The Challenge
While working for CBS Interactive, Matthew McLemore, founder of Buzz Mack Media LLC, was approached to conceptualize and produce a set of dynamic banners. A communicator app captured the essence of Star Trek's exploratory spirit while adhering to brand guidelines for a promotional campaign. The primary hurdles included evoking the franchise's iconic futuristic visuals—think bold starfields, sleek starship silhouettes, and emblematic symbols like the Starfleet delta—without infringing on licensed elements, all within a tight timeline. McLemore needed to ensure the designs were versatile for web, social media, and print formats, while appealing to a multigenerational audience of devoted fans. Balancing high-fidelity creativity with practical usability constraints posed a significant test for the firm's innovative approach.
The Process
McLemore initiated the project with an ideation phase, pulling together franchise-approved design assets. He conducted a thorough analysis of Star Trek's visual language, referencing archival elements to inform mood boards and wireframes created in Adobe Illustrator. The core design phase involved iterative sketching in Photoshop, Wacom pen masking, and layering each element together by hand, focusing on color palettes that evoked cosmic blues and metallic accents for an immersive feel. Collaboration was key; as founder, he integrated feedback loops with stakeholders to refine compositions, ensuring each banner told a micro-story of discovery and adventure. The entire workflow emphasized efficiency, completing revisions in under two weeks through AI-assisted asset generation and agile design sprints.
The Results
The resulting Star Trek Banners collection delivered striking, high-impact visuals that enhanced promotional efforts. McLemore's designs not only met versatility requirements but also amplified brand resonance, with the banners deployed across digital channels to boost fan interaction. This project underscored Matthew’s design skills a timeless storytelling, solidifying McLemore's reputation as a forward-thinking designer capable of transforming conceptual challenges into engaging media experiences. The work has since become a portfolio highlight, inspiring future projects in experiential marketing.
