Story Sign

Client's Brief

"There are approximately 32 million deaf children worldwide, and many struggle to learn to read".
The StorySign app allows users to simply hold their phone up to printed words, and an avatar translates the text into sign language as the printed words are highlighted. This helps parents and children to learn to read together, and at their own pace. “A simple single emotional story, explaining the problem of deaf literacy and paying attention to Huawei’s key partnership with deaf literacy organisations. Developed with an understanding of sign syntax to ensure a seamless translation and user experience, StorySign helps to open the world of books to deaf children and their families". Client brief, 2019

I was asked to create a Mood Film for the launch of StorySign, an app developed by Huawei. The app is now available in over 11 countries and this editing was created specifically for the Italian market. Watch the UK version here   This project included two different cuts; The Editor’s cut - the one you can watch below, and another additional cut that uses, as its theme, the educational work of Huawei Italy’s KOL, Rudy Zerbi.

Development

This project deeply resonates with me because of its significance and the revolutionary concept of solving challenges with the aid of AI.
I believe the real challenge here, was being able to tell this story in a short time (1-1.5 minute), through the impact that StorySign had on the life of a young deaf girl. I skimmed the footage, make the first cut and thought of using dark tones for the initial part of the video to underline the challenges and obstacles that a deaf person might face in everyday life. I reinforced the message using silence as opposed to noise, while the whole story was narrated by her parent through a background voice. When Story Sign app comes in to simplify reading and gives life to bedtime stories, I used brighter tones to symbolise a new start and spark hope for a better future. Watch the video below and learn more about StorySign