ESPN

Production Design

Depth Monitor Virtual Display Project

The Depth Monitor Project involved collaborating with a small team of designers to develop innovative virtual monitors for cutting-edge technology known as the "Depth Monitor." The overall goal was to immerse viewers in a visually captivating environment that seamlessly integrated with the studio's surroundings and activities. This monitor aimed to provide viewers with a unique experience by creating a virtual scene, seamlessly expanding the studio space and integrating it with any and all sports news of the day. The primary focus of the project was to create a wallpaper design that can be used within this virtual monitors for the generic SportsCenter look, as well as any sports teams and franchises, such as, NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB and NHL. The Depth Monitor creates a parallax effect, which enhances the visual depth perception for the viewers, so we used highlights, shadows and layering of shapes to accentuate the depth of our design. The collaboration resulted in the successful development of the Depth Monitor, offering a unique and interactive way to engage with studio content and events through this innovative virtual scene.

After getting the design finalized, we then needed to ensure the other 17 designers on our team would be able to make any gallery design for a quick turnaround during live productions. Creating and using a script in Photoshop, we were able to automate the design process. The gallery consists of two 16:9 monitor sizes; one horizontal and one vertical. Replicating the initial horizontal design to be used in the vertical monitors took testing and revising. We worked with software engineers to test our graphics on ESPN’s GRACE platform, “which black boxes Unreal Engine and Disguise in a web interface that can also control DMX and live video inputs”. This helped us have an understanding that we needed to create even more depth, and remove the cut logos on the sides of the vertical monitors because the distance between them was further than the horizonal monitors.

Read about the successful launch here

A sizzle reel showcasing a handful of dynamic graphics I’ve created at ESPN. I have designed for multiple ESPN programs including, SportsCenter, Get Up, First Take, NFL Sunday Countdown, and the Madden ‘23 and Madden ‘24 Ratings show.