NOLS

For over 50 years nols has been the leader in outdoor education. As a Nols alum I was beyond ecstatic for the chance to work with a company that changed my life. So when we at GrandArmy were asked to create testimonials we felt testimonials we're selling them short, not giving the brand justice. We wanted to tell their bigger story. Everyone knows that the journey is more often defined by the valley than the peaks we reach. So we asked alumni what their lowest, most challenging moments were during NOLS. We brought their stories to life to show how NOLS teaches people that they are capable of overcoming almost anything.

2017 GrandArmy

Role: Creative direction, Art direction, Design, copywriting, Illustration, Animation, Type design

Major co-conspirators: Tim Mele, Damian Riddell, Eddie Song, Marcin Zeglinski
Music / Sound Design: Antfood

NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) is a nonprofit that teaches students life and survival skills in the wild for the past 50 years. To reach the next generation of NOLS graduates we were asked to create a series of films defining the NOLS approach to leadership. Our solution recognized that often a journey is defined not by the peaks we reach, but by the valleys that define us. We collected stories from alumni and parents to create a campaign that celebrates these moments, augmenting footage with painstakingly hand drawn traditional cell animation.

“When you get above the tree line, and you look across and see 360 [degrees of] mountains…It’s the first time where I remember being in awe.” David learns the skills needed to thrive in the backcountry.

“There’s water in the tent.” Ben went to the Pacific Northwest wilderness after high school and discovered what is and isn't a catastrophe.

Chris and his group come together to weather out a storm.

“I thought I was prepared…I was totally not prepared.” Ann rises to the challenge in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains.

In the last video in our Tales from the Trail series, Fatou talks about her first night in the woods.

“No matter who you are out there, everybody is valuable.” Tyrhee learns about relying on his group as he discovers a lifelong passion for the mountains.