Hackney-based Kong Studio releases sweet animation to promote postal service

The season is filled with Christmas cards and gift-giving, which is why this new campaign created by London-based Kong Studio, based in Hackney, is nostalgically timely. The animated gifs promote the Post Office's Send service, which allows for the important mailing of the festive post.

Conceived by Flare through AMVBBDO, who brought Kong Studio on board to create the designs, each frame was stitched together to create a wider digital campaign.

Flare's producer Jo Rae decided to reach out to Kong Studio because of their simplistic yet expressive style – which she felt would work well for the Royal Mail project.

Using the Post Office's signature pillar box red as the gif background, a number of chaotic scenes play out – before assuring posters that they will have nothing to worry about with their post getting to loved ones on time; that they can rely on the service.

"Royal Mail has an impressively clear and fun style guide for any illustration commission," said Bill Elliott, co-founder of Kong Studio. "The challenge was to slot into this with design work that felt new and original, yet in keeping with the brand. It's also always nice to create work with a little festive cheer!"

Elliott commissioned concept artist and illustrator Javier Castillo to design each festive scene with the help of fellow illustrator and animator Sebastiano Fossali. And the project was turned around quickly with time to be rolled out for Christmas – thanks to additional help from animator Mick Lawrence.

"Kong Studio was great on our recent Royal Mail campaign," said Veronica Saez, head of production at Flare and AMVBBDO. "Its team has produced a charming set of illustrations and animations for use across social, out-of-home, and digital display assets. They have added some Christmas cheer and a playful application of the new Royal Mail brand toolkit. Kong Studio has been a pleasure to partner with."