Film Title Design

Here are a few films I've watched about film title design. It's a format that I have become increasingly interested in after attending a seminar in Prague. Having to display typography, introducing a film are things that lend itself to animation and it\s interesting to see how this has been developed.

Sky One documentary from 1994 featuring some great title designs, plus fascinating insights into their work from designers Randall Balsmeyer, Mimi Everett, Nina Saxon, and film director Michael Lehmann.





Saul Bass revolutionised the opening credits of film with the man with the golden arm and anatomy of a murderer. OThis opened the style of colour animation and introductions with thmemed imagery.

Nina Sax created Back to the future and Forrest Gump whereas BalsMyerEverett worked with Spike Lee. The titles need to establish a mood, might have some back story and hints to th film to follow. They either have to treat footage already shot by the director or completely start from scratch. It helps to see the film beforehand and can be allowed anything from 6 months to 6 weeks.

Short Channel 4 documentary from 2001 featuring interviews with designer Karin Fong, producer Chip Houghton and Cooper himself.
Gives a nice insight into what drew Cooper to working in film titles in the first place, the team's working methods, and where they get their inspiration




Kyle Cooper wanted to bring film titles up to the speed and typographical skill of music videos, which was often difficult to do in film resolution. The company also created interesting commercials that involved moving round the architecture of a stylised city.


Here is just a collection of 25 film titles, I don;t think that these are particularly the 25 greatest but it has a great insight into the scope of the medium.