Level Playing Field, HBO Max
Visual identity and motion design for HBO x Vox docuseries exploring the intersection of sports and policy.
Level Playing Field is a four‑part HBO x Vox docuseries examining the intersection of sports, policy, and the communities affected by them. As Art Director, I developed the show’s visual identity and motion design language, drawing inspiration from protest posters, WEB DuBois’ data visualizations, and archival materials.
Selected style frames:
The design approach used layered textures, scanned distortions, and hand‑drawn elements to echo themes of power, repetition, and distortion in politics. Clear, sequential animations built visual narratives piece‑by‑piece, guiding viewers toward the bigger picture while pacing the story for both clarity and impact.
We built the animation sequences to unfold gradually — revealing elements step‑by‑step until the full political and policy systems came into view. This pacing helped viewers absorb complex information in stages while reinforcing key themes throughout the series. The modular approach also gave the team the flexibility to expand scenes as needed, ensuring clarity and visual impact from start to finish.
Trailer:
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Credits
Art Direction: Dion Lee
Design, Animation: Ananya Ghatrazu, Liz Galian, Dion Lee
Directors: Akil Gibbons, Joe Posner, Sam Ellis, Rebecca Stern
Executive Producers: Michael Jacobs, Joe Posner, Emily Anderson, Chad Mumm, Mark W. Olsen, Jonathan Crystal
Co-executive Producers: Mac Schneider, Marina Stadler
Producer: Samantha Lee
Editors: James Pilott, Lewis Rapkin, Cuong Ngo