The new crime drama City on Fire (based on the novel by Garth Risk Hallberg) hit Apple TV+ with hardcore typographic grit setting the tone in these main titles by Imaginary Forces CDs Karin Fong and Rob Slychuk.

From the IF team: “When a wealthy upstate family clashes with the underground music culture of Y2K New York City, we witness how long money can withstand the heat. We partnered with showrunners Stephanie Savage and Josh Schwartz, to introduce the murder mystery burning for answers.

“Juxtaposing the slow-burning dramatic soundtrack, we used whiteout, felt pens, and glue to hint at the coaliting evidence of a malicious crime. New York marquees made in bold hand-written type embrace the spirit of the gritty punk rock zine culture while we referenced street flyers of the Lower East Side. Making each credit feel like its own poster, the Xerox machine served as a source to illuminate the frames.

“Challenged by finding the balance between dark and light themes within the series, we sparked a conversation around civil unrest post 9/11 and gentrification.”
 
 

 
Client: Apple TV+
Creator: Stephanie Savage, Josh Schwartz

Production: Imaginary Forces
Creative Directors: Karin Fong, Rob Slychuk
Designer/Animator: Henry Chang, Max Strizich, Anna Chen, Rob Slychuk
Designer: Kathy Liang
Editor: Lexi Gunvaldson
Additional Illustration: Sara Gunnarsdóttir
Intern: Karry Lee
Senior Creative Producer: Renee Robson
Coordinator: Jackson Kerr

Music: Jason Hill