Create a short film about design at NYU Abu Dhabi. The film will look at the evolution of NYUAD through the lens of design, and highlight the recent DESIGN WORKS exhibition that showcased the work of students and how they have contributed to developing the identity of the university.

I was asked by Goffredo Puccetti, Assistant Professor of Practice of Visual Arts at NYU Abu Dhabi, to document the DESIGN WORKS exhibition. I saw the opportunity, however, to create a film that could really celebrate all the work that has been created by students for NYUAD, as well as for external clients. 

Embarking on this project also presented me with the opportunity to really delve into motion graphics and experiment with ways in which I could use graphics to not only accompany the narrative, but highlight all the incredible work that has been created by students. This film was important to me because I had taken a design class in my final semester at NYUAD, and it had completely opened my mind up to what design is and what it could be. 

I worked across Adobe Premiere, After Effects, Illustrator and Photoshop to realize this film. 

For a film about design, I wanted it to be captivating and be a work of design in itself. I settled on the concept of 'layers' as a unifying look for the graphics. I overlaid different elements together, and also used a grid itself as a recurring design element.

This project was a massive task. I scheduled all the interviews, conducted the interviews, filmed some of the shots, created all the graphics, and edited the whole film together. I also created the captions for the video. 

This project would not have been possible, however, without an amazing group of collaborators who each strived for nothing short of perfection.

Ethan David - Assistant Camera & Sound

Keira Simmons - Sound Editor & Mixer

Garreth Chan - Music 

This film was made possible with the generous support of the NYUAD Office of the Provost, NYUAD Public Affairs and Communications Office, and the NYUAD Dean of Arts & Humanities.

Special thanks as well to Goffredo Puccetti, Erin Collins, and all the students and faculty members I interviewed.