Gary is a powerful Peacock Original documentary exploring the life of Gary Coleman — from his meteoric rise on “Diff’rent Strokes” to the complex realities of adulthood lived in the public eye. The film examines fame, financial hardship, depression and the unanswered questions surrounding his tragic death at just 42. It required a visual language that was reflective, investigative and deeply human.
We were commissioned to develop and style the documentary, creating an evocative brand that carried through every graphic sequence. From the outset, we shaped an identity that felt contemplative rather than sensational — allowing the story to breathe while giving it a cohesive visual backbone.
Digital storytelling played a central role. We created retrospective and contemporary computer simulations of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, grounding Gary’s later years in the evolving online landscape. Key phone conversations were visualised through bespoke graphic waveforms, transforming crucial audio into a recurring visual motif that subtly reinforced the investigative thread.
To bring Gary closer to the audience, we animated his own illustrations, integrating them into the narrative so his voice and creativity remained present throughout. A substantial archive of stills was reimagined through extensive digital rostrum work, styled within a tactile contact-sheet film aesthetic. AI enhancements, retouching, film effects and generative expansion allowed us to respectfully restore and format imagery while preserving authenticity.
The result is a documentary where motion graphics do more than support — they shape the emotional experience. Gary demonstrates how thoughtful design can deepen empathy, clarify complexity and honour a life with care.
We’re proud to have helped define its visual voice, and we look forward to crafting similarly meaningful storytelling with future collaborators.
Looking for a creative partner who can shape bold, story-led visual identities? Discover how we work as a leading motion graphics company, crafting distinctive branding, titles and visual worlds for broadcast, streaming and beyond.
