Challenge

Horizon Europe is a major research and innovation funding programme covering a broad range of ambitious objectives and opportunities. Innovate UK needed a clear and engaging way to introduce the programme’s key missions and help audiences understand the purpose and potential impact of each one.

The challenge was to take a large amount of complex information and transform it into something concise, accessible and visually engaging. The animation needed to communicate the scale and ambition of Horizon Europe without overwhelming the viewer, while maintaining a professional tone appropriate for businesses, researchers, innovators and other organisations interested in funding opportunities.

Solution

We created a bespoke explainer video that introduced Horizon Europe and visually communicated each of its five missions through clear storytelling, video and motion graphics.

Rather than relying on lengthy written explanations, the video broke the programme down into easily digestible sections, using engaging visuals to support the key messages and give each mission its own identity.

The result was an informative yet approachable explainer video that helped Innovate UK communicate a complex international funding programme in a format that could be quickly understood and easily shared across digital channels, presentations and stakeholder communications.

Process

Research & Content Development

We worked closely with the project team to understand Horizon Europe, its five missions and the key information that needed to be communicated. The content was refined to ensure the animation remained concise while accurately representing the objectives of the programme.

Script & Storyboarding

The information was structured into a clear narrative that introduced Horizon Europe before guiding the viewer through each of the five missions. A detailed storyboard established how every message would be represented visually and ensured the animation maintained a consistent flow.

Illustration & Visual Development

A bespoke illustration style was developed to transform abstract themes and complex subjects into simple, recognisable visual concepts. The graphics were designed to make the information more accessible while creating a consistent visual language throughout the video.

Motion Graphics

The graphics were brought to life using animation and motion graphics, with transitions and movement helping connect the five missions into one cohesive story.

Post-Production & Delivery

The final animation was refined with editing, audio and motion graphics before being prepared for use across Innovate UK’s digital communications, presentations and wider promotional activity.

Results

• Created an engaging animated explainer video introducing Horizon Europe and its key missions.
• Simplified a complex research and innovation funding programme into clear, accessible visual content.
• Helped businesses, researchers and innovators better understand the objectives of Horizon Europe.
• Used 2D animation and motion graphics to make detailed information more engaging and memorable.
• Demonstrated how animation can make complex public-sector, research and funding information easier to understand.