Twin Peaks

Client: Showtime

Agency: Beutler Ink

The show, which features an ensemble cast including Kyle MacLachlan, Lara Flynn Boyle, Sheryl Lee, and David Lynch, follows an investigation into the murder of the town's homecoming queen Laura Palmer. Twin Peaks is equal parts detective fiction, supernatural elements, and camp, a recipe that gained a devout cult following since its release.

I had the opportunity to work with Showtime to create original content and boost user engagement for the last season of Twin Peaks through a series of character profiles for their social media channels in the weeks leading up to the show's release.

The Process

The concept I had pitched for the graphics series was to have the viewer be a part of the investigation. Each graphic would feel like they had walked onto a crime scene, observing the evidence. Keeping the client and audience in mind, I'd push the concept further by including easter eggs specific to each character, piquing the casual observer's curiosity and driving the excitement of the die-hard fans.

There were a few challenges presented when initially starting this project. The first one was that I had never seen the show before, so I was in for a real treat getting to experience these characters and the storyline for the first time. Understanding the die-hard fan base and cult following of the show, I was excited by the challenge and allure of getting to know each character on a deeper level.

While colleagues that were fans allowed for quick cross-checks, due diligence and curiosity required a deep dive into fan-based forums and Wikipedia to ensure each graphic was accurate and embodied the spirit of each character.

The next challenge was the lack of assets available. Having confidence in my photography and compositing abilities, I took it upon myself to find the props needed for each shoot, sourcing items like sunglasses from Amazon, pins from eBay, and numerous trips to the local donut shop; props kept disappearing!

The Character Profiles

The Results

Icon Set

Taking some of the most iconic moments of the series, this set of stylized illustrations were used in the RFP to showcase capabilities and influence Showtime’s decision for collaboration.