Animating Like Crazy: Researching in the Animated Visual Arts and Mental Welfare Fields

Abstract

This research straddles the divide between creative arts practice and social science methodologies, with a focus on outlining a practical approach to developing short-form mixed-media format animated projects that address serious issues such as postnatal depression. Using a multimethod approach that incorporates elements of heuristic, practice-based, autoethnographic, and narrative enquiry methodologies, this chapter describes how animation can be utilized for both communicative, informative, and entertaining purposes. Explaining how animation works in emphasizing symbols and metaphors to elicit empathetic responses, and using examples from various independent creative practitioner’s approach to their work, the focus here is on delivering authentic and authoritative projects for a targeted audience.