Experience our design
STINGERS
Stinger (n.) — A short, punchy video designed to hit like a gut-punch or a firework finale. It’s the moment that lands the emotion, drives the message home, and makes your audience feel the weight of the story—fast. Whether opening an event or closing a campaign, a good stinger doesn’t just play—it resonates.
Global Energy Forum 2025
Created for the inaugural Global Energy Forum in Washington, DC, this opener traces the evolution of energy—from its primal origins in the earth to its central role in modern geopolitics and the fight for a sustainable future. More than just power plants and pipelines, the video frames energy as the lifeblood of civilization: a force that shapes economies, fuels progress, and demands global cooperation.
Global Energy Forum 2025 - The Opener in the room
A short video of how the stinger played out in venue.
Distinguished Leadership Awards 2025
Created for the Atlantic Council’s flagship gala, this video kicks off the night with energy and elegance. Using bold branding, upbeat jazz, and dynamic motion, it celebrates the year’s honorees while setting the tone for an evening of recognition, diplomacy, and style.
Global Citizen Awards Opener
This dynamic video introduces the Atlantic Council’s flagship gala during UN General Assembly week—the Global Citizen Awards—in New York. Blending elegant branding, warm visuals, and smooth tempo, it honors world-class changemakers while celebrating the enduring impact of global citizenship.
Transatlantic Forum 2024: Stinger
Set in the charged atmosphere of New York City, this stinger for the 2024 Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics channels the mounting pressure on the global economic order. Through sharp motion design, bold typography, and layered archival textures, the video spotlights rising tensions—from fractured supply chains to contested financial systems. It frames the forum as a space where economic power, political will, and allied strategy collide—marking a pivotal moment for transatlantic coordination in an age of systemic uncertainty.
BRUSSELS FORUM 24
The Transatlantic Bond, The Democratic Project, and Security: A Choice form a triptych of thematic “stinger” videos for each day of the event. Each explores the ideological and institutional foundations of the modern Western order. Created during a moment of deep geopolitical upheaval, these films serve as a rallying cry to preserve—and evolve—the values forged in the aftermath of World War II: unity, democracy, and collective defense.
I. The Transatlantic Bond
This film charts the hard-won unity between Europe and the United States, born through war, tested by history, and revived in the face of new threats. It’s a portrait of resilience, reminding us that the transatlantic relationship is not a given—it’s a commitment.
III. Security: A Choice
This film traces the deliberate creation of NATO as a shield for democratic nations after WWII. In today’s landscape, it reframes security not as a static condition, but as an active, shared decision in defense of freedom.
II. The Democratic Project
Democracy is a choice, not a default. This piece explores both the miracle of democratic governance and the forces—old and new—that seek to dismantle it.
Global Energy Forum 2023: Originally created for the inaugural Global Energy Forum during COP28 in Dubai, this first iteration begins a multi-year exploration of energy’s evolving story. Rooted in the rhythms of nature and the ingenuity of human ambition, it traces our pursuit of energy from the earth’s elemental forces to the forefront of global innovation. Framed by the UAE’s unique position at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, the video introduces energy not just as a utility—but as a unifying force that connects people, powers progress, and shapes the future we choose to build.
Transatlantic Forum 2023: Opening Video
Set against the high-stakes backdrop of Berlin, this dynamic opener for the 2023 Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics captures the urgency and complexity of a new global economic era. With kinetic motion design, bold type, and archival news textures, the video distills the forum’s core themes—economic statecraft, systemic competition, and transatlantic resilience—into a powerful visual narrative. It sets the tone for a gathering where policy meets pressure, and where the future of global economic order is up for debate.
DFR Lab: Opener
This kinetic burner drops you into the Atlantic Council’s 360/Open Summit—where digital warfare, disinformation, and democracy collide. With vaporwave‑tinged techno beats, glitchy neon motion graphics, and animations synced to hard‑hitting themes, it electrifies the danger and urgency of a hyperconnected world under siege.
2022 Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center Forum
This dynamic opener for the 2022 Forum on Global Resilience weaves bold graphics, archival footage, and sharp editing into a powerful call to action—framing resilience as a vital response to climate, conflict, and crisis. Our role: design, editing, post, and footage sourcing.
Brussels Forum 2022: Stinger
This high-energy stinger for Brussels Forum 2022 harks back to the foundations of the transatlantic alliance, blending historic imagery with bold visuals and motion to underscore shared values, enduring partnerships, and the evolving challenges of global leadership.
