The National Gallery approached Sentio Space to create a series of animations that represent the 14 key projects that make up NG200 – a celebration in 2024 of the Gallery’s bicentenary. The animations will be used to announce the Gallery’s plans for NG200, and needed to represent the National Gallery’s purpose of bringing people and paintings together.
We produced one scripted animation explaining NG200 (watch above), alongside fourteen short and sweet two second looping gifs.
As the purpose of the animations was to illustrate future plans for 2024, for which we didn’t yet have any real-world imagery, we decided to use a mixed media approach, combining photographic imagery of art works and the gallery itself with illustration to fill in the blanks.
Inspired by Picasso’s elegant and simplified line drawings, we created a series of playful and humorous animations, in which the simple black on white line work allows the contrasting photographic images to pop.
Each frame for the loops were hand drawn by the artists Max Golding Wilkens, Noah Mauchly and Tom Bates, giving the animations a hand-crafted and personable feel. Studio Desk expertly animated the explainer video. And the visual style was created and directed by Angelica Lena.
The simple nature of the linework allows the imagination to fill in the gaps – perfect for a a project about future plans, for an organisation who hold “imagination” as one of their key values.
The animations effectively communicate in a visually enjoyable and ingenious way the National Gallery’s plans for their bicentenary year, including travelling shows, events in Trafalgar Square to create a flourishing of creativity outside the gallery walls, VR experiences to enhance interaction with the work, and the unveiling of improvements to the gallery buildings.
Client | The National Gallery
Angelica Lena | Director
Studio Desk | 2D Animation
Martha Halliday | 2D Animation
Max Golding Wilkens | 2D Animation
Noah Mauchly | 2D Animation
Tom Bates | 2D Animation
We have worked with some of the most prestigious galleries in the world. The commissions have ranged from animated trailers for exhibitions, educational content for online audiences, artistic explainer videos, as well as animated installations for exhibitions.
Exhibition trailer for the National Gallery's Autumn blockbuster
Go to storyCreating an animation and fourteen short gifs to mark the National Gallery's bicentenary
Go to storyIntroducing an online audience to Leonardo Da Vinci
Go to storyThe first time Tate Britain uses animation to tell stories about artists in its collection.
Go to storyAnimated educational installation for a major exhibition
Go to storySentio Space helps organisations in the knowledge space communicate abstract ideas in a way that resonates with a broad and inclusive audience, by helping them to create multimedia content, including animations, podcasts, and films. Whatever is needed for your project, we are here to help you through the process, from developing the idea to delivering the final files.
Filming a special Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral
Go to ProjectAn animated trailer for the Tate's blockbuster 2024 exhibition
Go to ProjectA snappy survey of the intricate processes that combine to bring medicine into our lives
Go to ProjectExploring a new platform to enable Safeguarding professionals to connect online
Go to ProjectA sensitive look at a new digital network that connects midwives across the country
Go to ProjectA fascinating look at the 500 year history of one of the oldest Livery Companies of London
Go to ProjectSharing the benefits of a voluntary carbon market with integrity
Go to ProjectEncouraging students to attend the one year MBA
Go to ProjectExplaining how biofuel is offering an alternative to ethanol
Go to ProjectAttracting an online audience with work inspired by Bonnard
Go to ProjectVisual essay for Alain de Botton's School of Life
Go to ProjectExhibition trailer for the National Gallery's Autumn blockbuster
Go to ProjectAnimated documentary for the BBC Ideas educational platform
Go to ProjectExplaining the philosophy behind an alternative approach to education
Go to ProjectThe first time Tate Britain uses animation to tell stories about artists in its collection
Go to ProjectAnimated educational installation for a major exhibition
Go to ProjectIntroducing an online audience to Leonardo Da Vinci
Go to ProjectAnimated video update shared with alumni around the world
Go to ProjectA short story about the impact of a scholarship on students at Surrey University
Go to ProjectWe created five animations to explain how 2Simple operates
Go to Project