CNN Digital
The dangers of mercury in skin whitening products explained
Animated Explainer

Skin whitening affects people across cultures. Drawing on my Jamaican background and familiarity with its impact on melanated communities, we created visuals to help viewers see themselves in the story, using a monochromatic palette to reflect the stark reality of skin lightening products.

As Art Director, I led the creation of a decolonized, accessible design language. We used collaged skin textures and simple hand gestures to guide viewers through facts and data. The characters were anonymous yet relatable, fostering personal connection without reinforcing stereotypes.

To deepen the impact, we used frame-by-frame animation to show data as particles. This added texture and weight while keeping the experience clear and grounded.

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Editor: Meera Senthilingam
Senior Production: Ladan Anoushfar
Art Direction: Elisa Solinas
Design and Animation: Agne Jurkenaite, Emma Beinish, Jue Gong
Additional Animation: Patrick Gallagher, Taylor Su
Sound Design: Sofia Couciero

Awards:
2023 Emmy for Outstanding Graphic Design & Art Direction

2023 Society of Publication Designers Gold Medal