Unifor 2002

Instructional Animated Video,
Bilingual Content

Unifor 2002 and Canadian Benefits Consulting Group (CBCG) partnered to support union members with clear, accessible information about their health coverage. One important need stood out: helping members confidently navigate the process of filling out their GIDIP claim forms.

To bring that vision to life, I was brought in to create a friendly, step-by-step animated explainer video in both English and French. The goal? Reduce confusion, build trust, and make an intimidating form feel a little more human – all while staying true to Unifor’s brand and values.

The

Ask

This project began with a need voiced by Unifor 2002: members were frequently reaching out with questions about how to fill out their GIDIP claim forms properly – and sometimes wondering why their submissions were delayed. It became clear that the problem wasn’t just about understanding the form – it was also about when and how to complete it correctly and accurately.

Based on an early conversation with a Unifor board member, I developed a draft storyboard that outlined a potential animated video to walk members through each section of the form clearly and calmly. From that initial pitch, the project evolved into a more collaborative process where Unifor 2002 board members and I refined the content together to ensure it was both informative and easy to digest.

The final video needed to:

Match the structure of the actual PDF claim form so viewers can easily follow along
Use short, minimal on-screen text and motion graphics, with voice over
Include an animated intro featuring both Unifor and Canadian Benifits logos
Add subtle animations like email callouts and a "Sent" button to reinforce key actions
Stay under 2 minutes to keep it concise and user-friendly (final runtime: 1:45)
Be uploaded to YouTube with built-in chapter markers so viewers could skip directly to the step they needed help with
Be produced in both English and French to ensure accessibility for all members

The tone needed to feel calm, supportive, and clear, recognizing that people are often filling out these forms during difficult, stressful times. The goal wasn’t just clarity, it was confidence.

The
Process

This project was a blend of visual storytelling and close collaboration across multiple meetings. Here's how it was brought all together:

Discovery & Pre-Production

Our early conversations helped clarify the needs of the audience: everyday people filling out insurance forms during tough moments. I researched similar explainer formats, drafted a script, and created a detailed visual storyboard that mapped out each step of the claim form process.

The storyboard was designed to align closely with the PDF version of the actual GIDIP form, ensuring each animated scene directly reflected what viewers would see when filling out the document themselves.

I presented style frames to give the board members an early preview of the visual tone and direction. These included font choices, animation examples, and illustrations to ensure we struck the right balance between professional and welcoming.

Unifor 2002 - Storyboard Poster Mokcup_edited.jpg

Animation & Production

Once the storyboard was approved, I moved into animation using Adobe After Effects. The first proof version followed the proposed flow and included placeholder options for either voiceover or text-only narration.

After reviewing proofs 1 and 2, the board members opted to move forward with just on-screen animated text (no voiceover) as the visuals and timing felt clear and effective on their own.

From there, we continued refining. Proof round 3 focused on adding additional animations like fine-tuning the title and transitions and preparing a claim form submission email, then “Sent” animation and sound effects.

The final video length was 1 minute and 45 seconds, intentionally kept short and digestible. Each section is aligned with a chapter marker to allow for easy navigation on YouTube, especially helpful for viewers who need help with just one step or section.

Tools & Techniques

Adobe Illustrator:
custom illustrations

Adobe After Effects: animation & motion graphics

Royalty-free music for polish and tone

Bilingual formatting for
side-by-side French and English deliverables

The Results

The final deliverables included two polished explainer videos (English + French), each running 1 minute and 45 seconds. They feature clean motion graphics, real form visuals, and chaptered segments designed to guide viewers step-by-step.
The feedback from Unifor 2002 board members was enthusiastic and optimistic, and they were especially curious to see how union members would engage with the video.

While the project timeline included long stretches between meetings, we were able to collaborate effectively as a team, staying aligned through each proof stage and making purposeful refinements.

The videos are now available online and are actively being used as a go-to educational tool for union members. This project was a great example of simplifying complex content through thoughtful design and turning a technical task into a more empowering experience.