The Science of Kindness – Hand-Drawn Explainer Film for 52 Lives / The School of Kindness

Hand-Drawn Animation for World Kindness Day & Anti-Bullying Week UK

In time for World Kindness Day (13 November) and Anti-Bullying Week UK (17–21 November 2025), I am pleased to present The Science of Kindness — a fully hand-illustrated explainer film I created for the UK charity 52 Lives and their educational initiative The School of Kindness.

Watch the full video: The Science of Kindness

Released nationally and internationally on 9 November 2025, this 3-minute film introduces young audiences to the real neuroscience behind kind behaviour: how empathy, oxytocin, dopamine, and social connection influence our brains, bodies, and relationships.

At the centre of the story is Sam, a quiet, thoughtful child whose everyday gestures — holding a door, comforting a classmate, including someone who feels left out — create an expanding ripple of emotional and biological change. Through Sam’s actions, children learn how kindness works, and why it matters.

Montage of three acts of kindness by Sam, drawn in cartoon whiteboard style for UK educational explainer video. — Sequence from “The Science of Kindness” showing three acts by Sam: holding the door for an elderly lady, comforting a sad classmate, and inviting a peer to join a game. Illustrated by Ian David Marsden for 52 Lives.

A Film About What the World Needs Most Right Now

We live in a moment where outrage often replaces dialogue, and where nuance and empathy struggle to be heard. In such an environment, kindness is not sentimentality — it is clarity.

It is a biological, emotional, and social force, rooted in science and lived experience.

This project aligns closely with values I have always admired — those of the Lumières: rationality, curiosity, emotional intelligence, and the conviction that compassion and reason still matter. The film seeks to bring these values to young viewers in a way that is direct, human, and accessible.

Every frame was crafted by hand, with the aim of communicating ideas not just accurately, but with warmth and sincerity — qualities that are often lost in automated or template-driven productions.

The Science of Kindness - short animated explainer video for kids

For Teachers, Schools & Wellbeing Programmes

The film is designed for:

PSHE / SEL lessons
Wellbeing assemblies
Anti-Bullying Week activities
World Kindness Day events
Classroom discussions on empathy and emotional intelligence

Teachers are welcome to share the official YouTube version directly with students.

Additional classroom materials can be found at schoolofkindness.org.

Suggested discussion prompts:

How does kindness affect the brain?
What is the “helper’s high”?
How do kind actions spread from one person to another?
What does empathy look like in real life?

Cartoon scene of early humans and a saber-tooth tiger from the explainer video “The Science of Kindness.” — Illustrated cave scene showing the evolutionary roots of our stress response. Created for the 52 Lives explainer video “The Science of Kindness” by Ian David Marsden. This humorous visual introduces the concept of fight-or-flight and its biological legacy.

Production — A Fully Hand-Drawn Film

This project was developed from scratch using a traditional, handcrafted workflow:

My Creative Involvement

Original character design
Storyboard and scene composition
Hand-drawn illustrations for every frame (Procreate & Clip Studio Paint)
Timelapse-capable layered drawing workflow
Hand-lettered titles and custom hand animation
Full video production & editing
Narration and music synchronisation
Final 4K UHD delivery (3840 × 2160 px)

No templates.

No stock assets.

No automated animation.

Every element — from linework and color to pacing and transitions — was created to match the tone, educational clarity, and emotional warmth required by the School of Kindness.

Creative Team

Illustration, Animation & Production:Ian David Marsden — marsdenillustration.com
Written by:Jaime Thurston & Greig Trout — schoolofkindness.org
Narration:Matt Abbott — welcomematt.co.uk
Scientific Advisor:Dr. David Hamilton — drdavidhamilton.com
Produced by: 52 Lives / The School of Kindness, November 2025

Cartoon of smiling boy with labeled brain releasing dopamine, drawn in soft colors. — *This illustration explains how kindness triggers dopamine release, creating a “helper’s high.” From the explainer video “The Science of Kindness” by Ian David Marsden.*

A Project Close to My Heart

Working on The Science of Kindness reminded me that illustration still has a unique power:

to clarify, to humanise, and to connect.

A single line, when drawn with intention, can turn abstract ideas into something tangible and relatable. Kindness — understood as a teachable skill and a daily practice — is one of the simplest, yet most profound tools we can offer young people.

In a world where complexity often overwhelms us, this project reaffirms something essential:

that compassion, reason, and emotional clarity are not outdated virtues — they are what allow society to function.

