Illustration, Character Design, Motion Graphics, Storytelling
AQS
A Motion Comic Made in Service of Social Change
About This Project
AQS is my capstone project from IVS, a motion comic and film direction piece that uses sequential art and visual storytelling to create social commentary on Pakistan's water crisis. The story follows Shahmir, a man grappling with the loss of biodiversity in a world where the spirits of nature have turned against mankind.
Year
December 2020
Storyteller, Illustrator, Motion Designer
Role
Tools
Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate
The Challenge
The biggest challenge was grounding a high-concept, speculative narrative in reality, which meant conducting extensive research into the water crisis in Balochistan. As a designer from Pakistan, this was deeply personal. I wanted to advocate for a story that rarely gets told, and do it justice.
The Solution
I used the motion comic format to blend illustration, film direction, and systematic design research into a single piece. Data from sources like the UNDP anchored the narrative in fact, while the visual storytelling made it emotionally immediate. The goal was to make something that felt both researched and felt.
The Outcome
A capstone project that demonstrates the ability to use motion graphics and film direction alongside design research to shift perspective and create something socially aware, proof that design can be advocacy.
Logo Process & Options
The logo had to incorporate a local touch, so I experimented with Urdu type and various shapes to create a design that would resonate with the narrative of the project. The goal was to ensure the logo reflected both the cultural significance and the environmental themes central to the story.
Logo Grid
The logo design primarily relies on circles to represent both the water cycle and the broader cycle of life. The word "Aqs" stands for reflection, further reinforcing the water theme and its significance in the design.
