Overview
Client:
Dubai Police
Industry:
Government · Cybersecurity Awareness
Region:
Dubai, UAE
Services:
Concept Development · Scriptwriting (AR/EN) · Storyboarding · Illustration & Character Design · 2D Animation · VO & Sound Direction
About the Project
Dubai Police wanted to raise public awareness about digital password security in a way that feels simple, human, and visually aligned with Dubai’s modern image.
Instead of publishing static tips, they wanted a short animated film that:
- Shows how every aspect of life is now digital
- Explains the risk of weak passwords
- Teaches people how to build strong passwords and protect their data
The Portal Agency was chosen to create the full package: visual language, characters, script, storyboard, and final animation for the Digital Password Protection campaign.
The Challenge
Most people already know they should use strong passwords but they don’t always act on it. The challenge was to:
- Turn a technical topic (password complexity, hacking, two-factor authentication) into a clear story anyone can understand
- Keep the tone positive and empowering, not scary or overly technical
- Reflect Dubai Police’s identity through colors, typography, and character design, while also showcasing Dubai’s cityscape and lifestyle
The film had to work across social media, internal awareness, and campaign screens, so it needed to be:
- Short
- Visually memorable
- Instantly understandable without heavy explanation
Objectives
Together with Dubai Police, we shaped three main objectives:
1.
Explain the risk of weak passwords in a simple, visual way.
2.
Teach the rules of creating a strong password (length, characters, symbols, etc.).
3.
Connect the message back to Dubai Police as a trusted digital-safety guide, not just an enforcement body.
Our Strategy
We designed the film as a mini-journey on a smartphone set inside Dubai:
1. Start from real life – show how “your entire life is now online”: work, shopping, social connections, and personal data, all flowing through the phone.
2. Show the danger – demonstrate how weak passwords can quickly lead to hacked accounts and exposed data.
3. Introduce the guide – a friendly Dubai Police officer character appears to explain, reassure, and guide the viewer through the solution.
4. Teach the fix step-by-step – inside the phone UI, we visually build a strong password: uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols, and length (12+ characters).
5. End with clear rules – a closing frame summarises key cyber-safety practices: strong passwords, two-factor authentication, no sharing, and regular updates.
Visually, everything was anchored in Dubai Police green, Dubai Font, and a clean 2D illustration style so the film feels officially branded yet warm and approachable.
Execution
Storyboarding the Journey
We developed a scene-by-scene storyboard:
- Opening: Dubai skyline and streets, with different people using their phones in daily life (shopping, work, hospital, etc.).
- Weak Passwords: Close-ups on phone screens as users type simple passwords (names, easy words).
- Hacking Alert: Red warning screens and “Your account has been hacked” messages, supported by an alarm sound cue.
- Officer Appears: The Dubai Police officer steps in, taking control of the narrative and explaining what went wrong.
- How to Fix It: Inside the phone UI, we visually assemble strong passwords: letters, numbers, symbols, longer length.
- Rules Recap: Simple icons representing: complex passwords, two-factor authentication, privacy, and regular password changes.
This storyboard aligned Dubai Police, design, and animation teams around one clear visual script before production.
Dubai Police
Scenario of Protection Digital Password Protection
Storyboard
1. Every part of life is now digital your work, your shopping, your social connections, even your health information. A panoramic screen in a Dubai street. The camera focuses on 3 different people in different places, all holding their phones: One walking while using his phone - One walking with shopping bags - One inside a hospital building
2. Close ups on phone screens. We see three characters who open their applications and They write his passwords
3. Suddenly, a warning message appears on their phone screens: “Your data has been hacked!” At the same moment, a short alarm sound is heard
Scenario of Protection Digital Password Protection
4. A security officer appears on screen. He explains the reason behind the problem and then shows the solution.
5. The screen shows how to create a strong password. First, it demonstrates the mix of uppercase and lowercase letters. Then, an icon of numbers appears, followed by symbols like @ and # being added. Finally, the scene highlights the importance of making the password long, at least eight to ten characters.
6. We see the confirmation that a strong password has been successfully created.
Storyboard
7.We see a confirmation message that a strong password has been successfully created.
8.A reminder appears on the screen showing the main security rules: a complex password, two-factor authentication, no sharing, and regular updates.
9. A reminder appears on the screen showing the main security rules: a complex password, two-factor authentication, no sharing, and regular updates.
Illustration & Character Design
From the storyboard, we built a full illustration system:
- Characters representing everyday Dubai residents
- A recognizable Dubai Police officer character with correct uniform details
- Custom cityscapes, streets, and building silhouettes inspired by Dubai landmarks
- Phone screens, icons, and UI elements designed to be simple and instantly legible
The art direction aimed for friendly, premium, and governmental not childish, not corporate
Animation, VO & Sound
We then animated the full sequence:
- Smooth transitions between real-world scenes, phones, and the officer character
- UI micro-animations showing password strength increasing as more characters are added
- Visual “lock” and “check mark” moments to signal security and success
On top of that, we directed:
- Voice-over delivery to sound calm, clear, and authoritative
- Sound effects (alerts, lock clicks, confirmation) to reinforce the message without overwhelming viewers
The final film works both with sound (for events and social) and silently (for screens and muted autoplay).
Results & Impact
While this project was primarily educational, not commercial, the impact was clear:
- Dubai Police gained a modern, animated asset that explains digital password safety in under a minute.
- The film became an easy plug-and-play piece for:
- Social media awareness posts
- Cybersecurity campaigns
- School and community sessions
- Internal and external presentations
Most importantly, the video turned abstract cyber rules into a simple visual story:
“Your life is digital. Your password is the key. Make it strong.”
The project reinforces Dubai Police’s position as a guardian of both physical and digital safety, speaking to people in a language and format they actually enjoy watching.