the tree
A poem for the future of NAAEE
A poetic story for a shared mission
We created a short animation for the North American Association for Environmental Education’s 50th anniversary — a visual poem about care, learning, and legacy.The script was written and narrated by the celebrated poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil
We created a short animation for the North American Association for Environmental Education’s 50th anniversary — a visual poem about care, learning, and legacy.The script was written and narrated by the celebrated poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil
We were tasked with creating a soft and poetic visual language that reflects the tone of the narration
A muted and natural color palette served as the foundation for clarity, emotion, and rhythm throughout the film.Each scene transitions seamlessly into the next, allowing the story to flow as a continuous thought. Visual changes were designed to feel organic and unforced, reinforcing a calm and meditative atmosphere. The overall aesthetic is minimal and balanced. Textures are used with intention, compositions remain open, and every visual element is carefully placed to support the narration without distraction.This visual approach gives the poem space to resonate and encourages a slower, more thoughtful viewing experience
A muted and natural color palette served as the foundation for clarity, emotion, and rhythm throughout the film.Each scene transitions seamlessly into the next, allowing the story to flow as a continuous thought. Visual changes were designed to feel organic and unforced, reinforcing a calm and meditative atmosphere. The overall aesthetic is minimal and balanced. Textures are used with intention, compositions remain open, and every visual element is carefully placed to support the narration without distraction.This visual approach gives the poem space to resonate and encourages a slower, more thoughtful viewing experience
Soft curves and calm motion shape the visual world of the animation. Scenes grow and shift naturally, giving each moment space to unfold.The pacing follows the voice of the poem. It invites the viewer to slow down, observe, and stay present with the story. To enhance visual depth and composition, we incorporated stylized 3D in selected scenes. This allowed us to introduce dynamic camera angles while maintaining the overall softness of the illustration style.
Soft curves and calm motion shape the visual world of the animation. Scenes grow and shift naturally, giving each moment space to unfold.The pacing follows the voice of the poem. It invites the viewer to slow down, observe, and stay present with the story. To enhance visual depth and composition, we incorporated stylized 3D in selected scenes. This allowed us to introduce dynamic camera angles while maintaining the overall softness of the illustration style.
Credits
Written and narrated by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
Directed by James
Parker Illustration — Kseniia Meleshchuk
Animation — Andrii Dudko, Illya Tkachenko, and Iryna Lubianska