I am grateful to have contributed to a film that places empathy at the centre of education, where it belongs.

Watch on YouTube: The Science of Kindness
Learn more: schoolofkindness.org
Explore: Hand-Drawn Explainer Videos by Ian David Marsden

Characters stand around the Earth as hearts and sunshine surround them, from kindness explainer video. — Final scene from “The Science of Kindness,” encouraging viewers to reflect and take action. Illustrated by Ian David Marsden, this image invites children to consider how they can spread kindness today.

Hand-drawn title screen from explainer video “The Science of Kindness” by 52 Lives, animated by illustrator Ian David Marsden.

Title card from the explainer video “The Science of Kindness” created by Ian David Marsden for UK charity 52 Lives and its School of Kindness. This hand-drawn 4K video introduces neuroscience and empathy to young viewers through engaging, illustrated storytelling.

Character illustration of Sam from “The Science of Kindness” explainer video, drawn by Ian David Marsden.

Meet Sam, the central character in “The Science of Kindness” explainer video, fully illustrated and animated by Ian David Marsden for the UK-based School of Kindness. Designed to appeal to children aged 7–12, Sam’s hand-drawn features embody approachability and warmth.

Cartoon characters from kindness explainer video including Sam, old lady, classmates, and smiling brain illustration.

Timelapse-style composition from “The Science of Kindness” video showing Sam surrounded by those affected by his actions. The characters were created in a consistent, friendly line style by Ian David Marsden.

Sequence from “The Science of Kindness” showing three acts by Sam: holding the door for an elderly lady, comforting a sad classmate, and inviting a peer to join a game. Illustrated by Ian David Marsden for 52 Lives.

Cartoon representations of cortisol and inflammation beside smiling Sam from explainer video “The Science of Kindness.”

Personified villains “Cortisol” and “Inflammation” represent the stress-reducing benefits of kindness. From the educational explainer video created by Ian David Marsden for 52 Lives.

Cartoon family hugging, with labeled drawings of a heart, oxytocin, and nitric oxide molecules.

Kindness strengthens family bonds and releases positive hormones. This scene from the explainer video illustrates how oxytocin and nitric oxide support heart health and emotional connection.

Illustrated cave scene showing the evolutionary roots of our stress response. Created for the 52 Lives explainer video “The Science of Kindness” by Ian David Marsden. This humorous visual introduces the concept of fight-or-flight and its biological legacy.

Hand-drawn cartoon of Sam smiling with hearts and pink brain, labeled “Oxytocin – the love hormone.”

Kindness releases oxytocin, the “love hormone” linked to bonding and trust. This illustration from “The Science of Kindness” shows the joyful neurochemical response triggered by compassion.

This illustration explains how kindness triggers dopamine release, creating a “helper’s high.” From the explainer video “The Science of Kindness” by Ian David Marsden.

Cartoon of smiling Sam flexing muscles, representing confidence from kind actions.

After helping others, Sam feels empowered. This hand-drawn frame from “The Science of Kindness” illustrates how kindness boosts self-worth and wellbeing.

Cartoon child imagines himself in another’s shoes to understand their feelings in this empathy scene from a kindness video.

In this key visual from “The Science of Kindness,” Sam imagines how the other person feels—a visual metaphor for empathy. Illustrated by Ian David Marsden in a clear, accessible style.

Sam and another child exchange hearts as a symbol of empathy in this whiteboard animation still.

Sam connects with another child in this empathy sequence from “The Science of Kindness.” The exchange of hearts visually illustrates how kindness and emotional resonance flow between individuals.

Cartoon child sleeps peacefully with smiling brain and heart beside him, from kindness explainer video.

This calming illustration shows how acts of kindness help reduce stress. Sam sleeps peacefully with happy personifications of his brain and heart—drawn for “The Science of Kindness” explainer video by Ian David Marsden.

Hearts link multiple characters in this visual metaphor for how kindness spreads through communities.

A chain of kindness spreads from one character to the next in this still from “The Science of Kindness.” This image represents how empathy ripples outward. Hand-drawn by illustrator Ian David Marsden.

Cartoon boy glows warmly in front of the Earth and the sun, symbolizing the power of kindness.

Sam’s kindness has a global effect. This warm visual marks the emotional peak of the film “The Science of Kindness,” illustrated by Ian David Marsden for 52 Lives and the School of Kindness.

Final scene from “The Science of Kindness,” encouraging viewers to reflect and take action. Illustrated by Ian David Marsden, this image invites children to consider how they can spread kindness today.

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