2025 Animation in Review

2025 was all about thoughtful storytelling, bold visual choices, and animation with a clear purpose behind it.  And whilst 2026 is already shaping up to be a year full of dynamic projects, we wanted to take a breather and look back at the work that made us proud, stretched our creativity, and reminded us why we have the best job in the world. 

From global brands to public sector organisations, we were lucky enough to collaborate with clients who trusted us to bring big ideas to life in engaging, meaningful ways. So, keeping the tradition of our annual round-up, here are just a few of the standout projects that defined our 2025.

One of the highlights of the year was our collaboration with Phaidon International, where we were asked to help bring their internal values to life through animation. The goal wasn’t just to look good (though we always aim for that), but to create something that genuinely resonated with people across the business and strengthened a shared sense of identity.

We landed on a tactile, collage-inspired animation style that felt energetic, human, and a little unexpected. This approach gave us room to explore abstract ideas while keeping people firmly at the centre of the story. Throughout the process, we played with visual metaphors that represented collaboration and connection, weaving together moments of hands, people, and shared creation. The result was a film that felt youthful and dynamic, while clearly reinforcing Phaidon’s people-first mindset.

Our ongoing partnership with the Financial Times continued into the 2024-2025 cycle, with a refreshed animated summary celebrating readers’ engagement with the year’s journalism. These projects are always a joy for us, sitting right at the intersection of data, storytelling, and design.

This year, we evolved the existing visual language rather than reinventing it. We introduced stronger typography, smoother motion, and a warmer overall feel, while keeping the authority and trust that the FT brand is known for. The end result was a film that felt polished and contemporary, offering readers a satisfying visual reflection of their year with the news, proof that data-led storytelling can still feel playful and personal.

Few projects captured hearts quite like our festive animation for the Church of England. Based on The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas, this was a chance to reimagine a much-loved children’s book as a warm, animated retelling of the nativity story.

We focused on translating the charm of the original illustrations into motion. We experimented with subtle, organic animation techniques: slightly reduced frame rates, layered textures, and gentle imperfections that echoed the feel of traditional paper-based animation. Every creative decision was made with care, ensuring the spirit of the book remained intact while adding a little sprinkle of extra magic through motion.

Rounding off the year was a series of explainer animations created in collaboration with the NHS, helping to introduce their new Federated Data Platform. When working on such a significant and technical project, clarity is absolutely essential.

We focused on calm, structured storytelling, paired with a clean visual style that aligned closely with NHS brand guidelines. Rather than diving into complex systems, the animation highlighted real-world benefits and practical outcomes, showing how the platform supports better care behind the scenes. The response from staff was incredibly encouraging, with many praising the reassuring tone and easy-to-follow explanations.