AI and the Future of Us:
An Oprah Winfrey Special
Show branding & graphics
In 2024 I was invited to collaborate in the pitching and later production of a new Oprah Winfrey special, focused on artificial intelligence and aiming to inform the wider public about the subject.
I participated in the development of the pitch deck when it was first brough to Disney, and once approved we moved into the development of the visual identity. I worked with the producers, figuring out different segments of the show, live graphics, and set screens, as well as full screen graphics such as title design, line portraits of each guest, transitions to and from commercial, explainer timelines, lower thirds and other visual details needed.
Part of the work also entailed making sure that live graphics could be used on shoots days, matching graphics on screen for script reads and interviews as they touch specific points we wanted to highlight.
We wanted the design to stay in a darker tone, while providing points of light, of illumination, while we bring this complex subject into the light and try to make sense of it as the general public would.
We starting thinking about the identity of the show through light. Shining a light on this black box that is AI. So we wanted light to leak into our frames in a way that was very organic even if not very stable. We wanted to use the tones of light seeping through a dark frame while keeping the tone of the show somber and mysterious.
Show intro, contextualizing the history of artificial intelligence technology.
Transition cards
Guest portraits Sketches
The hand drawn portraits were a proud last minute addition to the project. Or initial plan was to introduce the show with a video sequence of archival, going through the history of the technology and introducing the different characters we were about to meet.
Once we were actually able to rehearse on set, the narrative just wasn't flowing. We needed a different approach that could be flexible, work with the cadence of the host and be quick enough to be turned around in less than a week.
That's when the idea of a full intro sequence came in, and the portraits came to life. I worked on the line drawings and then adapted it to our clean white line language, bringing the brand and the intro together.
Guest portraits Final look
Creative Director Ana Simões
Graphic Designer Ana Simões
Motion Designer Kaz Ishii, Rio Roye
Client ABC + Hulu
Year 2024