Illustrated figure in striped pyjamas washing up at a bathroom sink, checkerboard floor tiles below

How To Use Your Respimat Inhaler

Client: Boehringer Ingelheim (Respimat)
Services: Illustration · Character Design

A set of hand drawn instructional illustrations showing how to use a Respimat inhaler correctly, built into a set of short educational films at the request of Catherine Turner.

You wouldn't think hand animating a how to inhaler video was a good idea. It was. • You wouldn't think hand animating a how to inhaler video was a good idea. It was. • You wouldn't think hand animating a how to inhaler video was a good idea. It was. • You wouldn't think hand animating a how to inhaler video was a good idea. It was. •

Using the Inhaler

Illustrated hand turning the base of a Respimat inhaler — Turn.

Illustrated hand turning the base of a Respimat inhaler, second angle — Turn.

Illustrated hand pressing a Respimat inhaler, releasing a visible mist spray — Press.

Close up illustration of a person using a Respimat inhaler near their mouth — Using the inhaler correctly.

Illustrated comparison graphic showing the correct way to insert a Respimat cartridge, captioned "LIKE THIS" — A direct callout, "LIKE THIS."

Close up illustration of a hand holding a Respimat inhaler being measured against a pen for accuracy — Checking the device’s proportions for accuracy.

The Brief

You would have thought that hand animating a "how to" video on how to use an inhaler would not be a good idea, but Catherine Turner asked Cumi to create one anyway. The process was tricky, the cartoon drawing of the inhaler needed to be 100% accurate while still not feeling out of place in its own illustrated style. The old, boring way of doing this was thrown out in favour of a set of short educational films that were charming and fun to watch, while still clearly communicating exactly what to do.

Everyday Scenes

Illustrated bedroom scene with a Respimat inhaler on a bedside table — One of the everyday scenes built around using the inhaler.

Illustrated bedroom scene with a Respimat inhaler on a bedside table, bicycle visible — One of the everyday scenes built around using the inhaler.

Illustration of a hand reaching into a bedside drawer for a Respimat inhaler — One of the everyday scenes built around using the inhaler.

Illustration of a woman sitting on a bed using a Respimat inhaler, teddy bear beside her — One of the everyday scenes built around using the inhaler.

Illustration of a man at a bathroom sink and mirror — One of the everyday scenes built around using the inhaler.

Illustration of a man shaving at a bathroom mirror — One of the everyday scenes built around using the inhaler.

Illustration of a hand inserting a cartridge into a Respimat inhaler box — One of the everyday scenes built around using the inhaler.

Illustration of a customer collecting a prescription at a pharmacy counter — One of the everyday scenes built around using the inhaler.

What Cumi Created

Cumi illustrated the full sequence of using a Respimat inhaler correctly, turning the base, opening the cap and pressing the dose button, shown step by step with the on screen instructions "TURN", "OPEN" and "PRESS".

Product & Character

Standalone illustration of a Respimat inhaler device — A standalone product illustration of the inhaler.

Standalone illustration of a Respimat inhaler cartridge — A standalone product illustration of the cartridge.

Standalone character design illustration of a woman giving a thumbs up — One of the recurring characters, designed for the series.

Credits

Illustration & Character Design: Cumi
Client Contact: Catherine Turner