Creative brief

The BBC commissioned Science’s Greatest Mysteries, a 6-part factual series investigating the most profound unsolved questions in science, from deep space phenomena and ancient technology to seismic shifts in our understanding of the Earth itself. Each episode blends field reporting, interviews with leading experts, and archival exploration to challenge the audience’s sense of what we truly know.

The brief for Little Shadow was to deliver a full graphic system for the series: one that could elegantly support complex ideas while maintaining a visually cinematic feel. The challenge was balancing clarity and scientific precision with engaging storytelling, all within the visual identity of BBC’s high-end factual programming.

Our approach

We designed and delivered a comprehensive suite of broadcast graphics, including a bold opening title sequence, a family of lower thirds, and custom in-programme visuals tailored to specific scientific topics. The goal was to support, not distract from, the storytelling using animated design to clarify and enhance rather than overwhelm.

The title sequence established a visual tone rooted in mystery and discovery using layered textures, astronomical maps, and stylised archival references to suggest both history and front-line research. For in-programme graphics, we developed clear iconography and dynamic typographic animation to translate expert concepts into digestible, compelling visuals.

We worked closely with the editorial team to tailor each element to specific topics, from animated timelines showing astronomical events to layered reconstructions of archaeological sites. All work was completed through our London-based pipeline and delivered to spec for national broadcast.

The results

Delivered a full graphic package across six 1-hour episodes for prime-time BBC broadcast. The series attracted strong viewership and was praised internally for its visual cohesion and accessible storytelling, with our motion graphics helping audiences engage with complex topics across multiple disciplines.