Study
/
FUI
/
Identity
Severance: Study
/ About the project
This forensic technical study is a deep dive into the "mysterious and important" design language of the Apple TV+ series, Severance. Driven by the show's unique retro-futuristic aesthetic, I undertook the challenge of rebuilding the interface from the ground up as a functional, expression-driven design system in After Effects.
/ Credits
Client:
Self
Role:
Lead Motion Designer & Technical Artist
Tools
After Effects, Sketch, AEUX, Trapcode Form
/ Year
2022
01
The Aesthetic Logic
Matching "Lumon OS"
With no source assets, I performed frame-by-frame analysis of the series to reverse-engineer the specific easing curves and interaction timing that define the show's 1-bit CRT look.
Systemic Workflow: Designed initial UI layouts in Sketch and utilized AEUX for a non-destructive bridge into After Effects.
Production-Ready Rigging: To manage thousands of data layers, I wrote extensive Expressions and utilized AE Global Renamer 2 to maintain a professional-grade, scalable pre-composition structure.
Physical Integration: Finalized the study with high-fidelity tracking and compositing to seat the UI onto a physical terminal, achieving a realistic "in-camera" feel.
02
Procedural Data Systems
To achieve the "alive" look of the data without creating visual chaos, I moved away from manual keyframing and toward procedural animation.
The Displacement Rig:
Utilized Trapcode Form driven by fractal displacement fields. By restricting displacement to specific axes, I ensured particles drifted organically without clipping through one another.
Z-Space Navigation Architecture:
Emulating the software’s deep-zoom required a custom camera rig. By pushing a camera through Z-space, I maintained control over depth and parallax, allowing for grounded navigation through the data grid.
Custom "Rolodex":
The folder selection cards are customizable. Meaning, you can start with any letter or number and the following tabs adjust automatically. You can add as many files as you want within each folder too.
03
The Outcome
From Technical Study to Industry Validation
The result was a production-ready MDR terminal template that functioned with the same internal logic as the original series assets. The project served as a definitive case study in FUI reconstruction and sparked significant engagement within the professional design community.
Peer Recognition: The project’s accuracy was validated by industry peers, including those with direct connections to the show's production, who noted the precision of the technical recreation. They shared that what you see in the show is real software the actors can play with.
Creative Connection: Sharing the process behind the rig led to high-level discussions regarding the intersection of retro-aesthetics and modern motion engineering.
Design Rigor: Ultimately, the project proved that a meticulous, "forensic" approach to design can bridge the gap between fan exploration and professional-grade technical execution.
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