
P.S. Second the comment about scaring the crap out of the UPS whiteboard guy.
Imogen Bertin on June 11, 2010
Hi Dan
Superb! This guy was at the CELT conference yesterday but he needs a clear presenter like you to do his best work.
One quibble. My pastime is dressage. Incentivising horses is similar to the science you describe for humans, not like the received “money” wisdom. Yes you give them food and pats, but unless they are having a nice life they don’t do their best work with you (it’s a collaboration). If you “nag” them and overwork them they get stale…
Best wishes
Imogen Bertin
PS I did my first pecha-kucha yesterday – what brilliant fun!
Terry on June 11, 2010
Fantastic. Just finished the book and this is a terrific way to introduce others to the text. Keep up the good work Dan.
Veronica on June 11, 2010
Hi Dan!
your book is great, and all of your talks regarding it, just wonderful!
Particularly, this video, I liked a lot, and I did the spanish translation for one of my blog’s posts,
so, for all of your spanish-speaking raaders, I leave this video links with spanish subtitles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9z1OIHE6Zg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu58EtsgjDw
thank you!!!
Vero
Renita Kalhorn on June 11, 2010
One million views — that’s fantastic! The word is spreading…
Renita
p.s. You could always commission Cognitive Media to animate your travel tips.
Carol Ross on June 14, 2010
What I love about this video is how it came about. It’s an It’s an example of what you are talking about. No
one asked RSA to do this. Even though it’s a
savvy marketing step (how else can you get your
name in front of a million people?), it’s also
about just creating something really cool, with
mastery (how did they do that?), purpose (spreading the word) and of course, autonomy.
Even though I’m a big fan of your work, I had
not seen this video. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa Thorne on June 14, 2010
Love this video.
REALLY wish it could be posted somewhere other than YOUTUBE because that site is blocked from my school (and most others.), even when it is embedded in another page as it is above.
PLEASE could you post is somewhere else as well?
Dan Pink on June 14, 2010
@lisa — Is Vimeo blocked?
Garret on June 15, 2010
Yes, you hit the nail….
Gustaf on June 15, 2010
Just FANTASTIC!!!!
Heather White-Laird on June 16, 2010
Agree with all comments above. I posted it to my blog three weeks ago with the title A Video Every Manager Should Watch..and a lot of managers in my company saw it. Do you know Dan Ariely’s work? I’m just reading The Upside of Irrationality. Seems like you guys should meet.
David McDonald on June 18, 2010
Dan,
Heard about this video weeks ago, but only got around to watching it today, absolutely beautiful work, really made my day. The art direction and animation design is wonderful indeed, as are the revelations in your original speech. A terrific confluence of information & presentation. Thanks.
Still have ‘Brand New Mind’ awaiting me on the bookshelf too
Cheers.
David McDonald on June 18, 2010
…oops, that should, of course, be ‘A Whole New Mind’
Well the bookshelf is on the other side of my room & I’m wearing my reading glasses
Leonardo Nogueira on June 20, 2010
Dan,
I must admit… I am getting addicted to your books… Great Job! It is inspiring!
Candace on June 22, 2010
Very innovative! Thinkin OUTSIDE the box!
dan feely on June 23, 2010
Very poignant and insightful. Wonderfully presented. I must admit that, like many of my peers, we think about motivation in such traditional paradigms that this content really challenges what we think we know including those valuable gems like “the beatings will continue until morale improves….”
As we, in the workforce today, are neither our parents or grandparents. We ultimately are inspired by different triggers and motivated differently.
This book and video is spot on in my view.
Komal on July 7, 2010
Hi Dan
I agree with what you say, however , I have a question. Organization usually have 3% percent merit budget. How can this be allocated amongst the employees, taking in to consideration this philosophy.
Would apreciate your response. Thank you
Komal
Robert on August 1, 2010
I bought your book off the back of seeing this video. I’m very pleased I did – it is remarkably interesting, and I’m now questioning everything, everywhere!
Digital Mom on August 12, 2010
Great stuff Dan. Hoping this book is available in the apple book store.