Digital Design student has animation project selected as part of poverty stigma campaign 

A Digital Design student has created an animation with a powerful message around the stigma of poverty, which has been recognised by a Paisley-based community support organisation.

Digital Design student Yvonne Kerr had the opportunity to create an animation for community organisation ‘Star Project’; a community development group which aims to help improve the lives of people in Renfrewshire.

The organisation, which worked with students from the Digital Design programme, provided a brief for an animation which would exist alongside their campaign “Get Yer Glow On” as part of their new Community Matters strategy.

As part of a Motion Graphics module, students were invited to create an animation to help promote the organisation and communicate the effects of poverty, whilst highlighting the negative stigma behind it.

Yvonne’s animation was well received by the Star Project and after reviewing the work of the students, Yvonne’s animation was selected to be used for the campaign.

Yvonne explained: “I started out by analysing the brief and brainstorming to create ideas that would help me create a good storyboard and visual style. There was a lot of guidance in the brief in terms of the concept, message and tone so there was a lot to work with.

They wanted to deliver the message with a visual representation of stigma, which I chose to represent as a dark shapeshifting monster that followed the subjects of the animation and drained the light out of them. The concept of “Get Yer Glow On” aimed to represent the transformation and resilience of those that are helped by the Star Project and this was visualised by the monster being destroyed by stars, allowing the light and hope to return back to the people in need.”

Yvonne received the good news from her classmates after not being able to attend on the day that the decision was revealed, so finding out that her work was selected was an unexpected surprise. Yvonne said: “Unfortunately, I wasn’t in class on the day of the announcement, but my friends were excitedly texting me to let me know before I was contacted by my lecturer Helen.

I was really surprised that my work was selected but it was really nice to have my work recognised and rewarded. Initially, I was a bit nervous about getting in contact with the Star Project to organise a meeting as I’d never done anything like this before, but those fears quickly went away after meeting with the team and seeing how lovely they were.”

As someone who is preparing to work in a creative field, Yvonne now understands the value of stepping outside her comfort zone and wants to encourage others to do the same. She said: “I think taking up opportunities like this play a huge role in building confidence in yourself and your work.

As a student in a creative field, it can be easy to devalue your work but experiences like this serve as a good reminder that your work is valuable and people are willing to work with you if you put yourself out there. Working with the Star Project was a really positive experience for me and has definitely inspired me to explore more freelance projects in the future.”

You can watch Yvonne’s animation here

By Rachael McAlonan

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