The brief.
The brief for this project was to utilise the power of storytelling to engage audiences with the findings of the new Faith in the Nexus report, published by NICER, National Institute of Christian Education Research. This research piece was a long and comprehensive study into children’s attitudes and understanding of faith issues, and the role that school, home and churches all play in helping children to flourish in their spiritual development. The ambition is to engage a wide audience with the findings of this research, to help implement the findings of the report – ti create a collaborative Nexus of Faith between home, school and churches.
Faith in the Nexus
Through animated storytelling we see the convergence of three core drivers to help audiences engage with NICER’s research: to inform,(cognitive), to motivate (behavioural) and to inspire (emotional). This simple story led animation touches upon each of these core drivers, serving as a stimulus to help audiences think deeper on the subject presented, as well as a promotional tool for the actual report itself.
With an in-depth academic report, covering over 130 pages, NICER seeks to implement the findings of the research with a wide audience. The combination of storytelling, driven by academic research, creates a powerful synergy in which NICER can now deliver on this ambition. Audience engagement through the animation, provides both the emotive and cognitive drivers that are necessary to lead to the required behavioural change NICER seeks.
Working the brief
Due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings it was clear that the normal route of launching the report findings in a face to face capacity were no longer available. The idea to launch an academic report online led to the idea of an animated explainer.
In the initial discussions and planning of the project it was clear that, given the complexity of the subject, only a storytelling approach could deliver on the project’s ambitions. Rather than creating an explainer, we explored a storytelling option.
Through a rigorous storyfinding process it was clear that the story underlying the report consisted of 4 archetypal characters, each representing a mindset that the researcher encountered in her research. These archetypal characters play a key role in the story, helping to deliver some of the complexities found in the research in a simple and clear narrative for audiences to engage with.
Logo
The animated logo plays a crucial role in reinforcing to viewers that this research comes from a professional body and holds a serious element. The logo element, incorporating interconnected lines that mesh together for the logo reveal, plays out against a dark navy blue above the research centre’s logos. These help to communicate the academic feel of the report, while giving an official ending to the animation.
Portfolio and prices
Download our portfolio and costs brochure for a full guide on the types of storytelling services available, and a full list of prices to help you plan your storytelling journey.
How can we help you?
Do you have a project that you would like to talk about?
