GamCare is developing a new online programme to help individuals better manage and mitigate the harms associated with gambling. This initiative highlights how gambling charities use animation for harm awareness and prevention, making complex topics more accessible and engaging. As part of this initiative, they wanted to complement four key learning modules with engaging 30-40 second animations. These animations needed to be visually appealing while maintaining a careful balance—grabbing attention without being overwhelming or triggering for the target audience.
The animations covered the following topics:
Understanding the nature of gambling websites—often designed to be loud and visually intense—GamCare wanted animations that stood out but avoided being too overstimulating. These charity animations for gambling harm awareness needed to capture attention while maintaining a supportive and educational tone. At the same time, they felt that many online learning visuals can be overly generic or bland, so they were keen to create something with personality. They referenced Headspace as a strong example of an engaging, accessible animation style. While they had previously commissioned animations internally, they were keen to see a fresh and innovative approach for this project.
GamCare had initial ideas for how they wanted the animations to look and feel, but it was crucial for us to establish a distinctive visual style that aligned with their goals. Our first step was to develop a series of stylesheets—some evolved from their existing branding, while others introduced entirely new design concepts. This exploratory phase helped GamCare refine its vision and select the most effective direction for the animations.
Once the visual style was defined, we moved into storyboarding. Given the short runtime of each animation, every frame needed to be purposeful, reinforcing key messages in a clear and engaging way. Storyboarding played a vital role in ensuring that both our team and GamCare had a clear sense of the narrative and visual approach for each piece.
With the structure in place, our animation team brought the concepts to life, incorporating dynamic motion and smooth transitions to keep the animations fluid and engaging. By integrating digital learning content for non-profits, these animations effectively support gambling addiction education and prevention. The goal was to make the content as accessible and impactful as possible, ensuring that viewers remained engaged while absorbing key learning points.
Concept development
Story development
Schedules and timelines
Style sheets
Illustration
Animation
Sound design
Music licensing
The result of this project was a set of engaging and thoughtfully designed animations that successfully balance style, clarity, and accessibility. It was fantastic to collaborate with GamCare on a project that will play an important role in supporting individuals affected by gambling harm. The animations will now be used as part of their online learning modules, helping to educate and support users in a way that is both effective and visually engaging.
Looking for a powerful way to educate and engage your audience? Let’s talk about how animation can support your charity’s mission! Let’s talk!