Inside Clans is a two-part investigative documentary exploring the hidden alliances, power structures, and escalating violence of criminal clans in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It was produced by megaherz for the German public tv channel ZDFinfo.
In close collaboration with the director and producer I developed a visual system for the documentary, including the opener, lower thirds, infographics, and animated story sequences. The main goal was to create a cohesive visual framework for a documentary combining diverse sources such as interviews, archival material, and atmospheric footage.

My Roles

Concept & Look Development: Visual direction and style exploration 
Pre-Visualization: Storyboarding and animatics
Design and Animation: 2D/3D motion design, typography, and compositing
Creative Direction: Coordination of external illustration and animation contributors

Tools: After Effects, Premiere Pro, Cinema 4D

Creating a Cohesive Visual Language

To connect a wide range of documentary material, I developed a visual system spanning the opener, broadcast package, maps, and animated storytelling. Consistent typography, motion, and graphic elements create a cohesive visual identity across both episodes.

Illustrated Storytelling

Several key events described in the documentary could not be shown through existing footage. Rather than relying on reenactments, these stories were told through a series of illustrated sequences.
This approach allowed sensitive and violent events to be depicted in a respectful yet engaging way. Building on the established visual language of the documentary, I developed the concept for the sequences and guided their realization together with an illustrator and animator.

Visualizing Historical and Geopolitical Context

Many aspects of the documentary rely on historical and geopolitical context that cannot be understood through interviews alone. To support these explanations, a series of animated maps was developed to visualize geographic relationships and historical developments across different regions and time periods.
The maps help translate complex information into a clear visual form, making it easier to connect past events with the present-day situation.

Process

Credits

Client: ZDFinfo
Production: megaherz, just5media
Producer: Jonas Gernstl

Director: Thomas Schwendemann

Art Director: Markus Feder

Additional Animation: Alisa Wimmer

Animated Story Sequences
Illustration: Paul Grabowski
Animation: Tim Hilbrand

Originally broadcast by ZDFinfo under the title Blutsbande – Clans in NRW.