OCD
This explainer breaks down what OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) really is,beyond the stereotypes, highlighting both its symptoms and the possible treatment paths. The story is told through a central character I designed specifically for this animation. By following her internal world and everyday struggles, viewers gain a more personal and nuanced understanding of how OCD can affect someone's life. The narrative was crafted to foster empathy, awareness, and hope.
I designed the main character and built all scenes around her experiences using a blend of stylized 3D assets and 2D overlays. The entire animation was composed in After Effects, with attention to rhythm, pacing, and emotional flow. Special care went into body language, facial expressions, and color transitions to reflect her mental and emotional states throughout the piece.
Credits
Direction, Animation & Design: Sasan Shekarestan
Voiceover: Zohreh Tabakh
Client: Digipezeshk
Tools Used: Daz Studio, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, After Effects
Challenges & Creative Decisions
One of the biggest challenges was finding a visual language that could effectively convey the internal experience of OCD-particularly the relentless, repetitive nature of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
To solve this, I used subtle animation loops, symbolic patterns, and environmental repetition that mimicked the feeling of being caught in a mental cycle. For example, I depicted one of the charaters in various poses and situations whilst cleaning,reinforcing the sense of psychological looping.
These variations were brought into After Effects and arranged in sequences that quietly built up the emotional intensity. This combination of visual storytelling and symbolic design helped create a rhythm that mirrored the lived experience of OCD, while keeping the tone accessible and emotionally grounded.
