Overview
Man on Football Manager is a YouTube channel dedicated to exploring the intricacies of the popular video game Football Manager. This case study outlines the creative process behind building the channel, from designing a unique illustrated avatar to producing engaging, experimental video content.
Objective
The goal was to create a distinctive YouTube channel that caters to Football Manager enthusiasts while maintaining a layer of personal privacy by avoiding on-camera appearances. The content focuses on creative experiments, such as altering player data and simulating long-term scenarios, offering viewers fresh and entertaining perspectives on the game.
Process:
Conceptualisation
The first step was to define the identity and purpose of the channel.
- Theme: The channel centers on Football Manager, blending gameplay insights with creative experiments.
- Tone: Friendly, informative, and slightly humorous to appeal to a wide audience of football and gaming enthusiasts.
- Unique Selling Point: Offering simulations and "what-if" scenarios that spark curiosity and discussion within the community.
Character Creation
Instead of appearing on camera, an illustrated avatar was designed to represent the channel’s persona.
- Design Tool: Affinity Designer was used to create the character’s design.
- Character Style: The avatar resembles a stylized, cartoonish version of the creator, featuring expressive facial features and a casual, relatable appearance.
- Iteration: Several drafts were created to refine the look, ensuring it aligned with the channel’s tone and branding.
Character Animation
The avatar was brought to life using Adobe Character Animator.
- Rigging: The character was rigged to follow the creator’s movements in real-time, allowing for natural gestures and expressions.
- Lip Syncing: The software’s advanced lip-syncing feature was used to match the character’s mouth movements to the creator’s speech.
- Testing: Multiple test recordings were conducted to fine-tune the character’s responsiveness and ensure smooth animation.
Content Production
With the avatar ready, attention turned to creating engaging video content.
- Video Concepts: Initial ideas included altering player data (e.g., boosting stats or changing ages) and simulating 10-year future scenarios to explore the game’s mechanics.
- Recording Gameplay: Screen recording software captured gameplay footage, while commentary was recorded alongside the animated avatar.
- Editing: Adobe Premiere Pro was used to edit videos, combining gameplay footage, avatar animations, and on-screen graphics.
- Experimentation: Early videos served as experiments to gauge viewer interest and refine the production workflow.
Channel Branding
A cohesive visual identity was established to make the channel recognisable.
- Logo and Banner: Designed in Affinity Designer, featuring the animated avatar and a football-themed background.
- Thumbnails: Bold, colourful thumbnails with clear text were created to attract clicks and improve visibility.
- Intro and Outro: Short, animated sequences were added to provide a professional touch and reinforce the channel’s branding.
Outcome
The Man on Football Manager channel successfully launched with a unique, animated persona and a growing library of engaging videos. Early viewer feedback highlighted the avatar’s appeal and the originality of the content, positioning the channel as a fresh voice in the Football Manager community.
Key Takeaways
- Innovative Representation: Using an animated avatar allows for personal privacy while maintaining a strong on-screen presence.
- Experimentation Drives Engagement: Creative, experimental content resonates well with niche audiences.
- Consistency Matters: Cohesive branding and regular uploads help establish a reliable channel identity.
Man on Football Manager demonstrates how creativity, technology, and a passion for gaming can combine to produce an engaging and distinctive YouTube channel.
