Splash Foundation
‘Swimming is a Superpower’
When we were tasked with creating a promotional video for Splash Youth Programmes, we knew we had a challenge on our hands. We needed to appeal to a diverse audience: parents, young kids, SEN students and teenagers, each with unique needs. Parents wanted a safe, inclusive environment for their children to learn swimming, while kids craved fun, age-appropriate activities. Teenagers, often self-conscious about learning to swim later in life, didn't want to be grouped with younger children.
We needed a universal, aspirational story to bridge these gaps. And during our brainstorming sessions with the Splash team, we discovered Joe’s story. Joe, an 18-year-old swimming coach and former SEN student, had learned to swim in his teens and eventually became a coach. His journey from non-swimmer to coach embodied the aspirational, real-life hero we sought.
We chose to animate Joe’s story to make it relatable and engaging for all viewers. Collaborating closely with Joe, we wrote the script and used his voice for the narration, ensuring authenticity. Inspired by the ending credits of "Spiderman: No Way Home," we used sketchbook-style animations and mixed-media collage to mimic a student’s notebook, emphasizing Joe’s role as a real-life superhero. Through this approach, we aimed to inspire all Splash students to achieve their own swimming superpower.