EPIC Scotland needed a way to raise awareness about the risks of bringing certain foods or plants into Scotland. To support their public campaign, they partnered with Ping Creates to produce a short animated film that could explain biosecurity risks clearly and memorably for a global audience.
The Challenge
To reach a diverse public audience of travellers, students and returning holidaymakers, the animation needed to:
- Explain complex biosecurity issues quickly and accessibly
- Cross language barriers to engage international travellers
- Work across social media, web and public locations like airports
- Stay relevant even as regulations evolve.
The goal was to help people understand that one small oversight can have devastating consequences.
Our Approach
At Ping Creates, we know that learning sticks when it’s visual, emotional and story-driven.
We got to work on a script centred around Tom, a well-meaning traveller returning from holiday. Through colourful scenes and up-tempo pacing, the film follows Tom as he unknowingly carries back a sausage and exotic fruit infected with invisible pathogens.
His ‘souvenirs’ start to spread contamination resulting in wilting plants, sickly livestock and ruined landscapes. Struck by the consequences of his actions, Tom rewinds the film in order to make a better choice.
The creative process involved:
- Script & Storyboard Creation: We distilled EPIC Scotland’s messages into a simple visual story.
- Visual Development: We used a bold, colourful, cut-out style to balance warmth and seriousness.
- Accessibility & Longevity: Any necessary text was included unobtrusively, allowing updates should regulations evolve.
The Solution
The resulting animation delivered a clear, resonant message: when it comes to bringing food and plants back to Scotland… don’t risk it!
The final film was optimised for distribution on social media, websites and screens within airports. Designed for universal understanding, it required no prior knowledge of EPIC Scotland to grasp the stakes.
Impact
The animation gave EPIC Scotland an effective new tool to reach travellers and the wider public. Strong visual storytelling and accessible design transformed complex government messaging into an engaging, shareable experience.
For EPIC Scotland, the film reaffirmed their role as trusted advisors protecting Scotland’s ecosystems.
For Ping Creates, it was another opportunity to use animation to make a vital message heard and remembered – inspired by dreams of responsible behaviour and a safer world.
Dreaming of an animation that clearly explains important information?