Transatlantic Forum on US-European Geoeconomics 2022 - Stinger
This dynamic stinger introduced the inaugural Frankfurt Forum on US-European Geoeconomics, tracing the rise of economic statecraft as a defining tool of transatlantic power. With bold graphics, archival textures, and fast-paced motion design, the video sets the tone for urgent conversations on trade, technology, and the shifting balance of global influence. As the first iteration of what would become the Transatlantic Forum, it established geoeconomics as the new arena of allied strategy.
Brussels Forum 2021: Stinger
This stinger for Brussels Forum 2021 sets the tone for urgent conversations on democracy under pressure. From disinformation and digital authoritarianism to climate shocks, pandemics, and rising geopolitical rivalry, the video frames a world where democratic values face threats on every front—and where transatlantic unity is more vital than ever.
Thematic Videos
THEMATICS
Thematics (n.) — Targeted, high-impact videos built to drill deep on a single issue, moment, or message. Whether highlighting a policy flashpoint, amplifying a frontline story, or marking a critical event, a thematic isn’t just informative—it’s immersive. Designed to frame the stakes and ignite focus, these pieces bring clarity, emotion, and momentum to complex narratives. One theme. One message. Delivered with precision.
Cities Fortifying Democracy
Client: The German Marshall Fund
Location: United States
NATO 2030 Short
Made for NATO, this dynamic video launches the NATO 2030 agenda by spotlighting the next generation of leaders. Featuring young voices and bold visuals, it calls for a modern, united Alliance ready to face new threats—from hybrid warfare to global disruption.
GMF Year in Review – Highlight Reel
This 2022 Year in Review video for the German Marshall Fund captures a year defined by rupture and resolve. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine shattering Europe’s postwar assumptions, the video traces GMF’s rapid response—mobilizing policy, partnerships, and people to defend democracy and support Ukraine. Through powerful visuals, key moments, and a clear narrative, it marks a turning point: where the threat was real, the stakes were global, and the transatlantic response had to rise to meet history.
Transatlantic Forum 2024 – Highlight Reel
In New York, the 2024 Forum reached full stride—bringing together the sharpest minds across finance, government, and diplomacy to face a brutally unstable economic landscape. This highlight reel hits the high points: talks on dollar dominance, industrial policy, digital currencies, and transatlantic investment in green technology and defense. Punctuated by big names and bigger stakes, the video captures how geoeconomics has moved from niche to necessity—and how the U.S. and Europe are learning to act not just in alignment, but in lockstep.
Transatlantic Forum 2023 – Highlight Reel
Filmed in Berlin, the 2023 Forum captured a sharper, more coordinated transatlantic front—where policy leaders, central bankers, and private sector giants tackled the next phase of systemic economic rivalry. This highlight reel cuts through to the core themes: harnessing trade policy for strategic ends, countering authoritarian economic leverage, and redefining resilience for a multipolar world. With kinetic cuts and layered archival textures, the video underscores how the Forum evolved into a geopolitical pressure valve—where economics isn't just discussed, it's deployed.
Transatlantic Forum 2022 – Highlight Reel
In its inaugural year, the 2022 Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics marked the beginning of a bold new dialogue between U.S. and European leaders on the intersection of security and economics. Set against the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine and a shifting global order, this highlight reel captures the urgency of that moment—spotlighting frank conversations on sanctions, energy dependence, supply chain resilience, and the need to weaponize finance with democratic intent. The reel weaves together key voices and sharp visuals to show a transatlantic alliance waking up to the age of economic statecraft.
Atlantic Council’s Future of UK Banking and Finance - Highlight
This highlight reel from the Atlantic Council’s Future of UK Banking and Finance event captures key moments from leaders reshaping Britain’s financial future. With insights from top government and industry voices, the video distills urgent debates on market reform, global competitiveness, and London’s evolving role in a post-Brexit world. Fast-paced edits and bold visuals drive home one message: the future of finance is being written now.
CBDC Announcement
This announcement video introduces key themes around Central Bank Digital Currencies, including innovation, regulation, and global coordination. Designed and produced by our team, the video uses clean motion graphics and modern design to frame the conversation and invite participants into a timely discussion on the future of digital currency.
Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center at COP26 - Highlight
This highlight video showcases the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center’s work at COP26, where resilience took center stage in the global climate agenda. Featuring on-the-ground footage, key speakers, and community-driven solutions, the video captures the Center’s commitment to reaching one billion people with resilience solutions by 2030. Designed to inspire action, it reflects the urgent need to protect lives, build adaptive systems, and center human resilience in the climate conversation.
ADL Concert Against Hate 2023: Opening Video
This opening video for the 2023 ADL Concert Against Hate slams you into the hard truth: antisemitism is back with a vengeance. Through unflinching editing, stark archival visuals, and a narrative pulsing with urgency, the video lays bare how hatred isn’t just creeping—it’s exploding across communities. Our role: graphic design, editing, post-production, and excavation of archival footage that refuses to let us ignore what's happening.
Reimagining Democracy Pt. 1
Client: The German Marshall Fund
Location: Brussels
Reimagining Democracy Pt. 2
Client: The German Marshall Fund
Location: Brussels
Event Series Intro: Democracy
Client: The German Marshall Fund
Location: Washington D.C.
Event Series Intro: Rising China
Client: The German Marshall Fund
Location: Washington D.C.
2022 Global Citizen Awards, tribute videos
Honoring: President Sauli Niinistö – for leading Finland toward NATO and strengthening transatlantic unity. President Joko Widodo – for advancing global cooperation and inclusive growth on the G20 stage. Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson – for guiding Sweden’s historic NATO bid amid rising threats. Sundar Pichai – for global tech leadership and humanitarian support through Alphabet and Google. Forest Whitaker – for championing peacebuilding and youth empowerment around the world.
Each video featured bold visuals, archival footage, and custom motion design to capture the essence of their global impact.
Kids in Need of Defense - Child Migrant Storytelling
This video, produced for Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), tells the powerful story of a child migrating alone in search of safety, dignity, and a future. Through intimate visuals, first-person narration, and thoughtful pacing, the piece humanizes the journey faced by thousands of unaccompanied minors. It highlights KIND’s critical role in providing legal protection, advocacy, and hope—framing the story not just as one of hardship, but of resilience and the right to be heard.
David Ignatius on the GMF-Led Study Tour to Warsaw and Kyiv
In this three-part video series, acclaimed journalist David Ignatius reflects on his journey with the German Marshall Fund to Warsaw and Kyiv. Through candid commentary and firsthand insights, Ignatius explores the political stakes, human stories, and strategic urgency surrounding Ukraine’s defense and Europe’s role in supporting it. Shot on location during a high-level study tour, the series offers a powerful window into a region under siege and the resilience of its people.
Rafik Hariri Awards:
This video introduces the honorees of the inaugural Rafik Hariri Awards, celebrating individuals whose leadership and service reflect the late Prime Minister’s enduring legacy. Through a blend of archival material, elegant motion design, and powerful storytelling, the piece highlights each awardee’s contributions to peace, prosperity, and democratic values across the Middle East and the world.
LED GRAPHICS
The Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum 2025
We were there for its powerful U.S. debut in Washington, D.C.—a defining moment for the Forum and its global brand. With the stakes high and the spotlight on, our team was tasked with creating a dynamic visual identity for the room that matched the ambition of the event. From bold screen content to immersive design, every element was crafted to elevate the Forum’s presence and deliver an atmosphere worthy of its first-ever appearance on U.S. soil. The result: a packed house, global headlines, and a new energy epicenter firmly planted in Washington.
From design
To Reality
Global Energy Forum 2025 - Example KV Look
Client: The Atlantic Council
About: The LED installation for the Global Energy Forum 2025 featured a fully immersive, 180-degree wraparound design—standing 12 feet high and stretching over 40 feet across the room. Split into multiple curved segments, the screen created a panoramic visual experience that surrounded the audience and elevated the energy of the space. While slight alignment shifts appear on camera due to the segmented structure, the content was precisely mapped to align perfectly in-room—delivering a seamless, high-impact design that brought the Forum’s brand and message to life on a massive scale.
Global Energy Forum 2025 - Example 2KV Look
Client: The Atlantic Council
About:
The entire visual system for the Global Energy Forum 2025 was built from scratch, rooted in a custom design language inspired by a key architectural landmark of the host city, Washington, D.C. This visual motif shaped everything—from LED motion graphics and color palettes to typography and screen transitions—creating a cohesive identity that tied the global energy conversation to a distinct sense of place. The result was a bold, modern look that honored the city’s legacy while projecting the Forum’s forward-focused mission across every pixel of the experience.
