Apple – Luther Himes IV

Fathom

Feature Cinematic Package

I had the opportunity to design and animate the cinematic motion and design package for Apple’s Emmy-winning nature documentary Fathom. From logotype and opening titles to the end credit roll, I devised an aesthetic identity for the film that stretched from screen to posters.

Theatrical trailer

Role: Title and Motion Graphic Designer
Client: Apple

Final film opening sequence

Final film title treatment

Key points in the motion treatment evolution (After Effects)

⇢ Opening Title Card
↳ Opening Title Sequence ↳ Lower Thirds
↳ Quote / Text Blocks ↳ Location Cards
⇢ End Credit Roll

Working alongside director Drew Xanthopoulos, we drew inspiration from the restraint, mystery, and sense of wonder found in science-fiction films such as Arrival and Alien—stories centered on discovery, communication, and the challenge of understanding the unknown. The result was a thoughtful, understated visual treatment capable of conveying a nuanced and complex narrative without sacrificing emotional impact.

In parallel with the design process, I developed and refined the film’s motion language. With each iteration, the work became increasingly restrained—gradually shedding visual embellishment in favor of subtle movement, deliberate pacing, and finely tuned timing. This philosophy ultimately informed every animated element in the film, creating a cohesive visual system that prioritized clarity, atmosphere, and intention.

Subtle design details characterize the logotype

Designing a motion-driven title treatment was a uniquely rewarding challenge. The mark needed to function first as a cinematic storytelling device within the film, while also serving as a flexible brand asset that could extend across Apple’s website, promotional materials, posters, merchandise, and other campaign touchpoints.

After extensive exploration, I landed on a custom logotype solution. Through careful refinement—adjusting proportions, shaping forms, and softening the letterforms—I integrated key motifs from the motion system, including the animated fading arms and spectrogram-inspired visual language. The result is a title treatment that bridges motion and graphic design, creating a connection between the film’s motion identity and static expression.

Layered, animated blur maps, individual to each credit, evoke watery refractions of light.

As development of the logotype progressed, my role expanded beyond collaboration with the director and producers to working directly with the Apple marketing team translating the film-specific creative asset into a flexible identity system capable of supporting the launch and promotion of a feature film across a wide range of channels and applications.

With clarity, usability, and scalability as guiding principles, I transformed bitmap-based visual elements from the motion design into clean, production-ready vector assets. Originally created by manipulating spectrogram footage, these graphics were carefully reconstructed to preserve their character while ensuring seamless deployment.