a defining feature of the black experience

Great Migrations: A People on the Move

Client

McGee Media, PBS

The PBS limited series ‘Great Migrations: A People on the Move’ explores the profound impact of Black migration on American culture and society. BGSTR designed the four-part series, hosted by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., covering the historic waves of Black Americans moving North (and later returning South), as well as the growing number of African and Caribbean immigrants shaping today’s communities.

Series Design

Movement has always been central to the Black experience. Since the beginning of human history, migration has defined how people evolve, form identities, and build nations. However, for African Americans, movement holds a unique significance—having been denied the freedom to move for so long, migration became a defining force in their cultural and social development.

Our design process began with a fundamental question: how do we visually communicate the significance of migration in the Black experience? We prioritized creating a clear and unique graphic map and timeline style to guide viewers through the historical journey across the episodes.

Series Design Exploration

Exploring different visual approaches, we developed a saturated, earthy color palette that reflected the media styles of each era. This ensured that the design remained both historically authentic and emotionally resonant.

New Negro - Design Exploration

For the breakout segments— such as the feature on the "New Negro" movement— we incorporated Art Deco elements and period-authentic typography, grounding the visuals in their historical context.

Episode 101 Finals - Leaving the South 1900s and New Negro

Once the design language was established, we focused on motion. By integrating animation with archival footage, we created a seamless blend of historical elements and contemporary storytelling, giving the series a distinctive, compelling style.

01/03

The Great Migration, beginning in the late 19th century, was a direct response to the unfulfilled promises of Reconstruction. As the 20th century progressed, this movement reshaped American cities and culture. Our design journey mirrored this historical trajectory, visually transitioning from the early departures from the Jim Crow South to the more recent influx of Caribbean and African immigrants.

Episode 104 Finals - Soul City and Ebony Magazine

Throughout the series, we aimed to capture the spirit of resilience and optimism that defined these migrations. The belief in opportunity, in building a better future for generations to come, was at the heart of this movement and we wanted our design to reflect that same energy.

Main Title

For the main title sequence, we drew inspiration from the actual modes of transportation used during the Great Migration. Train stations, railcars, and automobiles were incorporated into dynamic compositions, layered with rich textures and colors that carried through the series. The sequence concludes with a bold, period-authentic logo lockup, reinforcing the historical weight of the story.