Thomas’ Multiple Myeloma Story
Patient Story Animation for a Nonprofit Cancer Organization
In collaboration with Diverse Health Hub, a nonprofit focused on reducing health disparities, we created an animation and handout depicting a patient’s experience with multiple myeloma.
The animation raises awareness about multiple myeloma, a rare cancer disproportionately affecting Black people, and the importance of diversity in clinical trials.
Using Thomas’ own voice, we illustrated his likeness and highlighted his powerful words in an uplifting and dignified manner.
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Diverse Health Hub for a non-profit cancer organization
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Natividad Chen - Art Director & Animator
Patricia Nguyen - Illustrator -
Patients with Multiple Myeloma and their loved ones, General public
Our Approach
Designing for Low Numeracy
To help foster understanding of the multiple myeloma statistic, we depicted the numerical information using person-like icons arranged in distinct groups. Research has shown that simple visual aids showing frequencies rather than fractions or percentages improves accuracy of understanding.
Our Process
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![Manifest Moodboard. A collage of reference images showing surreal and figurative imagery.]()
Step 1: Script
The script was written in first-person voice, so that the story is told from the point of view of the cancer patient himself.
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![Patient Profile Storyboard. A sequence of pencil storyboard panels first introducing Thomas's face, then shooting hoops then having pain in his scapula which is the trigger event for him finding out about his diagnosis.]()
Step 2: Storyboard
Once the script is final, we drew storyboards for the animation, a series of sketches depicting the action, composition and narration of each scene.
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![Patient Profile Animatic. A GIF of lightning bolts surrounding Thomas Goode, representing his back pain. The style has a coloured pencil hand drawn feel. The background is light blue, thomas is wearing a grey shirt and blue shorts.]()
Step 3: Illustrations and Animation
We illustrated the visual assets and animated them to the voiceover and music track. Then, we exported the animation as a high resolution video file read to upload and share.
