Who's Afraid of Nathan Law
A Complete Motion Design System for Documentary Film
Creative Studio:
Creative Services:
Art Direction
Motion Design System
Post Production Services
Tools:
Maxon Cinema 4D
Adobe After Effects
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Objective
Create a unified motion design system that enhances storytelling, clarifies complex political context, and supports the film director's vision.
The goal: make the film more visually immersive, emotionally resonant, and accessible to a broad audience.
Design Research
The Umbrella Movement—Hong Kong’s defining pro-democracy protest—was central to Nathan Law’s story and the design language of the film. I studied its symbolism, visual culture, and historical context to build a motion system that felt both grounded in history and emotionally charged.
From the yellow umbrellas used in passive resistance to the fragmented visuals of protest ephemera, design choices stemmed from this political and cultural foundation.
Visual Direction
The design system centers on high-contrast graphics: bold yellow against black, distressed imagery, and fractured typography. These elements evoke protest, memory, and censorship—mirroring the themes of exile and resistance woven through Law’s story.
The visual language isn’t just aesthetic—it’s narrative. It mirrors how history is pieced together from clippings, leaks, and moments caught on camera.
Design System includes:
- Film Logotype
- Title Sequence
- Storytelling Sequences
- 3D Geographic Map Sequences
- Typographic Presentation of Facts
- Name & Location IDs
- Transitional Elements
- Theater & Broadcast Credits
Where to watch?
Who’s Afraid of Nathan Law premiered at the Toronto Hot Docs Festival and aired nationally on PBS as part of POV Season 37, television’s longest-running showcase for independent documentaries.
The design helped elevate the film’s urgency, clarity, and emotional punch—contributing to its critical success.
Critical Acclaim
“Told in a fast-paced mix of personal reminiscence… the sum effect is just as engaging.”
“A reminder of the fierce potential we felt with the world at our feet.”
“A gripping saga… capturing the grim realities faced by those under oppressive regimes.”
General Motion
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