Introduction
This page shows the process of creating my first broadcast design package centered on Grand Canyon University Lopes Sports. My goal was to accomplish a genuine, high-quality sports broadcast look through visual designs and quick animated movements. I aimed to improve my skills in branding, generating mixed media, and visual communication.
Planning
I began by making thumbnail sketches for my GCU rebrand logo. Taking GCU’s current brand standards and values into consideration, I selected similar colors and typography. Then, I developed thumbnail sketches of new logo concepts, incorporating elements of the Arizona desert, like cacti, mesas, and sun rays, as well as the Cross from Christian religion. I also experimented with different border shapes, like an icon or an arched window shape.
Original GCU Logo
GCU Logo Thumbnail Set 1
GCU Logo Thumbnail Set 2
GCU Logo Thumbnail Set 3
Redesigned GCU Logo
Additionally, I wanted to create a separate logo for the GCU Sports channel because I thought of it as having a separate channel from the main GCU channel. So, I sketched multiple concepts with simple geometric shapes, landing on the one that reminded me most of a medal and curtains around it. I flipped the design upside down to put the “gold medal” in the sky like the sun, and the “curtains” and ‘medal strap” reminded me of the desert mountains. After choosing the thumbnails I liked most, I developed the designs in Adobe Illustrator and created a mood board and brand guide featuring the new imagery, colors, and typography for GCU.
GCU Sports Logo Thumbnail Set 1
GCU Sports Logo Thumbnail Set 2
Final GCU Sports Logo
Mood Board
Brand Guide
Production
This stage took 2 weeks to complete. I researched examples of broadcast design elements online and found useful graphics and videos. The graphics helped me understand the designs for lower thirds and bumpers, while news and sports clips helped me understand how they are meant to move on screen. After finding these references online, I moved on to developing the design package assets, including designs for Lower Thirds, Bumpers, Logo Bugs, and Mortises. Mortises did not appear in the final video.
Lower Thirds and Bumpers Inspiration
Lower Thirds Design 1
Lower Thirds Design 2
Bumper 1
Bumper 2
Bumper 3
Bumper 4
Logo Bugs (50% opacity)
Mortise Design 1
Mortise Design 2
Mortise Design 3
Post-Production
Using the provided GCU Sports footage and all of my assets, I composited and animated everything in After Effects and included music and sound effects, later in production. I leaned heavily into refining the sound design, effectively syncing the sound with the visuals. I also used principles of design and animation to make my motion design look more appealing. The most difficult part of development was creating realistic elements for broadcasting and animating them to suit the project’s theme and pace.
Final Broadcast Design Package Video
