PROJECT DETAILS:
Client: MFA
Agency: Narrative Strategies
Date: 2024
Type: Animated Explainer
My Role: Design, Animation, Editing
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
In partnership with the Managed Fund Association (MFA), the trade association for the global alternative asset management industry, I created a compelling animated explainer video as part of their "Investing in Opportunity" campaign. The video effectively communicated how private credit funds and hedge funds benefit everyday Americans across the country, from supporting pension plans for teachers and firefighters to funding university scholarships and charitable foundations. Our strategic design approach balanced visual appeal with production efficiency to deliver a memorable educational piece that challenged common misconceptions about hedge fund beneficiaries.
THE CHALLENGE
MFA needed an animated explainer video that could:
• Complement their existing "Investing in Opportunity" campaign while offering visual freshness
• Break down complex financial concepts into accessible, engaging visuals
• Communicate statistical information in a memorable, visually appealing way
• Challenge preconceptions about who benefits from hedge funds and private credit
• Balance production efficiency with distinctive visual appeal
• Stand out in a crowded field of financial explainer videos
THE APPROACH
I developed a distinctive animation style and production methodology that prioritized both visual impact and production efficiency:
• Created a flat design style enhanced with subtle construction paper textures to add tactile depth without excessive production complexity
• Made a strategic design choice to limit character facial features to eyebrows and beards—omitting eyes, noses, and mouths—to emphasize expressive body movement and streamline animation
• Developed all character designs and locations using Adobe Illustrator, enhanced with AI-derived design elements
• Incorporated a subtle painterly style that complemented the paper texture overlay
• Designed visual sequences to clearly communicate statistical information while maintaining viewer engagement
• Ensured visual continuity with the broader "Investing in Opportunity" campaign while introducing fresh design elements
THE IMPACT
The resulting animated explainer successfully transformed abstract financial concepts into a visually engaging narrative that effectively communicated how hedge funds and private credit benefit ordinary Americans. The distinctive visual style—with its tactile paper textures and uniquely designed characters—created a memorable viewing experience that helped differentiate MFA's messaging in the financial education space. By presenting clear statistics through engaging visuals, the video effectively challenged common misconceptions about hedge fund beneficiaries, supporting MFA's broader educational goals while maintaining brand consistency with their "Investing in Opportunity" campaign.
