NRC – Archery Explainer

The Design

The final product was the result of a collaborative effort across multiple disciplines, including video, audio, design, and front-end development. This level of interdisciplinary teamwork is rare at NRC, but we successfully brought it to fruition. Despite this being my first major project, I played a key role in shaping its overall design direction and made all major decisions throughout the process.

Research: diving deep into archery

Before I could explain the sport to the user, I decided I had to fully immerse myself in the world of archery. I conducted thorough research to understand every aspect of the sport, from the rules and specialised equipment to the techniques required for execution. We collaborated with Dutch archer Steve Wijler, who was participating in the Olympic Games, and conducted an interview with him. Finally, I tried the sport myself to get a firsthand feel for it, ensuring that I could incorporate an authentic experience into the design.

Here I am practicing archery

Sketching and collaboration

At the start of the design process, I focused on sketching multiple ideas to clearly communicate my concepts with collaborators. This initial step was essential for aligning our visions and making any necessary adjustments. Key questions at this stage included: How can the information be organised into simple, easy-to-follow sections? How can the unique aspects of archery be showcased effectively? And how can video and text be integrated in a balanced way throughout the production?

Since the story prominently featured video footage of Steve Wijler, we conducted test shoots to explore optimal camera angles and shots. These test shots played a pivotal role in refining and advancing the design.

First rough sketches

Test footage

Designing for video and text

An essential aspect of the design was achieving a balance between video and text. While video served as the central focus, text played a crucial role in conveying essential details. I incorporated these elements into the production in two primary ways:

1. The video plays for a few seconds with text displayed on screen simultaneously. This approach ensured that the text took center stage, with the video acting as supportive background information.
2. The video plays for a few seconds before pausing, at which point the text appears on screen. This allowed the video to take precedence, with the text providing additional context or information afterward.

The video plays while text is on screen. After the video segment is over, the user can navigate to the next section.

Shooting video

Once the main elements of the design were finalised, it was time to film on location. I was responsible for directing the shots and ensuring we captured all the necessary footage. We scheduled two separate filming days: the first with archer Senna Roos, which served as a test run to try out the planned shots and identify any potential issues. The second day was the actual shoot with Steve Wijler. Thanks to the thorough preparation during the test shoot, the final filming went smoothly, with all challenges already addressed.

Still frames of day 1 and day 2. We adjusted to shooting in wider frames to ensure seamless adaptation for the mobile version.

Production

After finalizing the shoots, I worked closely with the editor, developer, and sound designer to align every element with the final design. I ensured timely delivery of assets, including visual design, video edits in Adobe Premiere Pro, and motion design in After Effects.

A major challenge was handling constant changes. Despite a clear plan, unexpected technical issues arose, as large productions like this are rare at NRC. Staying flexible and problem-solving were crucial to keep the project on track.

Curious about the final product?