Cardiff Castle
Grab your ticket
to history
Strategy
2024
Character
Development
Motion Design
Bring the Past to Life with Animated Motion Graphics and Live Footage.
We have worked with Cardiff Council for many years on video, design, photography, and animated motion graphics projects. This latest project for Cardiff Castle is one we are especially proud of.
They came to us for support on a marketing strategy to attract visitors to the castle. The goal is to teach people about Cardiff Castle’s rich history. We want to make it fun for both kids and adults. The result is an immersive animation that blends real-world footage with custom character animation, telling the story of Cardiff Castle through time.
The Challenge
Cardiff Council needed a film that could attract new visitors and help them understand the castle’s story without feeling like a traditional heritage explainer. The content had to be accessible for all ages, with a tone that balanced education and entertainment, and it had to hold attention quickly across digital channels. A major creative constraint was that the story needed to land without voiceover, which meant every transition, historical beat, and emotional cue had to be communicated visually through motion design, text, and sound alone.
The Solution
We developed a clear narrative device that could carry the viewer through centuries without confusion: one ticket, caught by the wind, linking each period like a visual thread. We filmed high quality live action sequences around the castle and designed a cast of animated characters from different eras who could interact believably with real environments. To replace voiceover, we used motion design and dynamic on screen typography to deliver key historical facts at exactly the moments viewers needed them, supported by upbeat music and detailed sound design to maintain pace and energy.
The Outcome
The finished film gives Cardiff Council a versatile hero asset for digital marketing that makes the castle’s history feel immediate, approachable, and memorable. By combining authentic footage with motion design and character led storytelling, we helped the council communicate heritage in a way that encourages curiosity rather than overwhelming viewers with information. The piece also supports a wider visitor journey by framing the castle as something to explore in person, not just learn about online, and it provides a repeatable approach for future heritage content that needs to work for mixed audiences and modern attention spans.
The Challenge
Cardiff Council needed a film that could attract new visitors and help them understand the castle’s story without feeling like a traditional heritage explainer. The content had to be accessible for all ages, with a tone that balanced education and entertainment, and it had to hold attention quickly across digital channels. A major creative constraint was that the story needed to land without voiceover, which meant every transition, historical beat, and emotional cue had to be communicated visually through motion design, text, and sound alone.
The Solution
We developed a clear narrative device that could carry the viewer through centuries without confusion: one ticket, caught by the wind, linking each period like a visual thread. We filmed high quality live action sequences around the castle and designed a cast of animated characters from different eras who could interact believably with real environments. To replace voiceover, we used motion design and dynamic on screen typography to deliver key historical facts at exactly the moments viewers needed them, supported by upbeat music and detailed sound design to maintain pace and energy.
The Outcome
The finished film gives Cardiff Council a versatile hero asset for digital marketing that makes the castle’s history feel immediate, approachable, and memorable. By combining authentic footage with motion design and character led storytelling, we helped the council communicate heritage in a way that encourages curiosity rather than overwhelming viewers with information. The piece also supports a wider visitor journey by framing the castle as something to explore in person, not just learn about online, and it provides a repeatable approach for future heritage content that needs to work for mixed audiences and modern attention spans.
The Challenge
Cardiff Council needed a film that could attract new visitors and help them understand the castle’s story without feeling like a traditional heritage explainer. The content had to be accessible for all ages, with a tone that balanced education and entertainment, and it had to hold attention quickly across digital channels. A major creative constraint was that the story needed to land without voiceover, which meant every transition, historical beat, and emotional cue had to be communicated visually through motion design, text, and sound alone.
The Solution
We developed a clear narrative device that could carry the viewer through centuries without confusion: one ticket, caught by the wind, linking each period like a visual thread. We filmed high quality live action sequences around the castle and designed a cast of animated characters from different eras who could interact believably with real environments. To replace voiceover, we used motion design and dynamic on screen typography to deliver key historical facts at exactly the moments viewers needed them, supported by upbeat music and detailed sound design to maintain pace and energy.
The Outcome
The finished film gives Cardiff Council a versatile hero asset for digital marketing that makes the castle’s history feel immediate, approachable, and memorable. By combining authentic footage with motion design and character led storytelling, we helped the council communicate heritage in a way that encourages curiosity rather than overwhelming viewers with information. The piece also supports a wider visitor journey by framing the castle as something to explore in person, not just learn about online, and it provides a repeatable approach for future heritage content that needs to work for mixed audiences and modern attention spans.
