Overview & Challenge

I was honored to lead the design and animation production for SYPartners' 8-part video series, 'Power. Love. Leadership.'

SYPartners, established in 1994, is a design and consulting firm based in San Francisco, New York, and Abu Dhabi. They specialize in strategic and innovation consulting, focusing on driving organizational performance and contributing to human progress.

This series features SYPartners' CEO Jessica Orkin in profound conversations with eight creative and visionary leaders, delving into the role of leaders within organizations and the complex themes of love and power. The series is structured into two parts, with each part featuring dialogues between Jessica and four leaders.

The core challenge of this project was to create looping animations that served as a backdrop for deep philosophical discussions without distracting the viewer. The design approach emphasized an 'aesthetic of emptiness,' avoided overly feminine visuals, and ensured the interview content remained central.

My Approach & Solution

I created visuals that thoughtfully conveyed the profound insights into the role of leaders across various organizational fields. To emphasize the message's significance, I chose to utilize a restrained color palette and abstract nature-themed visuals.

1. Minimalism & Abstract Visuals

To enhance focus on the interviews, I minimized color, designing primarily with grayscale tones to control luminosity. This minimalist approach fostered a contemplative atmosphere without visual distractions.

2. Nature-Inspired Abstract Storytelling

Drawing inspiration from the interviews and background music, I abstracted the interview themes through natural motifs. The concept was deeply rooted in the idea that nature progresses from incompleteness to completion and then cycles back, a theme I felt aligned perfectly with the project's core message. The eight animations explored the following themes:

• Shining stars in the night sky and forests

• Mountain reflections on water

• Sunrise and wave ripples

• Leaves scattered by the wind

• The birth and order of Earth

• Light

• The birth and extinction of leaves on a branch

• The birth and extinction of the universe

This abstract narrative created a subtle visual journey that harmonized with the intellectual depth of the conversations.

Visual Consistency

To ensure visual coherence across all eight animations, I applied consistent elements such as hand-drawn lines, uniform animation speeds, recurring themes, and background textures and noise. These details allowed for a consistent visual expression throughout the project.

Project Outcomes

This project was gratefully recognized with prestigious awards from 2024 to 2025. The series effectively brought to life insightful conversations on leadership with subtle yet profound visual complements, implementing complex and abstract concepts into compelling, minimalist motion graphics without overshadowing the core message.