IWD21: 90 Illustrators, 1 Animation

The animation consists of 90 frames, each created by a different female illustrator, in their own unique and amazing style. The women who participated were from countries all over the world, including China, Egypt, the USA and Brazil. You can tell we took the 'International' in 'International Women's Day' seriously, huh?

#Choose To Challenge

The animation has been created in line with this year’s International Women’s Day campaign theme, #ChooseToChallenge. It features a woman holding up her hand, the gesture which has been chosen as a symbol of support to the cause this year.

The illustrations we got were staggering in their diversity of style and approach. Taking our rough animation of a woman holding up her hand in solidarity as their starting point, each illustrator added their own flavour and imbued their contribution with what International Women’s Day means to them.

“This project is a true celebration of women around the world coming together to create a powerful message for International Women’s Day. It’s been amazing to see the creativity of the individual frames, each with their own story, some of which have been truly heartwarming.” - Tas Lobley, Senior Creative at Waste

From an open question about ‘the disappearance of a staggering number of 5500 Peruvian women in 2020 alone’ from @santina.oz to a tribute to ‘women with a whole spectrum of battles that they tackle every single day’ from @paperandpixelsdesign (Gibraltar), every single illustration shines a light on a different facet of International Women’s Day, as experienced across the globe.

“I had the pleasure of talking to so many talented women, from Peru all the way to China. I actually got quite emotional reading about the meanings behind each of the illustrations and learning more about what it’s like to be a woman around the world.” - Amy Duncan, Digital Strategist at Waste

The illustrators

Here are the Instagram handles of every single one of our amazing 90 collaborating illustrators, in the order of their frame's appearance:

@notflipper, @freshira.designs, @jonvobi, @rachael.lum, @gordoilustra, @nora_kraska, @veilsandmirrors, @engueran_coeur_de_lion, @aiahhassan, @halfwaydrops, @iona_adair, @by.soleon, @johannakugler, @easyeasyrol, @sydhey, @ellie.childs_, @meganemrphy, @taomodraws, @laurablgz, @nathaliamilis, @swethakanithi.illustrator, @___marie___gosselin___, @flobll_illustration, @naomiseah, @sophiestanding_, @rosefur, @yazillustrations, @trxipxi, @marko_kawaii, @jennischurr, @mzkmel, @ruki_chuki, @pomallow, @maledelu, @casiegraphics, @tororo.aoi, @estherlalanne, @happyphili, @lydialott, @macha_mcp, @sketchupmayo, @imocrossland, @ameliedupetitthouars, @naygroves, @martynawilner, @theinfinitedrawing, @heatherfletcher.art, @carmenpatricia.design, @elena_bansh, @alanamcdowell, @_jessie_kuhn, @bobbythebigbird, @coco_meiller, @frazzledfoliage, @tatjanajunker, @swampsocial, @sandre_fait_des_trucs, @padaboooom, @emilywylde, @that_there_asha, @naiaitz, @cadarsinziana, @madebytania_, @becomingamorningperson, @human_nico, @fogg.ish, @hallojosy, @aaaaeeeb, @paperandpixelsdesign, @xsunsteethx, @roro_mawouane, @byrosielt_, @ricepeasant, @yool_n, @amy_fitz_art, @kateco__, @laura.snclr, @abbeyruletheworld, @inkling_illustrations_, @bobbywatson.art, @studio.lag, @foureyetwotit, @trangdrawsbangs, @claramariecornish, @dorothydotcool, @a_piece_of_triss, @santina.oz, @carol.rollo, @ellabucknall, @the_lost_artisttt

Our project made waves on social & in the press, gaining over 500 social shares and 11 pieces of coverage in:

Like what you see? Check out more of our animation studio This Thing of Ours' work on their Instagram account or website. P.S. - we won a D&AD Graphite Pencil for this project right here.