Telling sensitive stories with care

At Whitenoise Studios, we believe in the power of animation to educate, engage, and build empathy - especially when the subject matter is complex or sensitive. Earlier this year, we had the privilege of working with the Department of Justice to create a five-minute animation exploring restorative justice in the context of Northern Ireland.

Restorative justice is an alternative approach to traditional criminal justice. Instead of focusing solely on punishment, it places accountability, healing, and community dialogue at the centre of the process. In a society like Northern Ireland, where the legacy of conflict has shaped the justice system and community relationships, restorative justice offers a meaningful path forward - one that recognises the human stories behind harm and conflict.

Communicating these values effectively required a thoughtful, emotionally intelligent approach, a style that animation is uniquely well suited to deliver.

The animation process: from concept to completion

Creating this animation involved a collaborative, multi-stage process with input from Department of Justice stakeholders, creative leads, illustrators, and voice artists. Here's how it came to life:

1. Discovery & Goal Setting
We began by meeting with the Department of Justice team and key stakeholders to understand the purpose of the animation:

• Who is the intended audience?
• Where will the animation be shown (e.g. schools, social platforms, training sessions)?
• What does success look like - is it increased awareness, deeper understanding or behavioural change?

2. Script Development
Working together with the DoJ team, our writers crafted a clear, emotionally resonant script, designed to inform, guide and connect with the viewer while shaping the visuals and pacing of the final piece.

3. Storyboarding
Using the script as a foundation, our team developed a hand-illustrated storyboard, visualising every frame of the animation. This step helps the client see how abstract ideas and messages will be brought to life on screen.

4. Voiceover Recording
To ensure the right tone and emotional weight, we enlisted Colette Lennon, a gifted local actor whose calm, kind, and supportive delivery brought the narrative to life with compassion and clarity.

5. Animation & Editing
Senior animators Ciaran McLaughlin and Natasha Rooney brought everything together using industry-leading software, combining bespoke animation, illustration, motion design and expert editing to produce the complete five-minute video.

6. Review & Delivery
The final animation was presented to the Department of Justice for feedback, with minor refinements made before delivering the project in all required formats for digital and in-person use.

Why animation works - particularly for challenging topics

Animation is a powerful medium for storytelling, especially when dealing with abstract, sensitive, or complex topics like restorative justice. Here’s why:

• Simplifies complex information — visual metaphors and guided narration help audiences absorb nuanced concepts easily
• Enhances brand personality — turns formal or “corporate” content into emotionally engaging experiences
• Improves information retention — studies show that viewers retain more information when it's delivered through animation
• Increases shareability — well-crafted animated content is more likely to be shared organically across social channels
• Drives conversions — whether the goal is behavioural change, sign-ups, or awareness, animation helps drive action

Let’s talk

In just the last six months, our animation team has produced videos for a wide range of clients and causes, including:

🎥 Translink's Climate Action Strategy — communicating sustainability efforts to the public

🎥 Ulster University Nursing — promoting career paths in healthcare

🎥 Misean Cara — highlighting global humanitarian achievements

🎥 Kainos — creating branded motion content for events and speaker panels

If you're exploring animation for your organisation, we’d love to help.

After a quick conversation, we can identify the right video style for your audience and objectives, and provide a quote for a completely bespoke animation tailored to your needs.

📩 Reach out to clarkeduddy@whitenoisestudios.com to start the conversation.