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With our help, Hounslow Council recently began rolling out a new, more empathetic and people-focused grievance and disciplinary framework. Explainer animation was the perfect medium with which to tell their workforce of the changes ahead, addressing the emotional impact of workplace conflicts with clarity and sensitivity.
Challenge:
"Like a weight has been lifted" — that’s how our clients at the London Borough of Hounslow hoped their staff would feel after watching their new explainer animation. Because no matter the outcome, going through grievance or disciplinary procedures at work is all too often a bruising experience. This project set out to change that.
The council needed to communicate a significant shift in how workplace conflict is approached — from a formal process to a more open, human-centred framework. The challenge was finding a way to share this change with 2,500 people in a way that felt caring, clear, and genuinely supportive.
They understood that traditional top-down communication wouldn't do. Instead, they needed something emotional, sincere, and accessible — something that would help every employee feel understood and informed.
Solution:
We worked with the team at Hounslow to create an emotionally resonant explainer animation that would anchor their communications campaign. The animation needed to reflect their empathy and signal a real cultural shift — all in under two minutes.
Our scriptwriter, Rachel, collaborated closely with stakeholders to shape a message that informed without alarming, and inspired without overpromising.
The tone and balance of the language we used was absolutely critical. It's so important to listen hard, particularly to feedback on words or turns of phrase that do or don't feel right. It's the only way to ensure that the script does the job they need it to.
Rachel, Director of Storytelling, Scriberia
The animation team chose a hand-drawn, analogue style that felt honest, human and approachable. Thought and speech bubbles of different weights conveyed how communication impacts emotions. Heavier unresolved thoughts sat heavily, while positive exchanges floated light and free.
We wanted the animation to feel sincere and honest – the team at Hounslow are approachable, accommodating, and ready to listen, so we wanted that to reflect in the visuals as well.
Conor Kehelly, Lead Animator, Scriberia
Conor and the team used gouache-style brushes to bring warmth and individuality to each character — showing a diverse and authentic cross-section of people at work. It was an approach designed to make every viewer feel seen.
Results:
The finished animation is a warm and compassionate centrepiece for the council’s internal communications. It simplifies a sensitive topic while honouring its emotional complexity, helping staff understand and embrace the change with confidence.
We’re thrilled with our animation – it’s the lynchpin of our comms, enabling us to present the ‘why’ of what we’re doing in a simple and captivating way. The video is being really well received and it’s great to use stills in other comms to reinforce our approach.
Ros Doyle, Head of Strategic People Services, London Borough of Hounslow
“The team, led by Karen, have been fantastic. Really responsive, creative, adaptable to things we wanted to do and working to deadline. Many thanks to the whole team.”
