As part of a four-person design team at Monash University, I co-created a multimedia PSA campaign dedicated to destigmatizing mental health challenges among young adults. Within this unified system, I directed the motion narrative and abstract visual language for the ANXIETY focus, translating complex internal tension into an approachable, empathetic call for connection.
Role
Anxiety | Complete Production & Motion Design
Discipline
Brand System & Story __ Video Production & Editing __ Graphic & Motion Design __
Deliverables
Anxiety: Self-Directed Campaign Video
Software Used
Adobe Illustrator (Graphics) Adobe After Effects (Motion) Adobe Premier Pro (Video Editing)
A MENTAL HEALTH PSA | VIDEO PRODUCTION, BRANDING, MOTION
PROJECT OVERVIEW Developed as a collaborative Public Service Advertising (PSA) campaign alongside an international exchange with Pukyong University, this project was built by a three-person design team at Monash University to address mental health struggles among students aged 18–25. Moving away from clinical, judgmental health messaging, the project uses relatable, short-form animation to destigmatize invisible battles and make seeking support feel safe and approachable.
CAMPAIGN STRATEGY: RECLAIMING 'CONFESSION' " I have a confession to make" __ Our campaign was built on the idea of reframing the word 'confession.' Traditionally linked to guilt, we used it as a metaphor for opening up. By beginning the conversation with a "confession," we invite the audience to lean in and listen without judgement. __ We anchored the entire campaign on a simple truth: opening up isn't a sign of weakness, but the first step toward genuine comfort. __ I positioned anxiety not as a medical defect, but as an invisible, universal weight that loses its grip the moment it is voiced.
MY FOCUS: ANXIETY __ I focused on anxiety because I wanted to show what overthinking and internal panic actually feel like, instead of just treating it like a buzzword. __ Ditching the textbook definitions helped frame the piece like an honest, personal thought spiral that anyone could relate to. __ I leaned into that weird push-pull between wanting to reach out to people and just wanting to shut down and hide away. __ The whole piece builds toward that breath of relief when you finally admit what's going on, showing that simply talking about it takes away so much of its power.
CHALLENGES __ The hardest part was addressing raw, internal struggles like anxiety without sounding clinical or overly dramatic, keeping the tone genuinely peer-to-peer. __ We had to visualize deep psychological tension without relying on explicit or triggering imagery that might alienate vulnerable viewers. __ With four individual designers tackling distinct themes, another challenge was keeping each piece uniquely personal while locking into a tight, unified visual and motion system.
VISUAL DEVELOPMENT & STORYBOARDING The style uses minimalist, abstract elements and a clear, focused color palette. The motion is designed to feel internal and personal, using simple shapes and transitions to represent complex feelings (e.g., anxiety, isolation) and then delivering an effective, supportive message. The visual language adopted for this PSA is rooted in empathetic design. The animations rely on the subtle, emotive movement of shapes and a controlled color palette to convey the psychological journey. The shift from a dominant deep red/muted palette (representing hidden struggle) to a bright, vibrant palette (representing help and comfort) is the most critical visual transition, designed to leave the viewer with a feeling of hope and reassurance.
EMOTIONAL CODING SYSTEM __ We assigned a distinct core hue to each mental health focus, giving the viewer an immediate visual cue for which battle was being unpacked. __ I used high-tension, red hues that shift dynamically, capturing the restlessness and hyper-vigilance of an anxious mindset. __ We integrated a warm, comforting accent color across all four pieces, tying our individual stories into a single visual ecosystem. __ Each piece transitions from its dominant, tense color into this shared warm tone, visually signaling that speaking up brings clarity and relief.
COLLABORATION SYSTEM To keep four distinct topics unified, we established shared motion guidelines, typography, and transition anchors early on. Regular cross-critiques and matched visual handoffs ensured every individual piece worked independently while seamlessly snapping into the full campaign edit.
THE COLLECTIVE VOICE: ONE FINAL MESSAGE __ We combined all four individual cuts: Anxiety, Depression, Psychosis, and Substance Use, into a cohesive, multi-chapter film that shows how varied yet interconnected these battles are. __ Subtle audio cues and matched geometric shifts link each member’s segment, keeping the flow natural rather than feeling like four disconnected clips playing in a row. __ The film builds toward our unified warm palette and collective message, demonstrating that no matter the specific struggle, opening up brings the same grounding relief.
COMMUNITY MESSAGE For the closing sequence, we stepped in front of the camera together, putting real student faces to the campaign to prove no one has to carry these struggles alone. This transition broke the digital fourth wall to deliver our final message directly, helping students see themselves in our struggles and giving them the push they need to speak out.
KEY IMPACT & OUTCOME __ Destigmatizing the Conversation: Made vulnerable mental health struggles approachable and relatable, sparking open dialogue across the student body. __ Direct Access to Support: Connected viewers straight to accessible campus wellness resources, lowering the barrier to reaching out. __ Design Validation: Was able to successfully translate complex psychological topics into a unified visual system, that created impact for students.
