Case study - Harriet the Spy x Seismic productions

Animator, Designer, Editor

Project Overview:

For the Apple TV+ animated series "Harriet the Spy," our team was tasked with developing a bold and dynamic title sequence that complemented the show’s unique aesthetic while ensuring a seamless integration into the overall edit. This project involved multiple rounds of concept development, typography exploration, and motion design refinements to achieve the final look.

Harriet the Spy- Titles + edit

Project Goals:

Develop a title sequence that feels handwritten, playful, and in sync with Harriet’s world of curiosity and observation.

  1. Align with the show’s classic book-inspired aesthetic while keeping it fresh and modern.

  2. Create a seamless blend between the animated footage and the motion-designed titles.

We went through several versions before landing on the final look, experimenting with:

  • Typography: Handwritten vs. cutout-style fonts that felt like Harriet’s personal notes.

  • Text Animation: Stop-motion inspired movements vs. fluid, natural handwriting reveals.

  • Integration with Footage: Testing different placements, motion paths, and blending techniques.

Through rounds of feedback, we refined the style to feel natural within the world while maintaining readability.

Iterative Title Design Process

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Editing Approach:

  • Focused on pacing and rhythm to ensure the titles appeared at just the right moments.

  • Matched the energy of the series by timing movements with key beats in the animation.

Title Animation:

  • Used a rough, sketchbook-like motion style to reflect Harriet’s adventurous personality.

  • Incorporated organic transitions that mimicked the feel of writing or drawing in a journal.

  • Ensured the text felt tangible and interactive, as if Harriet herself had scribbled it in real-time.

Final Look & Impact

Successfully created a title sequence that feels hand-crafted and authentic to Harriet’s world.

  1. Balanced playfulness and sophistication, appealing to both younger audiences and longtime fans of the book.

  2. The final result is an immersive experience that enhances the storytelling, seamlessly blending typography, motion, and animation.

Team Members:

  • Title animation: Michelle Garcia + Stephen K

  • Producer: Jon Converse

  • Editor supervisor: Mike J.

  • Client: Seismic Productions