Gewasbeschermer Gilles

Animated explainer for VLAM

Explaining sustainable farming practices like Integrated Pest Management (IPM) isn’t always easy especially when you want to reach a broad audience. For VLAM’s “Helden van onze Velden” ("Heroes of Our Fields") campaign, we set out to make this technical topic both accessible and enjoyable. The result: a comic-style explainer animation starring Gilles, the friendly Crop Protector.

I was responsible for the character design and illustration. From early sketches to the final digital version, I brought Gilles to life, not as a superhero, but as a relatable, down-to-earth farmer with warmth, curiosity, and a practical mindset. The goal was to strike the right tone: playful, informative, and human.

Working closely with our in-house motion designer, we transformed the static illustrations into a lively and layered animation. We used bold colors, clean visual storytelling, and subtle movement to make the explainer both visually rich and easy to follow. I illustrated each scene and background with care, ensuring flexibility in animation while keeping everything cohesive in tone and style.

Gilles guides viewers through IPM step by step: from choosing strong crops and using smart tech, to inviting ladybugs into the field or using UV-C robots always prioritizing natural solutions first.

This was a rewarding project where I could fully dive into character design and visual storytelling, and where collaboration really made the difference. Together, we turned a complex message into a fun, clear and charming piece, one that made IPM feel personal and tangible for a wide audience.