The brief
Telling the Story of 20 Years of AMOC Research Through Animation
The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is approaching the 20th anniversary of its AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation) research. To mark this milestone, they wanted to create an animated film that would serve as an educational tool for new audiences. The goal was to draw attention to the research, showcase the key impacts of the project, and highlight why continuing this research is essential.
Given the nature of the subject, there was a challenge in balancing the scientific urgency of the research with an engaging and solution-focused message. While the AMOC’s changes can have serious global implications, the film needed to instil a sense of optimism, showcasing the solutions and progress made over the past two decades rather than simply presenting a dire outlook.
NOC has an established visual style for its animations, which they wanted to refine and develop further. Our role was not only to help enhance the aesthetic style but also to ensure that animation assets were used effectively to complement the story and bring the script to life. Throughout the project, we adhered to NOC’s brand guidelines and logo specifications, ensuring consistency across all content.
What we did
How Universities Use Animation to Communicate Research
We worked closely with NOC’s team to develop their visual style, pushing their existing animation approach in new creative directions.
To ensure we told the story in the most impactful and accurate way, we first needed to gain a deep understanding of AMOC research. This meant collaborating with NOC’s scientists to distil complex information into a compelling and accessible narrative.
Once the concept was clear, we developed style sheets that allowed everyone to visualise how the film would play out on screen. These were then expanded into full storyboards as the script was signed off, ensuring every scene was clearly mapped out before animation began.
Our animation team then set the film in motion, carefully crafting transitions and movements that felt both natural and engaging. Given the subject matter, dynamism was crucial—whether it was the movement of ocean currents, the travel of research vessels, or the motion of individual fish. We paid close attention to every detail, ensuring that all movement, from large-scale environmental changes to the smallest marine life, was as smooth and realistic as possible.
To maximise the impact of the film, we also created a series of social media cuts, allowing key moments from the film to reach wider audiences and generate more engagement around AMOC research.
The technical
Concept development
Story development
Schedules and timelines
Style sheets
Illustration
Animation
Sound design
Music licensing
The result
How Scientific Animation Drives Climate Research Awareness
We thoroughly enjoyed working on this project, which highlights how universities and environmental institutions use animation for research communication, making complex climate science accessible and engaging. Education is the foundation of meaningful change, and being part of a film that helps raise awareness and understanding of climate science was an incredible experience. Working within an established visual style while also finding ways to push creative boundaries was a rewarding challenge, and the collaborative nature of this project made it all the more fulfilling.
We’re proud to have contributed to a film that not only highlights the importance of ocean research but also inspires action by showcasing the real-world solutions and progress made by the National Oceanography Centre over the past 20 years.
Want to create an engaging research impact video for your university or environmental institution? Let’s collaborate on a compelling animation that drives awareness! Let’s talk.
