The latest work from Tendril’s motion team for ESPN’s coverage of the College Football Playoffs presents a stylistic departure from their previous work but retains all the visceral energy and visual innovation we’ve come to expect.

From the tendril team: “We purposefully pivoted from the elemental grit and raw power of our last engagement. Instead, we focused on the unique story each team carves, moment to moment, on their path to glory. In college football, strategy, character and split second decisions can make all the difference between agony and ascension.

“Time is of the essence for both the players and fans. As the seconds tick down, the tension mounts in a visceral way. We built our visual language on translating this immaterial currency into an actual field of expression – splicing, rippling, and relentlessly vibrating to the rhythm of the game.
 

“Our 3D animation is transformative, blending the fast intensity of each play with the graceful movement of every player. From raw aggression to a fluid, beautiful flow, the outcome is a unique visual language.”

 
“Our goal with typography was to blur the lines between 2D and 3D, creating a consistent, customizable system that played well together. Type needed to live above, below and throughout the animation.

“For the match designs, we drew inspiration from the fierce clash or teams on the field: the initial tension as the squads line, up followed by an explosive burst of action: moments where everything can change in an instant. Our animations for each individual team are aimed to capture their unique energy. We infused their culture, rituals, and fan connection into our design language, weaving their mutual journey together.

“Our 2D graphic library forms the cornerstone of it all. Organizing metaphors were informed by the most dog-eared pages in the football playbook and underscored by the sport’s signature intensity. The dynamism was largely inspired by the boundless energy of the fans, which college football wouldn’t be the same without.

“Our 3D animation is transformative, blending the fast intensity of each play with the graceful movement of every player. From raw aggression to a fluid, beautiful flow, the outcome is a unique visual language that captures both the tactical precision and the emotional power of the game.”
 
 

 
Client: ESPN
Creative Director: Tim O’Shaughnessy
Principal Creative Director: Brian Girardin
Senior Manager, Creative Strategy: Marissa Dempsey
Associate Art Director: Lisa Dinello
Concept Artist: Will Huang
Executive Producer: Mary Anne Ledesma
Producer: Joseph Lauria
Senior Manager, Creative Production: Mark Groeschner

Production: Tendril
ECD: Patrick Coffey
EP: Mary Anne Ledesma
Design Strategy: Roger Dario, Caroline Leong
Director: Danilo Silveira
Producer: Cody McFarland
Coordinator: Tyler Wong
Art Direction: Bihhel
Design: Sylvain Gaussens, Rafa Cezar, Luan Rossi, Murilo Maratello, Rafa Eifler, Aleks Liubas
Animation: Rafa Cezar, General Definition (Andrew Prousalis, Aaron Covrett, Charles), Paulo Schmidt, Fernando Catalano, Tyrel Scott
Type Design and 2D Animation: Rafa Cezar, Fernando Catalano
Houdini Sims: Sylvain Gaussens, General Definition (Andrew Prousalis, Aaron Covrett, Charles Trippe), Paulo Schmidt
Lighting/Render: General Definition (Andrew Prousalis, Aaron Covrett, Charles Trippe), Alex Veaux, Marcelo Souza, Tyrel Scott
Compositors: Corey Larson, Astrid Cardenas, André Chaves
Toolkit: Lovatt, Corey Larson, Rafa Cezar

Mix: Patrick Coffey