Process
Process
Storyboarding
We took the photography from our initial site visit and wrote a detailed storyboard using our test illustrations. Once happy we used these for the location filming.
Character Development
The original illustrations whilst beautiful needed to be adapted for animation and to stand out against the live action footage.
Character Animation
We used a mixture of hand drawn overlays, rigged limbs and bespoke animations to bring the characters to life.
Storyboarding
We took the photography from our initial site visit and wrote a detailed storyboard using our test illustrations. Once happy we used these for the location filming.
Character Development
The original illustrations whilst beautiful needed to be adapted for animation and to stand out against the live action footage.
Character Animation
We used a mixture of hand drawn overlays, rigged limbs and bespoke animations to bring the characters to life.
Storyboarding
We took the photography from our initial site visit and wrote a detailed storyboard using our test illustrations. Once happy we used these for the location filming.
Character Development
The original illustrations whilst beautiful needed to be adapted for animation and to stand out against the live action footage.
Character Animation
We used a mixture of hand drawn overlays, rigged limbs and bespoke animations to bring the characters to life.
Storyboarding
We took the photography from our initial site visit and wrote a detailed storyboard using our test illustrations. Once happy we used these for the location filming.
Character Development
The original illustrations whilst beautiful needed to be adapted for animation and to stand out against the live action footage.
Character Animation
We used a mixture of hand drawn overlays, rigged limbs and bespoke animations to bring the characters to life.
Storyboarding
We took the photography from our initial site visit and wrote a detailed storyboard using our test illustrations. Once happy we used these for the location filming.
Character Development
The original illustrations whilst beautiful needed to be adapted for animation and to stand out against the live action footage.
Character Animation
We used a mixture of hand drawn overlays, rigged limbs and bespoke animations to bring the characters to life.
Storyboarding
We took the photography from our initial site visit and wrote a detailed storyboard using our test illustrations. Once happy we used these for the location filming.
Character Development
The original illustrations whilst beautiful needed to be adapted for animation and to stand out against the live action footage.
Character Animation
We used a mixture of hand drawn overlays, rigged limbs and bespoke animations to bring the characters to life.
Storyboarding
We took the photography from our initial site visit and wrote a detailed storyboard using our test illustrations. Once happy we used these for the location filming.
Character Development
The original illustrations whilst beautiful needed to be adapted for animation and to stand out against the live action footage.
Character Animation
We used a mixture of hand drawn overlays, rigged limbs and bespoke animations to bring the characters to life.
Storyboarding
We took the photography from our initial site visit and wrote a detailed storyboard using our test illustrations. Once happy we used these for the location filming.
Character Development
The original illustrations whilst beautiful needed to be adapted for animation and to stand out against the live action footage.
Character Animation
We used a mixture of hand drawn overlays, rigged limbs and bespoke animations to bring the characters to life.
Storyboarding
We took the photography from our initial site visit and wrote a detailed storyboard using our test illustrations. Once happy we used these for the location filming.
Character Development
The original illustrations whilst beautiful needed to be adapted for animation and to stand out against the live action footage.
Character Animation
We used a mixture of hand drawn overlays, rigged limbs and bespoke animations to bring the characters to life.
Storyboarding
We took the photography from our initial site visit and wrote a detailed storyboard using our test illustrations. Once happy we used these for the location filming.
Character Development
The original illustrations whilst beautiful needed to be adapted for animation and to stand out against the live action footage.
Character Animation
We used a mixture of hand drawn overlays, rigged limbs and bespoke animations to bring the characters to life.
Storyboarding
We took the photography from our initial site visit and wrote a detailed storyboard using our test illustrations. Once happy we used these for the location filming.
Character Development
The original illustrations whilst beautiful needed to be adapted for animation and to stand out against the live action footage.
Character Animation
We used a mixture of hand drawn overlays, rigged limbs and bespoke animations to bring the characters to life.
Storyboarding
We took the photography from our initial site visit and wrote a detailed storyboard using our test illustrations. Once happy we used these for the location filming.
