Inspirational thinker Brené Brown considers why we blame others, how it sabotages our relationships and why we desperately need to move beyond this toxic behaviour.
This animation was created by Katy Davis for the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts (The RSA), an enlightenment organisation committed to finding innovative, practical solutions to today’s social challenges. As part of that mission, they have launched their fabulous series ‘RSA Shorts’. This series provides a snapshot of a big idea, blending voices from the RSA public events programme and the creative talents of illustrators and animators from around the world. It responds to the ever-increasing need for new ideas and inspiration in our busy lives and acts as a shot of ‘mental espresso’ to awaken the curiosity in all of us.
The audio of this RSA short is of Dr Brené Brown who spoke at the RSA on The Power Of Vulnerability. The RSA sent over the audio snippet and let Katy loose with coming up with ideas/designs/plans for the animation. Complete creative freedom (what a fab client)!
The RSA had suggested that it may be nice to create a character to represent Brené for this animation. Katy designed a character that was cute and relatable, with funny little expressions – just like Brené! She kept the background clean and minimal with the character always being central to the screen; our main point of focus.
Katy concentrated on detailed animation of rooms appearing and disappearing, character quirks and smooth transitions. Starting with pencil sketches, Katy worked up each frame of this animation by illustrating pen on paper. She then scanned, cleaned and coloured each frame. There are 1,002 separate illustrations, as well as plenty of layered Photoshop files, incorporated into the animation.
Over a million views in a year and garnered with a Vimeo “Staff Pick” in 2015, the video has been highly commended and widely shared.
In May 2016, the animation took the Platinum Award at the Muse Creative Awards in the animation category. The Muse Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals who inspire through concept, writing and/or design. “We wish to recognise the singular achievements of small and medium-sized firms, and the creative professionals who represent the heart and soul of the global marketing communications industry,” said Kenjo Ong, co-managing director for the Muse Creative Awards (MCA). “They follow the spark of an inner muse, lighting the path to success with deep knowledge and shining originality.”
In 2020, the RSA's series "RSA Shorts - World-Changing Ideas" went on to win a Webby Award. This included three of our animations; "The Power Of Empathy" , "Blame" and "Anyone Can Change The World".
Director: Katy Davis
Audio: Dr Brené Brown
Design: Katy Davis
Animation: Katy Davis
RSA Webby Award win for their series “RSA Shorts – World-Changing Ideas” which includes three of our animations; “The Power Of Empathy” , “Blame” and “Anyone Can Change The World”
Winner: Platinum Award at the Muse Creative Awards 2016
Official selection: Trickywomen Film Festival 2016
Official selection: Cut Out Animation Festival 2015
Finalist: MY HERO International Film Festival 2015
Shortlist: Association Of Illustrators: World Illustration Awards 2015
Official selection: Raindance 2015 - screened at Vue Piccadilly Circus
Official selection: Reel Health Film Festival 2015
Official selection: Long Day Short Film Festival 2015
Vimeo Staff Pick 2015
Official selection: Nevada Women’s Film Festival 2015
