Education & Infographics
Mental Fitness - Black Dog Institute
Producible
Project Overview:
Commissioned by the Black Dog Institute, this three-part animated series was designed as the centrepiece of a school-based mental health workshop. The aim: to equip students with the language and confidence to support friends struggling with mental health.
Rather than present polished hypotheticals, we leaned into the awkwardness and emotional nuance of real conversations—where reaching out can feel uncertain, but even small acts of empathy can ripple into lasting change.
Animation Approach:
We developed a unique hybrid aesthetic: 2D vector animation (rigged in After Effects using Duik) layered over digitally hand-painted, textured environments crafted in Procreate. This fusion of digital precision and painterly expressiveness created a warm, grounded world with emotionally subtle character performance.
Craft & Storytelling Highlights:
Character-led storytelling: Emotion is conveyed not only through dialogue, but through micro-expressions and body language—nuanced performances made possible by custom rigs and detailed pose-to-pose transitions.
Layered sound design: Audio was engineered to enhance psychological realism—shifts in reverb, ambient tone, and silence reflect the characters’ internal states.
Design language: Colour palettes shift subtly across episodes to reflect the emotional arc—from isolation to connection.
Impact:
Teachers have described the series as “transformative” in workshops, helping students recognise that supporting someone’s mental health doesn’t require perfect words—just courage, compassion, and showing up.
CREW
Writer/Producer: David Flanagan
Producers: Kristian Mather
Director/Animation: Oliver York
Animation & Illustration: Giamo Timbol, Erika Florin, Daisy Zhang, Adele Kral
Additional Animation: Aaron Stannard
Creative Team: Gracie Hamilton (Xan), Adelaide Tustian (Jay)
Software
Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, After Effects + Duik, Premiere Pro, Audition