The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPI) approached us to create an explainer video of the Marine Estate Management Strategy (MEMS) and we were up to the challenge.

Explaining a strategy that spans the entire NSW coastline, with more than 80 projects, and multiple stakeholder groups is no small task. The solution needed to show extensive locations, diverse communities, and interconnected ideas without overwhelming the audience.

The Approach

Knuckles worked with DPI to develop a visual approach that could clearly communicate the scale and complexity of the Marine Estate Management Strategy.

We delivered end to end services, including:

• Script Refinement

• Visual Design compliant with the MEMS Style Guide

• Storyboarding and Pre-Visual Animatics

• 2D Animation

• Voice-Over Casting and Recording

• Sound Design

• Accessibility Elements such as Closed Captions.

This method enabled long-term thinking and interconnected ideas to be communicated visually, helping audiences understand both the scope of the marine estate and the intent behind the strategy.

Visual Style

The final video uses a hybrid visual approach, combining 2D Illustration with existing photography supplied by DPI. The custom illustration helped to clarify abstract concepts or highlight elements within an idea, while photography grounded the narrative in real places, people, and environments along the NSW coast.

Our designs followed the Marine Estate Management Strategy Style Guide, including select colour palette and specific design rules, ensuring consistency with the broader NSW Government visual branding, while still creating a piece that felt clear, engaging, and approachable.

The Result

The final animation provides a clear entry point into a complex government strategy. It supports DPI in communicating MEMS to a broad audience, from community members to industry and stakeholders, helping to build an understanding of how the NSW coastline is being managed now and into the future.