The client
The Children’s Center is a Detroit nonprofit that provides behavioral health services to children and families. In 2018, they came to me directly to animate two videos for Stop the Stigma, their campaign to change how people think and talk about youth mental health.
The challenge
The campaign’s illustrations already existed: hand-drawn, chalkboard-style artwork with a warm, personal feel. My job was to bring that artwork to life without losing what made it work. The animation had to feel like a natural extension of the drawings, and it had to handle a serious subject with care, clear enough to move an audience, gentle enough to respect the teens whose stories it tells.
The solution
I animated the two companion stories in After Effects and designed the sound effects for both. Brandon’s story uses a yearbook and a walk through his neighborhood to show how easily a struggling teen can go unnoticed, then lands the campaign’s key statistic. Mary’s story shows the other path: her parents notice something is wrong, reach out, and get her help. It ends with her back outside, playing with friends.
Working with existing artwork meant building motion around what was already on the page. I kept the movement simple and handmade to match the chalkboard style, so the finished videos feel like the illustrations moving on their own. Sound effects add life and emotion to each scene.
The result
The two videos became a cohesive, emotionally powerful pair for the campaign. They were shown at The Children’s Center’s events and featured on its website, helping start conversations about youth mental health in the community.
Have artwork that could come to life?
If you already have illustrations, a logo, or brand graphics, UpTime Web Services can turn them into animation that tells your story. I work with nonprofits and businesses in Greeley, Loveland, and Garden City. Request a quote and let’s talk.
