Behind the Scenes: Animating a Nostalgic Christmas Story for Coral Windows
Inside the hand-drawn process that brought festive warmth to life through animated video
When our team began work on the latest Coral Windows Christmas TV advert, the ambition was simple. We wanted to create something that felt comforting. Something familiar. The kind of Christmas story that quietly takes you back.
Nothing flashy or overproduced, but to the festive moments we remember from childhood
The stories that felt warm, a little slower, and full of atmosphere.
So instead of chasing quick trends, we chose to look backwards. We leaned into traditional illustrated style animation, softer movement and considered pacing, letting the story breathe and the emotion lead the way.
Because sometimes the most memorable Christmas ads are the ones that feel like they have always been there.
Starting With the Story
Every frame began with narrative. The journey of the hand-drawn boy, accompanied by his companions, a small deer and Coral’s iconic fish, was carefully mapped out through storyboards. The trio remain bonded throughout the film, reinforcing themes of companionship, reassurance, and warmth.
This gave the animation a sense of calm purpose, with each moment gently guiding the viewer from the cold of winter towards the soft glow of a welcoming home.
Crafting Hand-Drawn Characters
Character design played a huge role in shaping the nostalgic feel of the advert. Our illustration team intentionally stepped away from anything too polished or overly modern, choosing soft lines, gentle textures and expressive movement that felt timeless rather than trendy.
The boy was drawn to feel innocent and familiar, the deer calm and reassuring, and the Coral fish a warm, glowing presence. Always there, always alongside them, quietly guiding the journey without ever needing to take centre stage.
Using Colour to Tell the Story
Colour plays a quiet but powerful role in the storytelling of the Coral Windows Christmas TV advert. Early scenes are led by cool blues and soft winter tones, creating a sense of cold and distance. As the journey unfolds, warmer hues begin to appear through lighting, interiors and, ultimately, the gentle glow of Coral windows.
This gradual shift mirrors the emotional journey of the film. Warmth is not introduced all at once. It builds slowly, so it is not just seen on screen, but felt by the viewer.
Blending Traditional and Digital Animation Techniques
While the TV advert is entirely animated, it was created using a thoughtful blend of traditional hand-drawn illustration and modern digital animation tools, with a light touch of AI used to support the process.
Each scene began as a hand-drawn sketch, refined frame by frame to preserve pencil textures and natural movement. These were then animated digitally to ensure smooth motion and a broadcast-quality finish. The result is an animated Christmas advert that feels handcrafted rather than computer-generated, a key part of its nostalgic charm.
A Project That Meant Something
For the WOWVI animation team, this was more than a festive campaign. It was a chance to reconnect with the kind of animation that first inspired many of them to start drawing in the first place.
Slower, more considered, and rooted in craft, this project reminded the team why thoughtful storytelling still matters, especially at Christmas.
There’s something really special about creating Christmas animation that feels hand-drawn. It took us back to the films and storybooks we grew up with, the ones that felt warm, slightly imperfect, and full of heart. This project was about slowing things down and letting the illustration do the storytelling.
The Result
The finished advert is a gentle, emotionally rich piece of festive storytelling, one that celebrates warmth, companionship, and the magic of home at Christmas. For WOWVI Video, it’s a proud showcase of what thoughtful animation and illustration can achieve when craft is put first.