A Thoughtful Way to Plan Ahead.
Planning for the future isn’t always easy, but it can bring peace of mind. This animation helps explain how prepaid cremation plans at Bramcote Crematorium provide a simple, thoughtful way to take care of tomorrow - today
Client: BakerBaird Communications, on behalf of Bramcote Bereavement Services;
working closely with Gaby Taylor, Account Director & Stuart Baird, Director.
Design and creative direction: Katya Khimenets
Animation: Katya Khimenets
Client & Objective
BakerBaird Communications, on behalf of Bramcote Bereavement Services, approached me to create an explainer video promoting their new prepaid cremation plans at Bramcote Crematorium. This animation was part of a broader campaign that included posters, brochures, and social media content.
The goal was to create a sensitive, engaging, and approachable animation that would help their audience understand the benefits of prepaid cremation plans.
The Challenge
Creating an animation around such a delicate topic was a challenge in itself.
The key considerations were:
Ensuring the animation remained warm, human, and approachable.
Choosing a character style that resonated with the audience while fitting the message.
Working within a limited budget while maintaining high-quality production values.
The most significant creative challenge was designing the characters. They needed to be visually appealing, easy to animate, and capable of conveying subtle emotions that fit the overall tone of the animation.
The Solution
To achieve a warm and inviting feel, I chose a color palette with soft, warm tones and animated with smooth, slow-motion movements. The animation also featured subtle, airy transitions, all complemented by a calm and reassuring music. These elements worked together to create a gentle, comforting experience for the audience.
For character animation, I used Duik and Joysticks & Sliders in After Effects. These tools allowed me to:
Automate rigging, saving time and ensuring smooth movements.
Create separate body parts for animation, allowing fluid motion without breaking the design.
Animate head movements subtly, preventing the characters from looking static.
I carefully designed and rigged the characters so that their limbs and body moved naturally. The animation also maintained continuous motion, ensuring there was always something happening on screen to keep the visuals engaging.
The Outcome
The final animation was well received by both the agency and the client. The video successfully delivered the message in a gentle, informative, and engaging way. Here’s what the client had to say:
“We worked with Katya on a very sensitive subject (around end of life). We found her interactions with us superb, and she strove to get to the heart of what we (and our client) were trying to achieve. Throughout, Katya felt fully part of the team effort, not just a supplier. She was responsive to emails and updates and kept us fully informed of other project pressures or time away from the office so we could stick to deadlines without stress. We will definitely work with Katya again and would recommend others to do the same.”
Key Takeaways and Lessons Learned
This project was a great learning experience, particularly in the areas of:
Character design and animation – I refined my workflow for designing and rigging characters in a way that allows natural movement.
Project workflow and time management – Managing a project with a sensitive subject and ensuring clear communication with the agency and client.
Creative decision-making – Developing a warm, approachable animation style for a challenging topic.
Every project presents a learning opportunity, and this one reinforced the idea that even the most challenging topics can be turned into engaging visual stories with the right creative approach.