Challenge

KTN required an engaging animated video to explain its Place-Based Innovation programme and demonstrate how innovation can help address local challenges while supporting economic growth, sustainability and community development.

The subject matter involved multiple stakeholders, including local authorities, businesses, academic institutions and innovation partners. Communicating these relationships through traditional reports, presentations or written content alone risked losing audience engagement and making key messages difficult to understand.

KTN needed a visual communication tool that could simplify complex concepts, explain the programme’s objectives and encourage participation from organisations across the UK. The final animation needed to appeal to a diverse audience while remaining informative, professional and accessible.

Solution

We developed a bespoke animated explainer video that transformed the Place-Based Innovation framework into a clear and engaging visual narrative.

Using a combination of custom illustration, motion graphics and animated storytelling techniques, we created a video that demonstrated how innovation ecosystems operate and how different stakeholders can work together to deliver meaningful outcomes for communities and regions.

The animation translated complex policy and innovation concepts into an accessible format that could be used across presentations, events, websites and stakeholder engagement campaigns. By focusing on visual storytelling and concise messaging, the final video helped KTN communicate the programme’s value in a way that was easy to understand and memorable.

Process

Discovery & Content Development

We worked closely with the KTN team to understand the programme objectives, target audience and key messages that needed to be communicated. Workshops and briefing sessions helped identify the most important themes, challenges and opportunities within the Place-Based Innovation initiative.

Script Development

Complex programme information was distilled into a clear narrative structure that focused on the role of innovation in addressing local challenges. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring the language remained accessible to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Storyboarding & Visual Planning

A detailed storyboard was created to map out the animation sequence and visual flow. This stage helped ensure that each concept could be communicated clearly through illustration and motion graphics before production commenced.

Illustration & Animation

Custom visual assets were developed to represent communities, businesses, innovation networks and regional development initiatives. Motion graphics and animated transitions were then used to bring these elements together into a cohesive and engaging explainer video.

Sound Design & Delivery

The animation was enhanced through professional editing, audio integration and final refinement before being delivered in formats suitable for digital platforms, presentations, conferences and stakeholder engagement activities.

Results

• Produced an engaging animated explainer video for a complex innovation programme.
• Simplified technical and strategic concepts into an accessible visual format.
• Improved stakeholder understanding of Place-Based Innovation objectives.
• Created a versatile communication asset suitable for events, presentations and digital marketing.
• Enhanced audience engagement through clear visual storytelling and animation.
• Supported programme awareness and stakeholder participation across multiple sectors.
• Delivered a long-lasting communication resource that can be used across future engagement initiatives.