The Brief Working in teams of four, we were given the task of designing and producing a 60-second motion graphic video on a topic of our choice. My team and I chose to focus on student loneliness, a subject we felt is too often overlooked and not spoken about enough.

The Challenge

Loneliness among students has reached crisis levels, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. Many students experience deep isolation despite being surrounded by peers, creating a silent epidemic that urgently needs attention. To better understand the issue, I spoke with friends and family members who had attended university away from home. The majority shared that they felt isolated and alone for a significant portion of their time there. The widespread expectation that university should be the best years of your life can be damaging,while it is an incredible experience and a privilege, it is also a significant life transition that comes with very real emotional challenges.

The Process

Drawing on resources such as Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and the #LonelyNotAlone campaign, we identified a range of coping strategies to help reduce feelings of loneliness. A key message we wanted to communicate was that building connection is not solely dependent on social interaction or romantic relationships. It can also be found through self-reflection, time spent in nature, engagement with the wider community, and pursuing activities that bring you joy.

The Outcome

A star serves as the central metaphor of our motion graphic, representing the loneliness and isolation students can feel when moving away from home, small and distant in an unfamiliar world. This visual also draws a connection to the anonymous messages shared through the #LonelyNotAlone campaign. Our call to action encourages students who may be feeling alone or isolated to take one small step toward connection, while reinforcing the message that they are not alone in their experience.