Usher Institute

Disease Prevention

Communicating the Impact of Unhealthy Products on Public Health

Spectrum is a research consortium led by the Usher Institute at the University of Edinburgh. It studies how products like tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food contribute to preventable diseases and health inequalities. The Usher Institute asked us to create an animation to clearly explain Spectrum’s research and raise public awareness. The aim was to communicate key findings in an accessible, engaging way—highlighting the impact of unhealthy products on public health and the importance of evidence-based prevention strategies for communities.

A child holds an apple while shopping with an adult at a grocery store counter, with fresh produce displayed and a closed tobacco cabinet in the background.
Two people are having a conversation, with thought bubbles showing images of cigarettes and fast food, representing a discussion about unhealthy lifestyle choices.
A color-coded map showing areas with low, medium, and high health risks based on location, highlighting disparities in urban health outcomes.

Raising Awareness with Animation

We created a character-led animation to help the Usher Institute communicate Spectrum’s public health research in an engaging, accessible way. Each scene was carefully designed to support the voice-over and clearly illustrate key findings. The animation highlights how products like alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy foods contribute to preventable diseases and health inequalities. By combining simple visuals with clear messaging, the animation serves as an effective educational tool to raise awareness and support behaviour change across communities and decision-making audiences.

A person stands in front of multiple glowing screens displaying tempting food and drink ads, including burgers, pizza, soda, ice cream, and promotional offers like
Illustration of a hand holding a doughnut box labeled “20% less fat,” highlighting health-related marketing claims on food packaging.