Global Energy Forum 2025
Created for the inaugural Global Energy Forum in Washington, DC, this opener traces the evolution of energy—from its primal origins in the earth to its central role in modern geopolitics and the fight for a sustainable future. More than just power plants and pipelines, the video frames energy as the lifeblood of civilization: a force that shapes economies, fuels progress, and demands global cooperation. But the catch? This is just the center screen, for the in room experience, we mapped out an entire visual landscape across all 180 degree of screen… see below.
Global Energy Forum 2025 - The Opener in the room
A short video of how the stinger played out in venue.
Global Energy Forum 2025 - Short Stinger
Client: The Atlantic Council
About:
This short stinger was designed as a visual reset between sessions at the Global Energy Forum 2025. Using bold motion graphics, dynamic transitions, and the Forum’s custom visual language, the video served as a clean break—signaling shifts in tone and content while maintaining energy in the room. Inspired by the event’s city-specific design system, the stinger echoed key architectural elements in motion and color, creating continuity across sessions without overwhelming the audience.
Global Energy Forum 2025 - Breakdown of each screen
Client: The Atlantic Council
About:
See how we designed for each screen. C-Center and out left and right in 4 custom sized screen sets.
Global Energy Forum 2025 - Transition
Client: The Atlantic Council
About: Custom transitions for livestream and visual assets - based on the 3D model design from the original Key Visual.
Global Energy Forum 2025 - Livestream Hold
Client: The Atlantic Council
About: Visual section playing out during livestream holds, a set of KV, Transition, Partner Loops and Thematic Imagery
The German Marshall Fund's Brussels Forum 2024 | Brussels, Belgium: Two-day event featuring 3 LED displays and a ring of large LCD televisions. The event was held in a historic location, Brussel’s first film theater, restored as an event venue.
Our design opted to play into the existing architecture of the theater, “bringing the space back to life” with a focus on lighting and early 20th century inspired color. The dramatic effect of the space was heightened with a smoke machine to sculpt the lighting arrays. The event took place on two stages, the main theater stage, and an extension “in the round” where most of our panels took place. This dynamism was heightened with specific stage instructions for our moderators and guests.
Visually, we utilized the large LED monitors to create a circle perspective look, reminiscent of last year’s design but updated to better fit the space. Rather than a full 360 around screen array, we cut down the screen sizes to better fit the theater. A logo based overlay animation was set to play over a collection of over 50 different thematic video sets based on session content.
This event was heavily video focused, with 3 different short films showcased throughout the event. This was another stylistic choice as the venue was originally a movie theater built in the 1920’s. 3 videos were conference theme setters. These played heavily on archival footage sourced from WW2 news reels and documentaries, footage that very well may have been shown in this room back in the mid 20th century. Below 5 films produced by BZ Design.
The Transatlantic Bond, The Democratic Project, and Security: A Choice form a triptych exploring the ideological and institutional foundations of the modern Western order. Created during a moment of deep geopolitical upheaval, these films serve as a rallying cry to preserve—and evolve—the values forged in the aftermath of World War II: unity, democracy, and collective defense.
I. The Transatlantic Bond
This film charts the hard-won unity between Europe and the United States, born through war, tested by history, and revived in the face of new threats. It’s a portrait of resilience, reminding us that the transatlantic relationship is not a given—it’s a commitment.
II. The Democratic Project
Democracy is a choice, not a default. This piece explores both the miracle of democratic governance and the forces—old and new—that seek to dismantle it.
III. Security: A Choice
This film traces the deliberate creation of NATO as a shield for democratic nations after WWII. In today’s landscape, it reframes security not as a static condition, but as an active, shared decision in defense of freedom.
The Atlantic Councils Global Energy Forum, 2023 | Dubai, UAE: Two day event with two screen layouts. 1 16X9 screen and another ultrawide wrap around 180 degree screen.
Global Energy Forum 2023: Originally created for the inaugural Global Energy Forum during COP28 in Dubai, this first iteration begins a multi-year exploration of energy’s evolving story. Rooted in the rhythms of nature and the ingenuity of human ambition, it traces our pursuit of energy from the earth’s elemental forces to the forefront of global innovation. Framed by the UAE’s unique position at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, the video introduces energy not just as a utility—but as a unifying force that connects people, powers progress, and shapes the future we choose to build.
