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CNN Election Package

Client

CNN

CNN is the go-to source for coverage of the midterm elections and we designed a versatile package of graphics to support the programming's dynamic narrative in addition to real-time results.

CNN Election Package

Promo Package

CNN is the go-to source for election coverage in American politics and we approached the rebrand of their on-air election package mindful of the network’s expansive audience and the broad reach of our design.

Promo Package

The package rolled out with CNN’s coverage of the 2022 midterm elections, but was designed to be multifunctional. The toolkit we designed is the foundation of the package, enabling an evolution of design so it can be utilized for additional elections moving forward, including the 2024 presidential election. Developing this from a graphic perspective required us to design something with maximum versatility that could reflect any number of informational permutations the CNN newsroom staff would need in the future.

Initial Design Exploration

Design Director Ross Henderson led our design exploration which tried out different interpretations of the aesthetic CNN was seeking. After a few productive exchanges between our teams, we landed on a look that we all agreed struck the right tone: punchy, urgent without being alarmist, nonpartisan and could be evolved for future elections.

Once our design was set, we were able to begin animating the graphics and incorporating elements for our toolkit. Animation Director Casey Drogin oversaw the toolkit, adding timing and movement to the graphics so that they would seamlessly deliver the relevant information to viewers.

Animation for a brand like CNN is always a big responsibility. We worked to craft impactful animation that combines powerful typographic messaging with complex transitions. We also built our animation into a robust After Effects toolkit that would allow CNN to replicate our motion and design into the future. Working this way allowed us to imbue structure into every facet of the animation language, from the visuals to the project itself.
Casey DroginAnimation Director

Promo Package continued

Promo Package continued
Lower Thirds and Locators

CNN needed a system that had a strong foundation, but could evolve visually over the course of the next four years, specifically in the leadup to the 2024 presidential election. Functionally, we had to consider the quick turnaround for these graphics to be updated on election night and informationally, we needed to cover a huge number of potential results scenarios.

Looking to 2024

Toolkits are fun to produce because they’re always unique to each client and so we’re always evolving. For CNN, we had to design elements that visually convey the escalation of urgency as coverage nears decision time, and then include that functionality in the toolkit for their team to manage in the lead up to results coverage and beyond.

01/03

“From a design perspective, we wanted to start big and then become more poignant as we get to those defining moments,” said Virgil Conklin, VP, Head of Production. “Being easy to use and putting our clients in control to quickly enact design changes was key, and the toolkit we delivered is really special in that it’s highly functional, but keeps the integrity of the design at a premium, too.”

Style Guide

Another goal we shared with our client from the outset was increasing the bipartisan appeal of the network’s design and expanding reach across generations, especially younger. We pushed our voiceover and music to be more progressive stylistically in line with the visual elements.

01/03

CNN is known for their comprehensive coverage and real-time results of elections, and we designed a graphics package that visually contributes to their unique election experience, starting as CNN reporters and analysts covered the 2022 Midterm Election results and what they mean for the country. We enjoyed coming up with a design language to progress the nonpartisan stance of the network and pushing ourselves to the next level to develop a toolkit with premium output to match our standards as well as those of our client.

Props where props are due

Credits

CNN Election Package
  • Executive Creative Director
    Josh Norton
  • Executive Producer
    Carson Hood
  • Head of Production
    Virgil Conklin
  • Design Director
    Ross Henderson
  • Animation Director
    Casy Drogin
  • Design
    Idil Gozde, Jay Kim, Liu Chialung
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