For the official lyric video of “Marching’” by Zion Marley — the son of Ms. Lauryn Hill and grandson of Bob Marley — I was invited to visually interpret the essence of the song through animation.

Zion described the project as a call to action and a reminder of the greatness that can arise from togetherness. The lyrics were to move with the rhythm of the song, remaining easy to read while emotionally resonating — even with the sound turned off.

The visual concept was rooted in the feeling of fluidity — like water—and the power of collective motion. It’s a reflection on past and present, on unity, and the question: what could be possible if we marched together toward a shared goal?

The background visuals that set the mood for the animation were provided by two visual artists:

Their work established a warm, poetic visual backdrop that allowed the animated typography and illustrated elements to breathe and come forward.

I led the full animation and design process — bringing Zion’s message to life through a hybrid of handmade and digital techniques.

The animation includes:

Fully hand-drawn, frame-by-frame animation, done in collaboration with Callipeg, adding organic motion and emotional texture

Custom typography animation for every line of the song

Composition and finishing in Adobe After Effects, combining analog charm with modern clarity

The animation flows with the music — sometimes subtle, sometimes bold—but always in sync, designed to guide the viewer through the message rather than distract from it. The overall approach was guided by the concept of “Fluently Rough” — a visual language that balances fluid motion with a raw, handmade aesthetic. By animating at 12 frames per second, the piece retains a natural roughness that reflects the emotional weight of the song while still flowing with rhythm and clarity.

Typography is the central storytelling element. Zion emphasized the importance of clarity, while also encouraging an expressive, artistic interpretation. The goal was to make each word feel alive — to have rhythm, depth, and visual emotion.

Letters were often animated with individual character, showing unity through diversity — an idea in tune with the heart of the song. This approach mirrors Zion’s vision of a “modern take on truth” and a deep emotional experience that lingers frame to frame.

This is not just a lyric video — it’s a visual companion to the music, one that adds emotional layers while staying grounded in simplicity, honesty, and human touch.

“Marching’” stands as a visual project rooted in purpose. It’s an exploration of movement — both literal and metaphorical — and what it means to walk forward together.

This collaboration with Zion Marley and Ms Lauryn Hill, guided by a clear emotional direction and executed with handcrafted care, is a rare blend of message, motion, and meaning.