A mixed-media approach brings SEED-FD to life: visible, understandable, and memorable.
Challenge
Turning advanced forecasting tools into accessible narratives is no simple task. SEED-FD develops scientific solutions to improve early warnings for floods and droughts, using hydrological modelling, Earth observation data, AI, and data assimilation. The project’s impact is real, but the concepts behind it are highly technical and often abstract.
The objective was to create a series of videos that could explain the project’s work and relevance to non-experts. There was no predefined script or format. What existed was a need to communicate complexity with clarity, without oversimplifying. The content had to be structured from the ground up, making room for accuracy, accessibility, and visual engagement.
Idea, solution
The final concept took shape as a four-part video series designed to build a layered understanding. The first episode offers an overview of the project, while the following three dive into forecasting innovations, hydrological model improvements, and the integration of satellite and ground-based data.
To support this structure, a mixed-media approach was developed combining filmed interviews, motion graphics, and curated stock footage. The interviews provided authentic voices and insights. The animations made invisible processes visible. And the rhythm between the elements allowed each video to flow naturally, even when the subjects became highly technical.
Much of the work happened before a single frame was recorded. Questions were shaped to guide interviewees toward clear, usable responses that aligned with each video’s focus. Topics were mapped in advance. During editing, transcription tools were used to streamline selection and maintain consistency across the series. Visual elements were built in parallel, helping translate abstract ideas like model calibration or groundwater behaviour into accessible, coherent visuals.
This approach made space for complexity without losing the audience. The result is a set of videos that informs, engages, and supports deeper understanding.scientific ambition and social relevance.
Result
The series has since become an integral part of SEED-FD’s communication toolkit. It is featured on the project website and on YouTube and continues to be used in presentations, events, and stakeholder dialogues.
Each video stands on its own, but together they form a structured narrative that makes the science behind SEED-FD not only visible but meaningful. The combination of clear structure, visual storytelling, and technical integrity helped shape a product that reflects the ambition and depth of the project it represents.