“Stories are not just what brands tell; they’re what customers remember.”
– Piyush Pandey
In today’s hyper-connected world, attention spans are fleeting and brand claims are often drowned in noise. What truly stays with people is not just what a brand says but how it makes them feel consistently, across every interaction. For brands that want to build reliability and long-term loyalty, design thinking and storytelling have quietly become or need to consistently be their strongest communication engines.
We’ve seen this unfold across diverse sectors from automotive to BFSI to public awareness, where purpose-driven films and creative content design have transformed not just perception, but the way audiences interact and engage with a brand at every stage. Let’s look at how some of our collaborations turned brand philosophies into living, breathing experiences.
Ashok Leyland: Turning Vision into Motion
When Ashok Leyland one of India’s most trusted automotive giants decided to move beyond its legacy tagline “Aapki Jeet. Hamari Jeet.” toward a future-focused “No Dream Too Far,” it wasn’t just a rebranding moment; it was a reawakening.
The challenge before us was clear: translate this bold new philosophy into a narrative that resonated emotionally while showcasing their move toward zero-carbon mobility, electric vehicles, CNG, and hydrogen fuel solutions. By far, this was our first large-scale 3D film project for Automotive, designed to visually capture the evolution of India’s mobility landscape.
We focused on storytelling that didn’t just show technology, but its impact how innovation could co-exist with sustainability. The film premiered at Auto Expo 2023, drawing widespread appreciation for its seamless blend of high-end visuals and visionary storytelling. For us, it was proof that when design and purpose meet, even heavy-duty machines can carry human emotion.
SBI Card: Humour as a Tool for Awareness
In another universe of storytelling, the BFSI space SBI Card approached us to address a serious issue: fraud calls. Rather than take the predictable fear-or-caution-based route, we flipped the brief. We created “Don’t Be That Guy” a character-led, humorous film series that brought to life four exaggerated personalities who make common online security mistakes.
Shot during the pandemic with stand-up comic Chirayu Mistry with our live-action production partner White Grape, the campaign became memorable not just for mirroring the viewers’ possible mishaps but also because it made them smile and think. Humour, design clarity, and cultural relevance combined to make a message stick, though this slapstick take on the growing issue – something often missing in corporate communication, making it ‘usual’.
It was a reminder that storytelling doesn’t need to be a grand or highly expensive deal to be powerful; it just needs to be real, relatable, and rooted in human truth.
Montra Electric: Designing the Future, Electrically
When the Murugappa Group launched One Montra App, for Montra Electric Truck the new-age EV brand born from 125 years of legacy, we had one challenge: to create a film that merged heritage with futuristic innovation.
The project demanded more than sleek visuals; it needed a narrative that bridged their bicycle-era roots with their EV revolution. Our storytelling leaned into the theme of “green transformation,” combining 3D animation with functional design aesthetics to showcase their SCV lineup and digital platform, OneMontra.
The film premiered at Bharat Mobility Expo 2025, standing out not just for its stunning visuals but for the clarity with which it conveyed complex technology. The lesson? The most futuristic brands succeed when their communication feels simple, human, and emotionally intelligent.
UNICEF – Criiio4Good: Changing Mindsets Through Animation Films
When UNICEF India , in partnership with ICC and the Ministry of Education, launched Criiio4Good a series aimed at instilling life skills and gender equality through cricket in children – we knew animation was the perfect medium.
Our task was to script and design eight short films that spoke to millions of schoolchildren across India. From Odisha’s Sambalpuri villages to Tamil Nadu’s coastal towns, we used design as a bridge for inclusion – ensuring every story reflected the regional nuances of India.
The films premiered at the Cricket World Cup 2023, reaching over 1.2 million schools, hosted by cricket star Smriti Mandhana. Beyond awards and numbers, this project reaffirmed something timeless: when visuals carry empathy and purpose, they are not only informing, they are inspiring transformation in the minds of all ages.
Star Health: Everyday Speed, Everyday IndiaClick the image to watch the full video
In a more relatable, day-to-day brand scenario, Starhealth Insurance wanted to communicate the ease of their new UPI-based renewal feature with their existing customer community. We approached it through a simple insight – that everyday tasks feel longer than they should.
Through crisp, character-led animation, we paralleled mundane actions (like grabbing your coffee from the coffee machine in 2 mins or finding these 2 mins in between your most-awaited cricket match!) with Star Health’s lightning-fast renewal process. The tone was light, the message clear, and the result – a film series that made insurance easily understandable, non-compromising, yet unexpectedly enjoyable to relate to.
It showcased how design thinking – when applied to simplify rather than glorify – can elevate the credibility of even the most routine brand communications.
The Common Thread: Design that Breathes, Bring Stories that Endure
Across every sector we’ve worked in, be it Automotive, BFSI, Tech, or Social Impact – one truth remains constant: design-led storytelling builds trust and a strong recall. Whether it’s a customer renewing their policy, a child learning about equality, or a business leader watching an EV film at an expo, clarity, emotion, and consistency shape the brand image and promise they walk away with.
In an era where 80% of consumers prefer brands that “explain rather than advertise,” and 70% trust content that “feels designed for them,” storytelling has now proven to be a business tool to garner desired results in an extremely engaging world today.
At Vivi5 Studios , we continue to build creative films and digital content that tell a brand’s story in ways that build its branding over the years while strengthening its foundation. Because when communication is designed with empathy and purpose, to see that it sells and sustains
Written by Rita Dhankani @Vivi5 Studios
