Merchants of Change is a remote interview-style podcast developed entirely from the ground up. Created in partnership with Shift Group—a sales training agency specializing in transforming former college and professional athletes (and later, veterans) into disciplined, high-performing sales professionals—the project called for a complete visual and editorial identity.
Our work included designing a dynamic title sequence, producing each episode in a multi-camera format, and creating original cover and thumbnail artwork to give the series a consistent and compelling visual presence.
Building upon Branding Identity
The ethos and branding of Shift Group leaned sleek and bold—greyscale tones punctuated by a distinctive blue accent, with a visual sensibility rooted in the world of competitive sports. We aimed to extend that language across every creative touchpoint. From motion graphics to episode artwork, the goal was to build assets that felt integrated, not ancillary—amplifying the brand rather than sitting beside it.
Eye-Catching Custom Artwork
The artwork was designed to echo the high-contrast greyscale palette at the core of Shift Group’s branding.
We incorporated a textured basketball motif—rendered in stark black and white—to reinforce the sports-driven identity. Bold white block lettering provided clarity and impact, while a sharp blue border added a distinct, on-brand accent. The result was a visual system that remained striking and recognizable, even at thumbnail scale.
Episode-specific artwork expanded on this foundation by introducing clean whitespace and featuring each guest’s headshot in the same high-contrast black and white treatment. This approach created a sense of visual consistency across episodes while giving each one its own identity anchored by the guest.
A Title Sequence That Pops
One of the standout assets was the video title sequence. Since the client used their mission statement as the show’s intro, we aimed to elevate it with visuals that matched its tone and intensity. Drawing from the brand’s bold color identity and strong athletic roots, we crafted a sequence that feels like a sports apparel or energy drink spot—high-energy, fast-paced, and deliberately scrappy. Quick, kinetic cuts and sharp visual rhythm helped set the tone for each episode right from the start.
Multicam Interviews with Style
We transformed the typical static remote-call interview into something far more dynamic and polished. For Merchants of Change, we introduced thoughtful camera angle cuts that focused attention on the active speaker, along with split-screen layouts to better convey the energy of the dialogue. Custom on-screen animations—including branded lower thirds and subscribe prompts—added an additional layer of professionalism and brand cohesion.
