A Canvas of Change: The Animated Story of United Way of Chennai

A compelling 2D animated video that showcases the impact of a nonprofit and the spirit of community service.
UWC works on issues related to education, health, livelihood and environment.

United Way of Chennai (UWC) is a Tamil Nadu-based nonprofit. They are committed to mobilising the caring power of communities through sustainable and impactful interventions.

We embarked on a project to capture the essence of UWC’s work through a visually engaging and informative 2D animated video. The primary goal was to create a compelling narrative that would resonate with audiences and raise awareness about the organisation’s mission and impact.

The culmination of the collaborative effort resulted in an illuminating explainer video that encapsulates the heart and soul of UWC. The video serves as a powerful tool for the organisation to communicate its mission, values and the tangible difference it makes in the community.

Watch the full animated video here.

The creative journey unfolded through a series of in-depth discussions on the preferred style of animation, scripting and then crafting a narrative that effectively conveys the message of UWC.

Following the script, the project moved into the storyboarding phase, where the visual elements were sketched out in detail. Illustrations and animations were carefully crafted, bringing the storyline to life in a visually captivating manner. The editing phase fine-tuned the visual elements, ensuring a seamless flow and maximum impact.

Stills from the animated video for United Way of Chennai.
Stills from the animated video for United Way of Chennai.

The collaborative effort between Simit Bhagat Studios and UWC resulted in an impactful 2D animated video that goes beyond mere visuals. It serves as a testament to the power of creativity in conveying meaningful messages and inspiring positive change.

As a tool for communication and advocacy, this animated video is poised to amplify the reach and impact of UWC, contributing to the organisation’s ongoing efforts to create positive change in the community.

If you need a way to share your nonprofit’s impact, reach out to us here to discuss how we can support your mission.


Client: United Way of Chennai 
Discipline: Films and Photography 
Creative Director: Simit Bhagat 
Animator: Rohan Krishnan
Illustrator: Kumar Shradhesh Nayak
Voice Actor: Swarnima Ranade

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Swanand Deo

Web Development Specialist

Swanand Deo is a WordPress and Web Development Specialist working on various digital projects. With over a decade of experience in the design and development space, he has collaborated with over 50 national and international clients. He specialises in User Experience (UX) design, WordPress development, and creating engaging digital experiences. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Pune.

Mrinali Parmar

Associate (Partnerships)

Mrinali Parmar works on operations and building partnerships with social impact organisations. With five years of work experience, she has focused on education and promoting awareness of climate change and sustainability in her operations role. She holds a Master’s Degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai and is passionate about linguistics, speaking six languages.

Swarnima Ranade

Voice Actress

Swarnima Ranade is a medical doctor turned voice actress who has done voice-over work for everything from commercials to documentaries to corporate narration to children’s books. She has worked with numerous noteworthy businesses in the past, such as Tata, Uber, Walmart, and YouTube Kids. She graduated from SVU in Gujarat with a degree in dental surgery.

Kumar Shradhesh Nayak

Illustrator

Kumar Shradhesh Nayak is a professional artist, illustrator, and graphic designer who studied at the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Hyderabad. His experience includes stints at EkakiVedam and Design Avenue, both of which are prominent advertising firms. He enjoys trying out new approaches to illustration and creates artwork for a variety of projects.

Divya Shree

Content Producer cum Editor

Divya Shree is a media alumna from Symbiosis Institute in Pune who loves producing and editing non-fiction content. She has directed, shot, and edited videos for various productions. Her strengths are research, audience awareness, and the presentation of intricate topics with clarity and interest.

Manish Mandavkar

Motion Editor

Manish Mandavkar has studied animation at Arena Animation in Mumbai. He has previously worked on animated videos and motion graphics for brands, including Unilever and Zee Movies. An avid gamer, he is also passionate about sketching and photography. He holds a degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai.

Joel Machado

Film Editor

Mumbai-based creative consultant and film editor Joel Machado has worked on documentaries as well as films in the mainstream Bollywood sector. He was also the Chief Assistant Director on the Jackie Shroff short, “The Playboy, Mr. Sawhney.” In addition to earning a B.Com from Mumbai University, he attended the city’s Digital Academy to hone his script writing skills.

Apoorva Kulkarni

Partnership Manager

Apoorva Kulkarni is the Partnerships Manager, and is responsible for developing strategic alliances and collaborative initiatives with other organisations in the social development ecosystem. For the past five years, she has been employed by major corporations, including Perthera (USA) and Genotypic Technology. She has written and published poetry, and she has been an integral part of The Bidesia Project. At Georgetown University in the United States, she earned a Master of Science in Bioinformatics.

Aliefya Vahanvaty

Sr. Creative Partner

Senior Creative Partner, Aliefya Vahanvaty has worked in a wide range of editorial roles over the course of her career, gaining experience as a correspondent, copy editor, writer, photographer, and assistant editor at publications like the Times of India, Forbes India, Open Magazine, Impact Magazine, and others. In addition to her MA in Sociology from Mumbai University, she also has an MA in Photojournalism from the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom.

Simit Bhagat

Founder

Founder, Simit Bhagat has worked in the fields of filmmaking, project management, and journalism for over 15 years. He has served in a variety of positions for organisations like the Times of India, the Maharashtra Forest Department, the Tata Trusts, and the Thomson Reuters Foundation. From the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, he earned a Master of Arts in Science, Society, and Development.