Permanent Collection

AIM Creative Adds Fuel to UBC’s Biotech Boom

Posted on Sunday, September 27, 2026

Following up on their launch film for the University of British Columbia’s Push Forward campaign, AIM Creative re-teams with agency ONE23WEST to showcase the school’s innovations at the forefront of biotech.

Tiago Ribeiro, producer at AIM Creative: The brief called for a sophisticated visual language that could bridge the gap between complex laboratory research and real-world impact, demonstrating how pioneering science can lead to life-saving medical breakthroughs and transformative commercial ventures.

“With dense visual metaphors and multiple layers of information, there was no room for wasted frames; every shot had to communicate clearly while feeling fluid and visually engaging.”

Given the concise 30-second runtime, the clients’ exacting specifications and the high level of detail made production particularly challenging. With dense visual metaphors and multiple layers of information, there was no room for wasted frames; every shot had to communicate clearly while feeling fluid and visually engaging.

To achieve this, we developed a hybrid animation pipeline combining traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation with 2D and 3D motion elements. This approach enabled us to maintain a rich, handcrafted aesthetic while adding depth, spatial transitions and sleek camera movements.

A scientist in a white coat studies a flask, surrounded by large abstract blue and pink cell-like shapes and colorful rings on a pastel background, evoking the innovative spirit of biotech research. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

An illustration of a woman in a lab coat holding a petri dish, viewed in profile. She has long, light hair and wears glasses, with abstract shapes in the background suggesting a biotech or laboratory setting, reflecting the innovative spirit of AIM Creative at UBC. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Colorful illustration of futuristic city sectors with modern buildings, trees, and roads, separated by transparent domes and connected by paths on an abstract landscape—perfectly capturing the innovative spirit featured in the UBC Biotech Boom video by AIM Creative. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Two scientists in lab coats stand together, one raising a paintbrush toward abstract shapes in a colorful, swirling background, suggesting creativity and scientific exploration at UBC’s vibrant biotech labs and inspired by the innovative spirit of AIM Creative. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A doctor stands beside a patient lying in a hospital bed, with abstract colorful shapes and a large hand in the background, suggesting care and support—reflecting the innovative spirit of UBC’s biotech initiatives and the creativity of AIM Creative. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Client: University of British Columbia

Agency: ONE23WEST

Production: AIM Creative Studios
Director: Christoph Sarow
EP: Jonas César
Producer: Tiago Ribeiro
Animation Supervisor: Daniela Carvalho
Art Director/Illustrator: Claudio Marinkovic, Felipe Fiori
Animation Director: Christoph Sarow
Animator: Ana Iutes, Alexandre Sousa, Daniel Roque, José Teixeira
Lead Motion Designer/Compositor: Nuno Gonçalves
Compositor/Additional Motion Design: André Cunha
3D Modeler/Motion VFX: Nuno Gonçalves, José Teixeira

Stephen Price

Stephen is the co-founder/CD of Stash Media Inc. and the executive editor of Stash Magazine and the Stash Permanent Collection.
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Category: Animation, Brand film, Featured, Illustration, Motion Design · Tags: AIM Studios, Christoph Sarow, ONE23WEST, University of British Columbia