Opening Video 360 Thematic Imagery
Client: The Atlantic Council
Location: Dubai
Event Introduction Stinger: This piece is composed of thematically connected video content, sourced from stock websites and generated with AI tools such as Midjourney and RunwayML. It created an immersive "in-the-round" experience for the audience, ensuring that most seating positions offered a complete panoramic view of the imagery.
Darker Key Visual Look
Thematic Design for room graphics pulling on the architectural centerpiece of COP28, the Al-Wasl dome
Location: Abu Dhabi
Lighter Key Visual Look
Allowing for brighter moods and scene shifts between sessions
Location: Abu Dhabi
Global Energy Forum 2023
Client: The Atlantic Council
Location: Dubai
270 degree screen array for wrap around graphics. Rectangular discolorations represent breaks between LED panels.
Global Energy Forum 2023 - Day Light
Client: The Atlantic Council
Location: Dubai
Mood Alteration of the 270 degree screen array for wrap around graphics. Rectangular discolorations represent breaks between LED panels.
The German Marshall Fund's Brussels Forum | Brussels, Belgium: Single-day event featuring 3 LED displays:1 main LED and 2 side screens to create a box of visuals. We then use a consistent graphic overlay over full screen wrap images of Ukraine to bring our audience "to the ground" in various regions of the country and conflict. Designed for a war in Ukraine focused event.
General LED Look
Client: The German Marshall Fund
Location: Brussels
Small black bars on top of the left and right of image indicate the lower height of the side screens in comparison to the Main screen. A constraint of the room.
General Look - Livestream
Client: The German Marshall Fund
Location: Brussels
Small black bars on top of the left and right of image indicate the lower height of the side screens in comparison to the Main screen. A constraint of the room.
LED with Thematic Imagery Application
Client: The German Marshall Fund
Location: Brussels
LED Graphic Overlay with 3 sided view of a destroyed apartment block in Izyum. Accompanying a discussion on the extent of damage to civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
LED Color Graphics with Thematic Imagery Application
Client: The German Marshall Fund
Location: Brussels
Reflects options to change graphic looks over imagery in real time.
The Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Forum on Geoeconomics | Berlin, Germany: Single-day event featuring a primary LED display. We developed a glass shard concept inspired by the original event logo (note: the logo was not designed by us). We animated the glass shards opening over thematic imagery for each session.
The Atlantic Council's Transatlantic Forum on Global Geoeconomics: Intro Loop
Client: The Atlantic Council
Location: Berlin
General Intro Loop for the event, showcasing iconic Berlin landmarks to emphasize the event's location.
Transatlantic Forum 2024: Stinger
Set in the charged atmosphere of New York City, this stinger for the 2024 Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics channels the mounting pressure on the global economic order. Through sharp motion design, bold typography, and layered archival textures, the video spotlights rising tensions—from fractured supply chains to contested financial systems. It frames the forum as a space where economic power, political will, and allied strategy collide—marking a pivotal moment for transatlantic coordination in an age of systemic uncertainty.
The Atlantic Council's Transatlantic Forum on Global Geoeconomics: Thematic Session Designs
Client: The Atlantic Council
Location: Berlin
Thematic designs tailored to each session's topic seamlessly loop in and out of the main event's aesthetic.
Digital Forensics Lab 360 O/S, 2022 | Brussels Belgium: Two day event single LED design in large ballroom.
DFR LAB, 2022 - Stinger
Client: The Atlantic Council
Location: Brussels
Digital Forensics Lab 360 O/S: Main Look Alterations
Client: The Atlantic Council
Location: Brussels
The Atlantic Councils Global Energy Forum, 2022 | Abu Dhabi, UAE: Two day event multiple stage design in large ballroom. Half moon split screen main LED + two smaller stages with 16:9 format + LED walkway entry.
Main LED Infinite Loop, Spread out across 1 main LED backdrop and 8 slivers of screen.
Client: The Atlantic Council
Location: Abu Dhabi
Left Tunnel LED Wall
Client: The Atlantic Council
Location: Abu Dhabi
Right Tunnel LED Wall
Client: The Atlantic Council
Location: Abu Dhabi
GEF 2022: Stage 2&3 LED Walls
Client: The Atlantic Council
Location: Abu Dhabi