Imagine Kalamazoo animation header

An Animated Journey through Imagine Kalamazoo 2025


Kalamazoo. A city that dares to dream, where every citizen's voice is heard and their dreams brought to life. This is a story of ambition and community, where one woman's vision of starting a new business is nurtured and realized with the help of the city's unique initiative, IK2025. Join us as we delve into the heart of Kalamazoo, a city that dares to imagine and create a more prosperous future for all.

The Video

This animation is absolutely terrific. We’re very excited about using this as a model for more future animations.


Steven Brown | Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence

Objective

Our mission is to spark a revolution in how we view city ordinances. We’re turning dry, bureaucratic information into an animated tale of dreams and determination. Our protagonist, gazing out at Kalamazoo, is ready to take on the world, backed by the city itself. Through our storyboard, we’ve charted her journey from vision to reality, breaking down the barriers of mundane regulations. We aim to strike a chord, to stir emotions, to show that these rules aren’t just laws – they’re the stepping stones to a thriving future. This isn’t just about animation, it’s about capturing the heartbeat of Kalamazoo, and inspiring the dreamers within us all.

The Vision

From Concept to Reality

Director Cassidy Bisher aimed to transform city ordinances into a compelling narrative, using an art style that stirs childhood nostalgia. This wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was strategic, aiming to connect the audience emotionally to the complex world of city government.
At DropDrop, we believe in the power of emotional storytelling. Hence, we prioritized emotion over facts. But to truly bring this vision to life, we needed a master of motion graphics – Justin Lemmon.
Justin’s expertise was instrumental in creating our protagonist, a relatable guide through the maze of city government. His work not only made the story comprehensible but also inspiring. More on this in the next section…

The Protagonist

The Determined and Visionary, Aaliyah

Aaliyah is a vibrant spirit with a dream as big as her heart. She’s a chef by profession, but not just any chef; she’s a culinary artist with an entrepreneurial spirit, ready to leave her mark on the world, one dish at a time.
Kalamazoo, with its thriving community and forward-thinking housing strategy, is the perfect canvas for her dreams. It’s a city that nurtures seeds of ambition into fully-grown realities, a place where Aaliyah can take that daring leap to start her own restaurant.
Despite the daily hustle of being a single mother, Aaliyah is an active member of her community. She attends city meetings regularly, voicing her opinions and making sure she contributes to the growth of her beloved city. Her child, her community, and her dream – these are the ingredients of Aaliyah’s life. And she’s ready to mix them together to create a recipe for success.

Kalamazoo

A City of Opportunity

Kalamazoo isn’t just a city; it’s the lifeblood of ambition. Its affordable housing strategy is a launchpad for dreamers like Aaliyah, offering a chance to chase big dreams without fear of financial fallout. Kalamazoo is a community hub, an arena for dialogue and unity. But most importantly, it’s Aaliyah’s stage, a culinary battleground where she’s ready to serve her dream – one dish at a time.

 

Working with Dropdrop to create the Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 animation was a very rewarding process! We crafted a style that balanced simplicity with a touch of texture, creating a handmade and painterly feel. This art style worked well with the story being told, and seeing it come to life with sound design and narration was awesome to see!


Justin Lemmon | Design & Animation

Storyboards

Progress in Motion

Crafting the sleek, creative transitions that bring Kalamazoo’s transformation to life wasn’t a walk in the park. It required meticulous storyboarding and careful character development. These transitions aren’t just a visual treat; they are the rhythmic pulse of a city on the move, a testament to our attention to detail and dedication to telling an integrated story of progress.
In Aaliyah’s narrative, these fluid scene changes mirror her own journey, harmoniously intertwined with the city’s evolution. As Kalamazoo shifts, so does she, with every ordinance update, affordable home strategy, and local business outreach acting as stepping stones towards her success.
These transitions aren’t just for show – they’re narrative threads, meticulously woven during the storyboard process, tying together Aaliyah’s dream with Kalamazoo’s metamorphosis. They serve as a powerful reminder that individual pursuits and communal progress are two halves of the same whole. Each scene shift is a collective stride towards a brighter, fairer future.

How did we achieve this?

It’s all in the heartfelt, detailed sketches that were our starting point. These initial drafts served as our guide, enabling us to thoughtfully craft an authentic and empathetic portrayal of Kalamazoo’s evolution. It’s artistic, it’s human, and it’s undeniably Kalamazoo – brought to life with refined cartoon accents that provide a distinct style, amplifying the city’s spirit and its people’s resilience.

 

Director's Note

Hey there,

When we first got our hands on the script for the Kalamazoo project, we knew we were onto something special. It wasn’t just a collection of words; it was a story waiting to be told. Here at DropDrop, we’re not just about creating videos. We’re about weaving stories that captivate, resonate, and leave a lasting impact.

Working with Justin Lemmon on this project was an absolute blast. His creative spark and dedication brought an extra dimension to our narrative, helping us create a world that viewers could really dive into.

Our DropDrop ethos is simple: every frame tells a story, every story leaves a mark, every mark causes a ripple. And it’s not just about making waves, but about creating transformational ripples in the industry. Based right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we aim to stand out in all we do.

The Kalamazoo project was a chance for us to put our beliefs into action. We pulled out all the stops, using our skills in video production, motion graphics, and immersive content to bring the story to life. But more than that, we wanted to create a narrative that would touch people, challenge their views, and inspire change.

We believe that stories are about principles, not rules. That’s why we took the audience on a journey of discovery with the Kalamazoo project, exploring internal landscapes and sparking a shift in perspective. The protagonist’s evolution from holding a false belief through revelation and awakening to finally answering the call to action reflects the transformative journey we want to take our viewers on.

Looking back, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved with the Kalamazoo project. It’s more than just a video; it’s a story that invites viewers to see the world through a new lens. And we can’t wait for you to see it.

Cassidy Bisher // Director // Sound Designer

 

Ripple Effect

Ready to create waves with an animation that tells your story and leaves a lasting mark? Reach out to us at DropDrop and let’s bring your brand to life.