Map- Ukraine mineral distribution map
Project Brief
This animated explainer mapped Ukraine’s key mineral reserves in the context of rising U.S. interest, following political statements by Donald Trump suggesting future strategic deals tied to Ukraine’s natural resources. The piece was created for television broadcast to contextualise the geopolitical significance of these assets.
1. Information Gathering
Data was gathered from open-source geological surveys, mining industry databases, and Ukrainian government publications. Sources were cross-referenced to ensure accuracy of mineral types, locations, and estimated reserves, with a focus on lithium, rare earths, and iron ore.
2. Content Planning & Structure
The visual story was structured to introduce the political background first, followed by a zoomed-in breakdown of Ukraine’s mineral regions. The map was designed to reveal deposits in phases, first by resource category, then by economic or strategic value, helping viewers grasp both distribution and importance.
3. Design Execution
I used GeoLayers in After Effects to build a detailed, animated map of Ukraine, layering in vector graphics created in Adobe Illustrator to indicate mining zones, resource icons, and infrastructure links. Colour coding and motion highlights were used to distinguish between different types of minerals and regional clusters.
4. Visual Strategy
The animation was reviewed by the editorial lead on the explainer team, who recommended increasing the prominence of the Donbas and Dnipropetrovsk regions due to their strategic importance. Adjustments were made to label placement, pacing, and the intro framing to strengthen viewer understanding.
5. Outcome
The map was aired as part of a TV explainer segment and later shared in short-form video across social media. It helped clarify Ukraine’s role in the global mineral supply chain at a time of renewed political and economic focus, and was well received for turning a dense topic into a clear, accessible visual story.