Daniela Sherer’s animation on the origins of insomnia for The School of Life

In a tranquil colour palette of pink and blue hues Daniela Sherer explores the exhausting topic of insomnia and its origins for Alain de Botton’s The School of Life. As part of a series of animations about the self, this short explores the notion that insomnia is actually the mind telling us we’ve neglected our emotional health and wellbeing whether it be our relationships, future plans or talents.

Played out alongside a soothing voiceover of reason, RCA graduate Daniela cutely animates the brain of a female character to demonstrate the strain and stress we put our minds through. Not only is the little brain motif charming, its squidgy and malleable form adapts to the ideas presented with ease. Daniela deals with the transitions from scene to scene in a series of interesting crops and shots. A lovely combination of simple line drawings and block colours, her uncomplicated style suits the film’s message of keeping a clear head and making time for yourself to just think.