Atlanta News First
Year: 2022-2024
Role: Lead Designer
Motion & Video Assets
YSL Trial Special Coverage
Year: 2023-2025
Role: Lead Designer
Live from ATL Assembly
Project Overview
For this long-running special coverage, I led the visual design for a high-profile Atlanta trial that spanned more than a year. The challenge was to create a graphic identity that could stand apart from standard and investigative news coverage while remaining cohesive and adaptable across an extended timeline.
I developed a largely grayscale design system that relied on layered grunge textures rather than color to create visual impact. The distressed materials—graffiti, concrete, and worn paper elements—were intentionally chosen to reflect the urban context of Atlanta while maintaining a serious, documentary tone appropriate for courtroom coverage.
The system scaled across a wide range of deliverables, including in-studio set graphics and monitor designs, timeline visual aids, streaming and social media assets, and a suite of flexible templates that allowed the team to build additional custom graphics as the trial evolved.
By designing a modular, template-driven system, production time for new assets was reduced by approximately 50%, while maintaining visual consistency across platforms. The versatility of the system also enabled other designers to adapt and extend the look efficiently without compromising the original creative direction.
Tools: Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator
Project Overview
This project focused on launching and elevating special coverage around the construction of Assembly Atlanta, one of the largest studio complexes in the Southeast. With the news set temporarily relocating to the site itself, the visual identity needed to feel clean, modern, and cinematic—while honoring the legacy of filmmaking and positioning Assembly as a major player in the industry.
Drawing inspiration from early-film Art Deco design, I developed an animated frame system that became the foundation of the entire package. A restrained palette of dark gray and gold referenced classic Hollywood elegance, while simplified line work and motion treatments kept the aesthetic contemporary and broadcast-ready.
The design system was built as a flexible, template-driven package and scaled seamlessly across in-studio monitors, motion graphics, social coverage, outdoor stage displays, and branded elements used during a private sneak-peek event. This ensured visual cohesion throughout both on-air storytelling and live promotional experiences surrounding the launch.
The strategy and execution were praised by Gray Media CEO Hilton Howell, who cited the alignment between editorial content, design, and Assembly’s brand vision. The coverage strengthened collaboration between Gray Media and Assembly Atlanta, supporting promotional efforts for the studio and laying the groundwork for future partnership opportunities across the network.
Tools: Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator