Troika Discovery ChannelTroika Design Group, a strategic branding and design agency, has teamed up with Discovery Channel to refresh the network’s brand communication and identity. The comprehensive package, which includes image spots, show promos, navigational tools and upfront sales tapes, hit air with the launch of "Deadliest Catch" on April 12th. With an unprecedented amount of new show launches, Discovery Channel looked to refocus their well-established brand by connecting viewers directly to the talent, letting the talent take them on an energetic and immersive journey into the personality of the network and its shows. In doing so, Discovery established a bright, fun and optimistic identity that truly reflects the character of its talent and programming. All refreshed elements were created with the goal of tightening the network’s identity to create a common vision across all promotion, from blue chip special launches to weekly episodic promos.

To visually express the network’s brand values, Troika Design Group built an identity around the immersive world of Discovery Channel’s programming and talent. Two live-action shoots were conducted to capture icons that represent the talent’s world – fire extinguishers for "Mythbusters," cockroaches for "Dirty Jobs" - and signature elements were developed with heavily graphic, documentary-style animations featuring rack focuses, grain and dust particles. Fast-paced editorial cuts and upbeat music were incorporated into image spots, network IDs and promos and to lend a sense of fun and energy to the spots.

Troika was also tapped to conceptualize, write, design, animate and edit multiple sales tapes for Discovery Channel’s upfront presentations. Each tape was specifically developed to take advantage of the network’s custom three-screen setup, showcase the network’s new brand identity, and incorporate relevant sales information for prospective advertisers. The goal was to present a reinvigorated and consistent Discovery brand.

Said Reid Thompson, creative director at Troika, “As longtime fans of Discovery it has been a pleasure to dig in with the team to bring refreshed clarity to the identity. Goals included adding new energy, making the worlds of shows more accessible and creating a graphic language that unites the programming. It was important to connect the shows back to the brand and to establish visual tools that reflect the network’s optimism, curiosity and hands on approach to entertainment.”

Discovery’s new identity was developed by a team of over 15 creatives and producers at Troika and was delivered in an easily updatable toolkit format. The project was created in Adobe After Effects, Maxon Cinema 4D and Apple Final Cut Pro.