CNN Digital
The dangers of mercury in skin whitening products explained
Animated Explainer
Skin whitening affects so many across melanated cultures. As someone from Jamaican heritage, I’m personally familiar with its impacts on black and brown communities, which informed how we considered coming up with relatable visuals. A monochromatic palette was used to emphasize the stark reality of skin lightening products.
Guiding as art director on the project, we came up with a decolonized, accessible design language. Using collaged skin textures and simple hand gestures to guide viewers through facts and data. The characters were anonymous yet relatable, offering audiences a personal connection without reinforcing stereotypes. Our designers created frame by frame animations to show the toxic effects of mercury as particles.
This video was picked up by the World Health Organization and UN for their own educational programmes and workshops across West Africa.
To learn more visit cnn.com
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
Guiding as art director on the project, we came up with a decolonized, accessible design language. Using collaged skin textures and simple hand gestures to guide viewers through facts and data. The characters were anonymous yet relatable, offering audiences a personal connection without reinforcing stereotypes. Our designers created frame by frame animations to show the toxic effects of mercury as particles.
This video was picked up by the World Health Organization and UN for their own educational programmes and workshops across West Africa.
To learn more visit cnn.com
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