Where's the DASH!?! A Vibrant Animated Adventure Through the City.

Once upon a time, in the heart of a bustling city, there danced an animation full of life and color. It was no ordinary animation but a vibrant journey named "Find the DASH!" This playful adventure was born out of a collaboration between the imaginative scriptwriter Zac Page from Crystal Cranes Media and the creative illustrator Ryan Brady from DropDrop.

Project Objective

Picture this – a once static DASH bus route map, brilliantly designed by McKenna Bice, suddenly springs to life in a whirlwind of color and movement. This isn’t just a video spot; it’s an animated adventure! Our aim? To sprinkle a dash of excitement and a pinch of curiosity into your day.

Map Design by McKenna Bice

Find the Dash! Internet Spot

When I first saw McKenna Bice’s map illustration of the DASH bus route, I immediately thought of the fabulous adventures I used to take as a kid across the landscapes of “Where’s Waldo” and “I Spy” picture books. In that same spirit, the rhyme and rhythm of a Dr. Seuss chronicle felt like the right lyrical touch. The DASH is a character all it’s own and serves to energize Grand Rapidians to get out there, have fun and explore the city. To see the illustrations, animation, sound and color all come together in a 30 second burst of delight makes me feel like a kid again! How many DASH busses can you find?

Zac Page // Writer

Transforming DASH Service into a City-Wide Adventure

In this animated tale, Zac’s words came alive like magic. His script wasn’t just about conveying information about the DASH service; it was about creating an energetic and playful narrative that made the viewers feel like they were part of a city-wide adventure. The story began with a simple question, “Can you find the DASH?” and took the viewers on an exciting exploration of the city’s best spots.

Ryan Brady: Animating the City with DASH

Ryan Brady, the artist behind the visuals, painted a lively picture of the city with his hand-crafted animations and graphics. He used bright colors and dynamic movements to guide the viewers through the city’s events, eateries, and shopping spots, all accessible via the DASH bus-line. His creativity turned the journey into a fun-filled ride that viewers couldn’t resist.

Creating the visuals for DASH was like painting a love letter to our city. There’s so much to do downtown and plenty to eat, drink and see. Luckily there’s free transportation that gets you to where you need to be. I wanted to express my grattitude for these buses by creating a high energy spotlight on all it has to offer. Collaborating with DASH map illustrator McKenna Bice helped set the carefree tone and unique style that reflects this city as a whole.

Ryan Brady // Illustrator // Motion Graphic Designer

DASH: The Unsung Hero

The hero of our story, the DASH–an acronym for Downtown Area Shuttle–stood tall and proud, living up to its tagline: “Free, Fast, and Frequent bus service.” It was a beacon of convenience and cost-effectiveness amidst the city’s hustle and bustle, offering an accessible mode of transport to one and all.

As a voice-actor, these are my favorite projects to work on. A project that allows me creative freedom and the ability to be myself. Performance wise, I had to slightly adjust my voice to mirror the vibrant energy of the visuals and the playful script. The goal was to to maintain a fun, lively tone throughout, effectively capturing the adventurous spirit of the DASH bus-line service. I hope you enjoyed it.

Lisa Arscott // Voice over Artist

A Nostalgic Journey

As we traveled through the city with the DASH, Cassidy Bisher, the wizard of color grading and sound effects, waved his wand. He gave the animation a vintage film look using grain and halation, adding a layer of nostalgia to the experience and enhancing viewer engagement.

With plugins FILMBOX and SCATTER, I sculpted a digital reality into a nostalgic echo of vintage film. It’s more than grain and halation—it’s about painting with light and color to stir memories and captivate.

Cassidy Bisher // Color Grade // Sound Design

Crafting 'Find the DASH'

“Find the DASH!” was more than just an animation; it was a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity. Zac Page, Ryan Brady, Cassidy Bisher, and the entire team at DropDrop wove together a tale that informed, engaged, and inspired.
It was a story told through engaging storytelling, lively animation, and meticulously crafted graphics, all aimed at promoting the DASH bus-line service. And so, they continued to create…

ready for their next adventure.

Stills from the spot

Captivated by the magic of 'Find the DASH!'?

That’s the power of inspired storytelling and creative collaboration at work. If you’re looking for a similar piece to breathe life into your brand, our team at DropDrop is ready to embark on this creative journey with you. Don’t just tell your audience about your services – take them on an unforgettable adventure. Reach out to us and let’s start crafting your story today.