Smarter Video. Better Design. Stronger Internal Comms.

Video and design tips to cut through the noise and drive real employee engagement

If your internal comms aren’t getting through, it’s not because your message is wrong—it’s because your delivery needs an upgrade.

Today’s employees are overloaded with messages, and the usual email blasts and generic updates aren’t cutting it. To truly connect, you need to create content that’s seen and remembered.

That’s where short-form video and human-centered design come in. These aren’t buzzwords. They’re high-impact tactics in your toolbox that can turn routine updates into content your employees actually want to engage with.

In this guide, we’ll break down practical, proven ways to:

• Craft video that’s concise, emotional and worth watching
• Design for clarity, flow and mobile-first viewing
• Use motion and storytelling to make key messages stick
• Track what matters so your comms keep improving

Because when you design with people in mind—and deliver with intention—internal comms become culture-building tools.

1. Video that connects emotionally, not just informs

Video is a storytelling engine, and in the world of internal comms, storytelling is how you shift perspective, drive action and create alignment. It’s about emotional engagement.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of corporate jargon but the real magic of video lies in its ability to connect emotionally. Starting with an emotional hook instead of an agenda-driven intro helps to engage viewers right away. Whether it’s a personal story, a moment of vulnerability from leadership, or a quick anecdote from a frontline employee, leading with authenticity breaks down barriers and builds trust. It’s the difference between “Here’s what you need to know” and “Here’s why it matters to you.”

Lastly, accessibility matters. With 80% of people watching videos on mute, captions aren’t just helpful—they’re necessary [1]. By adding thoughtful captioning and visual cues, you ensure that your message lands, even if the volume is off.

Pro tip: When it comes to capturing attention, shorter is always smarter. Employees are more likely to engage with content that respects their time, which is why the sweet spot for most internal videos is between 60 and 90 seconds.

2. Design for focus and flow, not a template

Templates are a double-edged sword in internal communications.

On the plus side, they save time, ensure consistency and help busy teams produce content quickly. But lean on them too heavily, and you risk turning important messages into forgettable noise. When every announcement looks and feels the same, employees start tuning out—no matter how important the message.

That’s where thoughtful, human-centered design makes the difference.

Good design goes a step further than aesthetics and consistency—it guides attention and makes information easy to digest. Visual hierarchy is key: structure your content so that the most important messages stand out immediately. Use layout, typography and color intentionally to help employees navigate the content without effort.

Just as critical as clarity? Authenticity. Stock images and boilerplate layouts don’t resonate. People connect with what feels real. Showcasing real employees, telling honest stories and using custom visuals builds trust. And that makes internal messages feel more personal and worth reading.

And don’t underestimate the power of motion design. Subtle animations, well-placed transitions and thoughtful motion cues can emphasize key takeaways and draw the eye exactly where you want it. Done right, motion makes messages feel modern and dynamic instead of flashy for the sake of it.

Finally, design with mobile in mind. With so many employees accessing content from their phones, emails, intranet posts and videos need to be mobile-friendly from the start. If it’s hard to read or navigate on a phone, it’s already lost most of its impact.

3. Measuring impact

All this creative strategy is only valuable if it’s creating impact. That’s why measuring the right metrics is crucial. Too often, internal comms get stuck on vanity metrics like the number of clicks or email open rates. But what really matters is action and delivering value to the organization. Who’s watching the video all the way through? Are they rewatching it? Are they applying the information and shifting behaviors afterward?

Fundamental metrics to track include view-through rates, replays, and actions taken post-message (like clicking a link, signing up for a program, or completing a survey) [3]. By setting benchmarks based on actual employee behavior instead of traditional marketing KPIs, you get a clearer picture of what’s resonating and what isn’t.

Surveys and feedback loops are also powerful tools. Ask employees what worked, what didn’t and what they’d like to see more of. That two-way dialogue improves future communications and signals that their voices matter.

Want to take internal comms measurement to the next level? Explore how dashboards are the new way to deliver real-time insights and demonstrate the business value of internal comms.

4. Quick Wins to Try Right Now

The good news? You don’t need a total overhaul to start seeing results. Here are a few quick wins that can make a big impact right away:

• Transform memos into micro-videos: Convert lengthy emails into engaging, bite-sized video snippets to increase retention [4].
• Policy explainers with motion graphics: Use simple animations to break down complex policies, making them easier to understand.
• Employee spotlight series: Highlight team members to build community and recognition while humanizing your brand.
• Interactive Q&A sessions: Host live or recorded sessions where leadership addresses employee questions directly, building trust and transparency.

Small shifts. Big impact. Real results.

You don’t need a complete overhaul to improve internal communications—you just need smarter tools and a more intentional approach. By leveraging video that connects, design that guides and metrics that matter, you can transform how your teams receive, retain and respond to information.

When employees feel seen, supported and in the loop, they engage, contribute and stay. And that’s culture in motion.

Sources:

1. https://everyonesocial.com/blog/internal-communications-statistics
2. https://blog.haiilo.com/blog/10-shocking-internal-communications-stats
3. https://www.fratzkemedia.com/insights/top-internal-communications-statistics
4. https://www.oak.com/blog/internal-communications-statistics