Mental Health Awareness

Bringing Empathy to the Screen

Mental health is one of the most important conversations of our time, and Lancaster University’s Spectrum Centre has long been at the heart of it. Their work focuses on supporting people living with bipolar disorder — empowering them through research, education, and compassionate care. When they asked us to help communicate their message, we knew it needed to be something that didn’t just inform, but connect.

Finding the Right Metaphor

From the start, we wanted to express the emotional depth of living with bipolar disorder without relying on clinical language or heavy-handed symbolism. The solution came in the form of an unlikely hero — a penguin. Through the life of this small, determined creature, we could explore the emotional highs and lows, the challenges, and the moments of hope that define the human experience.

The penguin became a visual metaphor for resilience. We followed it through shifting environments — calm seas, harsh winds, sudden storms — each one reflecting the internal experiences that people face in their mental health journeys. It’s gentle, relatable, and powerful without ever needing to spell things out directly.

A Hand-drawn World Full of Heart

To capture that feeling of vulnerability and warmth, we chose a hand-drawn animation style. Every line was created with intention — soft, fluid, and organic. The imperfections of pencil and paper gave the penguin life, adding authenticity to its movements and emotions. The colour palette shifted with the mood: cool tones during moments of struggle, warmer hues as the penguin found balance and connection again.

Each frame was carefully considered to reflect the ebb and flow of emotion. Subtle visual transitions helped guide the viewer through the story, using light, texture, and motion to show how change, though difficult, is always possible.

Sound and Voice: A Gentle Touch

We paired the visuals with a calm, empathetic voiceover — steady and reassuring, much like the message itself. The soundscape blended natural elements like wind and waves with gentle piano notes, mirroring the penguin’s environment and inner world. The goal was to create an experience that felt both soothing and emotionally resonant — something that could comfort as much as it informed.

Metaphor in Motion

Through the penguin’s journey, the animation shows that mental health recovery isn’t a straight path — it’s about learning to navigate the changing tides and finding balance amidst uncertainty. The story ends with a sense of quiet hope: the penguin standing strong, surrounded by others, symbolising connection and community — the cornerstone of the Spectrum Centre’s mission.

Small Details, Big Impact

We took care to ensure the tone remained gentle and hopeful throughout. Nothing felt exaggerated or overly stylised — just simple, beautiful storytelling that captured something deeply human. The metaphor allowed viewers to engage emotionally without feeling overwhelmed, offering a window into understanding bipolar experiences in a way that’s universally accessible.

Animation With Heart

This project reminded us how powerful creative storytelling can be when it’s rooted in empathy. By combining delicate illustration, thoughtful sound design, and a metaphor that speaks volumes, we helped the Spectrum Centre communicate their message in a way that was both poetic and profound.

Because sometimes, the smallest stories — even that of a penguin — can help us understand what it means to be human.