All of the flora, fauna and textile patterns shown in the animated video are based on images we captured and photographed in Bukavu, the village in the Democratic Republic of Congo where Neema’s center is located. The fonts were based on the barber shop signage in the village.

We utilized a combination of cel and 3D animation, leveraging hand drawn illustrations and fonts by an illustrator (based in Brighton, UK) and having a separate animation partner (located across the world in Los Angeles) bring them to life. Our team often drew frames by hand, emphasizing sequences that were meant to embody realistic human movement and were important for us to capture accurately to resonate with audiences and feel connected to Neema’s story. We felt that animation could bring the optimism, momentum, and beauty of Neema’s community to life in surprising and engaging ways, despite the challenges and hardships they endure. All of the colours, patterns, and fonts were based on actual signage and fabrics that we had photographed in Neema’s village. Neema’s voice and story was so powerful that we wanted the visual references to serve her vision - rather than compete with it.