La Mer: Nighttime Routine Animation

I was commissioned by the La Mer team to create three original artworks for their social media and blog. The brief revolved around my personal connection to the ocean. I wanted to illustrate three animated scenes that connected as a single storyline. The concept revolves around sleep, dreams, and the sound of ocean waves. For the cell animated frames, I illustrated and composed in Procreate & Photoshop. For motion graphic elements, I used After Effects. Full story detailed below.

Client: La Mer
Illustrator: Loe Lee
Creative Direction: Nicole Argento & Grace Millar
Producer: Kate McKeon

The Concept: As someone living with insomnia, an important part of managing my condition is having a set nighttime routine. To maintain strong sleep hygiene, I incorporate the same ritual and environment before bedtime. There are a few things I do without fail: brush my teeth, put on my nightly skincare, read a chapter of my favorite comic, and put on the sound of ocean waves. After so many years sleeping to the same melody, the sound of water flowing instantly comforts me and eases me into calm.

Test Animation Sketches: