BBC News – World AIDS Day Explainer Animation
Overview
An explainer animation created for World AIDS Day, designed to communicate the origins of HIV, how it spread globally, and where it stands today.
The piece was broadcast on BBC World News and featured on the front page of the BBC website.
The Challenge
The subject matter was complex, sensitive and globally relevant. The audience ranged from general public viewers to international audiences with varying levels of understanding.
The challenge was to:
- communicate scientific and historical information clearly
- maintain a calm, respectful tone
- present data and geography in an engaging and accessible way
- stay within BBC editorial and brand guidelines
Approach
I developed a visual narrative using illustration, maps and motion to guide the viewer through the story step by step.
- Broke complex information into a clear sequence
- Used simple, consistent illustration to avoid clinical or alarming imagery
- Designed maps and data visuals to be readable at speed
- Maintained a restrained, editorial tone aligned with BBC standards
Storyboarding played a key role in structuring the information and pacing the animation before production began.
Accessibility & Audience Consideration
Accessibility was central to the design process.
- Controlled pacing so viewers could read and absorb key information
- Used clear hierarchy, contrast and typography for legibility
- Designed visuals that worked across a broad, international audience
From my broadcast experience, I also ensured the animation could translate effectively across different cultural contexts and languages, including adapting layouts for right-to-left reading where required.
Delivery
The animation was designed and produced within a tight turnaround, requiring efficient decision-making and a clear production workflow.
I created all elements, including:
- Illustration
- Motion design
- Data visualisation
- Final animation
Impact
- Featured on the BBC homepage
- Aired on BBC World News
- Ranked the number one most read and viewed story for two consecutive days
- Remained in the top ten for sixteen days
- Received positive feedback from senior editorial stakeholders
Key Learning
This project reinforced the importance of clarity, sensitivity and structure when communicating complex information to a broad audience.
Careful pacing, strong visual hierarchy and thoughtful storytelling ensured the content remained both accessible and engaging.
BBC News
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