Who we are

I am Andrew Park, the artist and visual thinker who pioneered a new communication medium with the RSA Animate series. What began as a novel approach to making complex ideas accessible has evolved into a globally recognised genre of visual storytelling—one that has democratised knowledge and inspired millions worldwide. 
 
In 2009, I began an extraordinary collaboration with the Royal Society of Arts that would transform how the world consumes intellectual content. The RSA Animate series wasn't just about drawing pictures while someone spoke—it was about creating a new paradigm for understanding complex ideas through what I call “scribing." 
 
My approach was born from a simple belief: everything can be interpreted as a story, and creating strong, relevant narratives is how people truly connect. Each animation became “an animated example of my thought process writ large—literally." 
 
Drawing from my Fine Art background and my company Cognitive Media's mission to “Inspire Minds: Change the World," I developed a unique process that went far beyond traditional animation. This was visual note-taking that continually responded to the narrative—an active investigation between myself as an artist and the profound ideas I was illustrating.

The Numbers Tell the Story:

100+ million views across the RSA Animate series 

#1 nonprofit channel worldwide - RSA's YouTube success within two years 

16+ million viewers inspired by "Changing Education Paradigms" featuring Sir Ken Robinson 

Global recognition leading to commissions from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and partnerships with TED-Ed 

What started as an innovative way to adapt speeches into accessible visual content became a cultural phenomenon that redefined digital communication. The series didn't just go viral—it created an entirely new market and established the benchmark for intellectual visual storytelling. 
 
My process, comes from the practice of “scribing," is fundamentally different from standard animation. It's not about pre-written scripts or stiff, lifeless characters. Instead, it's about the authentic, human connection created through the simplicity of watching somebody draw pictures while a voice tells a story.

“The medium itself is the message, and this is what holds the utmost relevance. The simplicity of watching somebody draw pictures whilst a voice tells a story is ultimately timeless.”

Each drawing emerges as a responsive act—my hand (everyone's favorite “hairy hand") translating complex philosophical concepts into visual narratives that stick in the mind. This isn't about technical perfection; it's about creating a mnemonic device that makes profound ideas accessible to anyone, anywhere.

Evolution

A New Chapter: While Cognitive Media is no longer in operation, my passion for visual storytelling continues stronger than ever through Hairy Hand Productions. The mission remains unchanged: to transform complex ideas into compelling visual narratives that inspire minds and change the world. 
 
Today, through Hairy Hand Productions, I continue to push the boundaries of visual communication. From my ongoing “Talk To The Hand" series, where I interview thought leaders and bring their ideas to life through illustration, to bespoke projects for organisations seeking to make their complex messages clear and emotionally resonant—the work evolves while staying true to its hand-drawn, human-centered roots. 
 
The digital residue of my drawings, which I once viewed as transient communications destined to be “wiped from the surface of the world with a cloth," now lives forever on the internet. This unexpected permanence has created a lasting legacy, proving that authentic, handcrafted storytelling has enduring power in our increasingly digital world.

Ready to Transform Your Ideas?

Let's explore how visual storytelling can make your complex concepts accessible, memorable, and inspiring. Whether you're sharing groundbreaking research, launching a new initiative, or simply need to communicate more effectively, the power of hand-drawn narrative awaits.

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