Finding Manny
An empowering story of optimism through the darkest of moments
- Client
Long Trek Home Productions
- Services
Discovery & Strategy, Branding, Art Direction, Poster Design, Visual Design, UI & UX Design, Web Development, Launch & Post-Launch Improvements
A documentary inspired by the book ‘Carved in Stone’ — a personal memoir of Holocaust survivor Manny Drukier.
Having narrowly escaped the war by jumping from a Nazi death train at age 16, Manny found refuge at a home for orphans and displaced children. 71 years later, he returns to the orphanage, which has since become a grade school, to share his story with the next generation. Manny must now revisit the places of his darkest memories, to reconcile the past and educate the future.
By sharing Manny’s story and its powerful theme of optimism, the filmmakers’ purpose is to make “never again” have meaning for the next generation, getting the film in schools and community organizations.
Consistency and continuity were important for designing the key art, the website and the digital media property for Finding Manny. Therefore, a brand system that visually represented the film was developed through close collaboration with the producers and the director.
The Visual Language
Manny’s story is uplifting and inspiring. The established visual language is bold yet approachable. For authenticity, typeface pairing was picked from around the same time (1945). Layout, motion blur, and transitions add depth and a sense of exploration. Colour palette consists of low saturated warm tones to express an emotional connection.
The Key Art
A young Manny is seen behind an older Manny indicating an intimate story of personal development—a look at past and present. A smile on their faces and a warm inner glow unites them to represent Manny’s unwavering optimism and strong will standing across time. The poster seeks to capture the essence of the film in the simplest form.
“The branding was able to encompass the tone and effectively communicate the thematic elements of the film.”
—Kacey Cox, Film Director
The Interactive Story Website
The interactive site expands Manny’s story following a narrative format. Horizontal scrolling with parallax elements provides depth and encourages exploration. The user will find extra videos and information regarding the topics and the visited places in the film. At the end of each section they will be presented with a related question.
The Film Website
Website features details of the film such as the goal and the purpose behind it. Users can also donate to help the cause.
“When a large US public broadcaster was browsing for new titles to consider, they picked ‘Finding Manny’ amongst over 200 other films. When asked why they chose that one, they responded that the key art stood out from all the rest.”
—Long Trek Productions