VARTA-Your Fertility Animations

Background: These works contribute to the broad field of communication design practice, specifically focusing on animation as a tool for the dissemination of research findings within the context of Health Communications. This collection of 6x 1minute animations was commissioned by The Victorian Assisted Reproduction Treatment Authority (VARTA) and managed by their Communications expert Stephanie Francis. The aim was to distill information from research into involuntary infertility. The works address the impact of 6 factors on fertility; age, weight, timing, alcohol, smoking and STIs. The brief required a light touch as the subject (causes of infertility) is highly personal and weighty. Our approach is contrary to most previous health communication practice. Contribution: As director, animator and co-writer, I distilled a single message for each factor from the research. The balance between engagement and information is problematic in health communications. Shifting into the animated world allowed key messages to shift toward the abstract to reduce tension and increase engagement. The narration delivering information allowed images to take a lighter, more playful tone. Scripts were tested through survey and consultation as they were developed. This was a new experience for me in the context of animation development. Significance: The VARTA Works were published from mid 2012 to mid 2013, to coincide with broader health campaigns (Fertility Week, Dry July). The STI animation was also disseminated through information packs to senior high school students in Victoria.