Free training series
Azure Fundamentals: an animated series for beginners
Three short, animated lessons on Azure Virtual Machines, Virtual Networks and Blob Storage, following one simple example from start to finish.
Azure Virtual Machines
Explain what an Azure virtual machine is and identify its main parts: the operating system image, the size, the network interface and the disks. Tell the VM apart from the application that runs on it.
Azure Virtual Networks
Explain what an Azure virtual network is, describe how its address space is divided into subnets, follow traffic from the internet to a VM, and describe how network security groups allow or deny traffic.
Azure Blob Storage
Explain what Azure Blob Storage is used for, describe the storage account → container → blob hierarchy, follow a file being uploaded and retrieved, and explain why access needs both network connectivity and authorization.
The example
One small web app, three Azure services
A photo-upload web app runs on an Azure VM. The VM connects through a virtual network, and the app stores uploaded files in Blob Storage.
Illustrative architecture. Names and values are samples, not recommendations.
How it works
Built for beginners, and for accessibility
Animated diagrams
Each idea appears step by step on one consistent diagram, with clear labels and no clutter.
Captions and script
Captions match the narration word for word, and every lesson includes the full script and storyboard.
Optional narration
Turn on narration to hear each scene read aloud by your browser's built-in voice.
Static view
Prefer less motion? The static view shows the complete diagram, and reduced-motion settings are respected.
Knowledge checks
Two short questions at the end of every lesson, with answers and explanations.
Checked against Microsoft Learn
Technical claims were reviewed against official documentation, and sample values are clearly marked.
Production kit
Turning the lessons into video
The lessons are built to be turned into video. Everything an animator or video-generation tool needs is on each lesson page: the script, the timestamped storyboard and captions.
Format
- Three separate lessons, 16:9 at 1920×1080 (1080p), about 3–4 minutes each.
- Captions supplied as WebVTT files, timed for narration at about 145 words per minute. Re-time them to the final recorded voiceover.
Visual style
- Clean 2D motion graphics on a light background (
#F8FAFC), with subtle depth from soft shadows only. - Text in dark navy (
#0B1324), Azure-style blue accents (#1D5BD8), amber (#D97706) for highlights. Allowed and denied traffic always use a ✓ or ✕ plus words, never color alone. - Labels at least 22 px at 1080p; headlines 40 px. Keep every label editable text, not baked into images.
- In production, swap the simple labeled symbols for Microsoft's official Azure architecture icons, following Microsoft's terms of use for those icons. Don't copy any company's branding or artwork.
Motion
- Reveal one idea at a time; dim everything that isn't being discussed.
- Use calm fades and short slides (about 0.6–0.8 s). Show traffic as a dashed path with a dot or file icon moving along it.
- Provide a reduced-motion version that cuts between the static states shown in the storyboard.
Voiceover
- Friendly, plain-language delivery at a steady pace, pausing briefly between scenes.
- Read the script as written. Wording was checked for accuracy, so confirm any changes against Microsoft Learn.
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