In spring of 2012 documentary filmmakers David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg came to Superfad NY in need of graphics to enhance their documentary about human longevity. The doc focuses on three scientists at the research forefront in this field and follow them through their lives and struggles. The film also explains in depth the theories and discoveries that have been made and it was our mission to visualize and make these understandable and appealing throughout the film.
I worked closely with creative director Kinda Akash and developed a look that made sense in the universe that David and Jason had created using research notebook-style drawings and animations. A big part of the graphics also happen around the three scientists in a black-box setting where we developed a concept giving the idea that they are always surrounded by their research, animating on when relevant, to then fade of into the darkness again.
Early design explorations for documentary about human longevity.
After exploring approx three different looks we settled on a handdrawn, notebook style for the elements. The thought was that the scientists were constantly surrounded by their own science, which was visually triggered when relevant.
Round 2. Design was set at this point and I moved on to creating elements and exploring animation techniques. A lot ended up being cell animated in Photoshop with compositing done in After effects.