Building off of the reference of the AGE report’s illustrated cover, we developed a style that incorporates organic shapes, rich colors and textures, and dynamic text. The approach is both streamlined and highly emotive. Our goal was to celebrate the diversity of Sub-Saharan Africa, keeping top of mind its specificities and sensitivities, while maintaining an efficient design capable of meeting a rush timeline.
The World Bank Group
Adolescent Girls Empowerment Spark Video
The world of development policy is full of great ideas – far more than can be implemented. When the World Bank released its comprehensive report on empowering adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa, they faced a critical challenge: how to make their 120-page analysis not just another document on a policymaker’s desk, but a catalyst for real action. Our solution? Create a Spark Video – a dynamic animated explainer designed to spark curiosity and create understanding.
The AGE Spark Video distills complex insights into an engaging narrative, making the economic and social case for investing in adolescent girls both accessible and impossible to ignore.
Developing The Style
Character Design
It was important to go beyond the silhouettes of the written report and fully flesh out a visual representation for each of the 5 adolescent girl profiles detailed in the World Bank’s research. Organic blocks of color, key facial details, and minimal linework & texture combine to form approachable and relatable characters that viewers feel like they already know. Photo research informed clothing, hairstyle, and other design choices to feel authentic and accurate to each girl’s respective region and situation.
Visualizing the Report
The report carried a number of key messages that we needed to illustrate through a clear and effective story free of jargon. Essential locations such as schools or hospitals anchor the piece in real-world settings, providing a strong sense of place. Depending on the narrative moment, symbolic imagery is used to reinforce key themes. By integrating characters into fully realized scenes, we bring to life the everyday experiences and environments of girls in West and East Africa.
Publishing The Paper (And Our Video!)
This video became a key component of The World Bank’s communication strategy to launch their AGE Report. Together we created a message driver that excites and inspires policy makers to take the time to read and act on comprehensive, analytical research.
With two tentpole goals driving the process:
1) effective communication through simple and narrative storytelling
2) regionally-specific creative details through design, voice over, and music
we collaborated to light a spark in viewers to invest in empowering adolescent girls in Sub-saharan Africa.
Credits
Writers Alex Herder, Katrina Deptula
Producer Katrina Deptula
Creative Director, Art Direction Hannah Saidiner
Character Design Eri Hashimoto
Storyboards Eri Hashimoto, Hannah Saidiner
Animation John Martinez
Sound Design Hannah Saidiner