A film to showcase the actions being taken by GMCA to enhance the future of Greater Manchester.

Iconic style

We created a minimal and iconic visual style that uses geometric shapes as building blocks throughout the film. The blocks form the characters and the background elements, with some recognisable Manchester landmarks mixed in too.

Playful motion

Adding a little playful motion to the geometric designs brings some personality to a stripped back and minimal style. 

Building the environments on screen by animating the building block style shapes, helps to add to the effect that is created when transitioning between the ‘old Manchester’ and ‘new Manchester’. 

A dynamic sense of change taking place, of the transformation that GMCA are trying to create.

Transformative transitions

The film shows the transformation of Manchester from dusty and dirty to modern and clean. The design style allows us to create quick transitions between the two.

The evolution of Manchester is played out on screen, as the Mancunian characters are formed form the same blocks that make up the city, the very fabric of the city.

Representing Manchester

For the film to hit home with the local audience it had to be recognisably Manchester. We created a set of illustrated landmarks that worked with the geometric artwork style but were still identifiable.

Mapping out the story

Mapping out the shots and transitions in a storyboard is where we start to get a picture of how the visual style works for the story we're telling. 

We keep it simple at this stage, black and white and line illustrations.

The result

The final film is a celebration of Manchester and the amazing work GMCA are doing in the region. A serious subject presented in a positive and playful way.