The goal of this project was to visually capture the passion, purpose, and real-world impact of NERC-funded scientists working in disciplines such as climate change, biodiversity, and earth systems science. This science promo animation brought their voices and stories to life in a dynamic and emotionally engaging way, giving the audience a rare glimpse into the people behind the science.
Capturing the Human Side of Science
We began the creative process by conducting audio interviews with a diverse group of researchers and scientists supported by NERC funding. These interviews offered authentic insights into what drives these individuals, why they entered their field, the challenges they’ve faced, and the impact their work has on both local communities and the global environment.
From hours of rich audio material, we carefully selected the most moving and thought-provoking quotes. These excerpts were woven together to form the narrative backbone of the animation. This storytelling approach ensured that the film remained personal, emotive, and grounded in real experience.
Instead of using scripted voiceovers, we let the scientists speak in their own words. This decision added authenticity and credibility to the project, reinforcing NERC’s mission to champion research that delivers meaningful societal benefit.
Animation Design and Storytelling
With our curated quotes and approved structure in place, our animation team moved into the storyboarding and visual design phase. Our goal was to reflect both the beauty and complexity of the natural world, while remaining aligned with NERC’s brand identity.
We created hand-drawn landscapes and environments inspired by real-world research locations: mountain ranges, deep-sea ecosystems, glaciers, coral reefs, forests, and rivers. These illustrations were animated with:
Subtle motion and atmospheric transitions
Elegant captioning of quotes and data points
Character silhouettes and iconography to suggest human presence
A rich, cinematic soundtrack to underscore the film’s emotional journey
The final result was an emotional and visually stunning science promo animation that celebrated the role of science in shaping a better future, while honouring the people who make that progress possible.
Why Science Promo Animation Works
Animation is an incredibly effective medium for science communication. It allows creators to present complex, abstract, or technical information in ways that are clear, relatable, and engaging.
In this project, animation enabled us to:
Simplify complex environmental science topics
Represent abstract research areas like atmospheric modelling or hydrology
Appeal to a broad audience across age groups and knowledge levels
Maintain creative control and consistency
Avoid the logistics and costs of on-location filming
Deliver a format suitable for events, social media, websites, and internal presentations
Whether used at a prestigious awards ceremony or shared online, the animation proved to be a high-impact communication tool that left a lasting impression on viewers.
Working with Cass Productions
With over 25 years of experience, Cass Productions is a trusted creative partner for research councils, universities, and public sector bodies. We specialise in creating science and education content that combines accuracy, creativity, and emotional impact.
Our services include:
Science promo animation
Research impact storytelling
Educational video content
Public engagement campaigns
Animated explainers and event films
We understand the unique communication challenges faced by research organisations and know how to craft content that speaks to both academic and public audiences.
Explore More of Our Work
Are you looking to turn your research into engaging, shareable video content?
Explore more of our work in science and education throughout Hampshire and the UK.
Whether you’re launching a new initiative, celebrating a milestone, or promoting long-term impact, we’d love to help you bring your story to life through science promo animation from our office in Southampton, Hampshire.