As part of the ERC-funded project Beauty & Inequality, led by Giselinde Kuipers, we recently organized a creative brainstorming workshop to initiate the project’s animation-based dissemination activities and explore new visual approaches to communicating research on beauty and inequality.
The workshop brought together researchers and artists working across animation, storytelling, and visual design. We were delighted to welcome Hajar Mehrani, a 2D animation artist working in directing and storyboarding, and Morteza Naeiji, a graphic and character designer focused on visual storytelling. Their expertise offered valuable insights into how complex social questions can be translated into engaging visual narratives.
The session included screenings and discussions of selected films, a practical introduction to character design and storyboarding, and a collaborative brainstorming activity aimed at developing initial ideas for future animations. Participants reflected on themes such as beauty, identity, bodies and inequality, while exploring the potential of animation as a creative and accessible medium for research dissemination.
The workshop created an open and inspiring environment for discussion, experimentation, and exchange, encouraging participants to think collectively about new ways of making academic research visible beyond traditional formats.
We thank everyone who participated in and contributed to this thoughtful and engaging workshop, and we look forward to developing these ideas further into meaningful and creative animation projects.