Founded in 1966, the University of Calgary has become one of the top research universities in Canada with over 14 faculties and more than 85 research facilities. One of them, is the Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine who gave us the opportunity to share their research in the form of a visual story.
3D Animation
Design
The challenge was to take over 50 interviews of LTCW (Long Term Care Workers) and intertwine them into one compelling story. The message? To showcase the dire situation the LTCW were facing during the time of the pandemic and shed some light on the system, a broken system. To empathize with the LTCR and the Residents and show what was happening behind the curtains.
3D Animation
Design
The challenge was to take over 50 interviews of LTCW (Long Term Care Workers) and intertwine them into one compelling story. The message? To showcase the dire situation the LTCW were facing during the time of the pandemic and shed some light on the system, a broken system. To empathize with the LTCR and the Residents and show what was happening behind the curtains.
1. Our Brains Are Built for Stories From cave paintings to Netflix binges, humans are natural storytellers. When we hear a story, different areas of our brain activate, much as if we were experiencing it ourselves. That means a well-told animated story doesn’t just inform your audience, it immerses them. Whether you’re explaining a product, sharing a brand origin, or visualizing data, storytelling turns information into emotion, and emotion is what people remember. 2. Visuals Boost Memory and Understanding Here’s the science: people remember up to 65% of visual information three days later, compared to only 10% of what they hear. Animation takes this one step further by combining visuals, motion, and sound, engaging multiple senses at once. This multisensory experience helps your audience grasp complex ideas more quickly and retain them longer. A well-crafted animation can simplify abstract concepts like data flows, processes, or emotional journeys into something instantly clear. Think of it as turning your message into a visual metaphor your audience can’t forget. 3. Emotion Makes Your Message Memorable Science shows that emotions strengthen memory. When people feel something like curiosity, joy, or inspiration, they’re more likely to recall the message that caused it. That’s where animation truly shines. Through colour, motion, and character design, you can evoke emotions that connect deeply with your audience. Instead of just saying what you do, you show why it matters. And that emotional resonance builds loyalty, trust, and long-term brand recall. 4. Animation Simplifies Without Dumbing Down Animation is the perfect balance between clarity and creativity. You can visualize ideas that would be impossible (or boring) to show in live action, like internal processes, microscopic details, or abstract concepts. By simplifying complex information into engaging visuals, animation helps your audience get it without oversimplifying your message. That’s why it’s such a powerful storytelling medium for industries like education, tech, and healthcare, as well as for any brand that needs to explain how and why they do what they do. 5. Storytelling Through Animation Builds Stronger Brands Stories stick. Facts fade. Animation helps you tell your story in a way that’s authentic, memorable, and uniquely you. When your audience feels emotionally connected to your brand narrative, they don’t just remember you, they root for you. That’s the real science of storytelling: when people see themselves in your story, they care about your success. Ready to Make Your Message Stick? If you want your brand story to engage hearts, spark curiosity, and stay in people’s minds, animation is your most powerful ally. At Broken Pencil Studios, we use the art and science of storytelling to craft animated videos that educate, inspire, and convert. Let’s make your message unforgettable.