expedition 100: mission to mars
GFX Design & Footage Treatment
For this conceptual design exercise, I developed two distinct visual directions
for Expedition 100: Mission to Mars, a high-stakes NASA docuseries.
The goal was to craft an awe-inspiring, cinematic aesthetic that balances the thrill of exploration with the dangers of the unknown.
Style 1 – Chaos & Isolation
This direction evokes a sense of unease and uncertainty, capturing the raw, inhospitable nature of Mars. The color palette is muddy and desaturated, with deep blue shadows and burnt orange highlights. Layered dust storms, smoke, and sand textures engulf the frame, creating a disorienting, turbulent atmosphere. HUD elements are barely visible, fading into the chaos. The inspiration draws from Blade Runner 2049, True Detective’s title sequence, and Raised by Wolves, embracing a stylized, almost haunting aesthetic.
Style 2 – Precision & Discovery
A stark contrast to the first, this approach leans into sharp, futuristic design. Deep reds dominate the shadows, contrasted with icy blue highlights, creating a bold, high-contrast aesthetic. Abstract graphics—white orbital paths, elevation lines tracing jagged Martian landscapes, and planetary overlays—emphasize structure and control. The typography interacts seamlessly with the environment, emerging from behind rock formations and celestial elements. This style evokes a sense of calculated precision, inspired by high-tech visual storytelling.
Both styles integrate heavy footage treatment, with stylized color grading and graphic overlays shaping the narrative. One leans into chaos, the other into control—both designed to immerse viewers in the peril and promise of deep-space exploration.