Character Development
The original illustrations whilst beautiful needed to be adapted for animation and to stand out against the live action footage.
Character Animation
We used a mixture of hand drawn overlays, rigged limbs and bespoke animations to bring the characters to life.
Everything started with the ticket motif and the question of how to make time travel feel effortless. We explored story beats and visual transitions that could move the viewer through eras without relying on spoken explanation, then shaped the pacing around moments of discovery so it stayed engaging for children while still rewarding adults. Early development focused on character design that felt charming and human, but still respectful of historical context, with silhouettes, costumes, and details tuned so each era reads instantly on screen.
Creative Development & Planning
To bring this idea to life, we used a mix of high-quality live-action footage and well-made animated motion graphics.
The Celtic Girl and the Ticket
The video starts with a young Celtic girl finding a strange ticket. This begins her journey through time. This motif serves as a thread connecting various historical eras within Cardiff Castle’s storied past.
A Journey Through Time
As the ticket floats through the ages, viewers encounter animated representations of key historical periods. The designers carefully crafted each character to reflect the era authentically while maintaining a whimsical charm.
Dynamic Typography
Animated text appeared dynamically, providing historical insights as the ticket traversed through different periods. This approach not only informed but also engaged the audience with relevant information.
Final Reveal
The video ends with a strong image of the ticket filling the screen. It invites viewers to explore Cardiff Castle’s history in person.
Creative Development & Planning
To bring this idea to life, we used a mix of high-quality live-action footage and well-made animated motion graphics.
The Celtic Girl and the Ticket
The video starts with a young Celtic girl finding a strange ticket. This begins her journey through time. This motif serves as a thread connecting various historical eras within Cardiff Castle’s storied past.
A Journey Through Time
As the ticket floats through the ages, viewers encounter animated representations of key historical periods. The designers carefully crafted each character to reflect the era authentically while maintaining a whimsical charm.
Dynamic Typography
Animated text appeared dynamically, providing historical insights as the ticket traversed through different periods. This approach not only informed but also engaged the audience with relevant information.
Final Reveal
The video ends with a strong image of the ticket filling the screen. It invites viewers to explore Cardiff Castle’s history in person.
As the animation evolved, we refined the visual tone so the characters sat comfortably inside the live action world. That meant careful compositing, motion tracking, and texture work so nothing felt pasted on, plus extra hand drawn touches in expressions and movement to keep performances lively. Feedback and testing helped us tighten transitions, clarify the story flow, and integrate typography as part of the motion design language rather than an overlay, resulting in a confident, cohesive piece that uses craft and storytelling to make heritage feel exciting.
Creative Development & Planning
To bring this idea to life, we used a mix of high-quality live-action footage and well-made animated motion graphics.
The Celtic Girl and the Ticket
The video starts with a young Celtic girl finding a strange ticket. This begins her journey through time. This motif serves as a thread connecting various historical eras within Cardiff Castle’s storied past.
A Journey Through Time
As the ticket floats through the ages, viewers encounter animated representations of key historical periods. The designers carefully crafted each character to reflect the era authentically while maintaining a whimsical charm.
Dynamic Typography
Animated text appeared dynamically, providing historical insights as the ticket traversed through different periods. This approach not only informed but also engaged the audience with relevant information.
Final Reveal
The video ends with a strong image of the ticket filling the screen. It invites viewers to explore Cardiff Castle’s history in person.
Creative Development & Planning
To bring this idea to life, we used a mix of high-quality live-action footage and well-made animated motion graphics.
The Celtic Girl and the Ticket
The video starts with a young Celtic girl finding a strange ticket. This begins her journey through time. This motif serves as a thread connecting various historical eras within Cardiff Castle’s storied past.
A Journey Through Time
As the ticket floats through the ages, viewers encounter animated representations of key historical periods. The designers carefully crafted each character to reflect the era authentically while maintaining a whimsical charm.
Dynamic Typography
Animated text appeared dynamically, providing historical insights as the ticket traversed through different periods. This approach not only informed but also engaged the audience with relevant information.
Final Reveal
The video ends with a strong image of the ticket filling the screen. It invites viewers to explore Cardiff Castle’s history in person.
Tell us about your project
Tell us about your project
Tell us about your project
Back to top