Visual Research & Layout Design — Treatments & Pitches
Visual Research is a skillset developed to address two fundamental pillars of the creative process: inspiration and intention. Through this practice creators study and gather references that will help guide their own ideas and decisions, translating early-stage concepts into strong visual or narrative frameworks that communicate story, tone, and aproach.
Brands across the globe are driven by a need to share their vision in an impactful way. Collaborating closely with directors and producers, I specialize in supporting the early stages of production, transforming ideas into powerful visual narratives. From treatments and pitches to sales documents, I help craft standout research for TV commercials, short films, feature films, music videos, fashion films, and all sorts of audiovisual projects. This includes everything from conceptual writing and visual research to thoughtful layout design. Below, you'll find a selection of projects that showcase this process in action.
The same approach applies to film. Whether it's a feature, a short film, or a documentary, every project benefits from a strong visual and narrative foundation built and can sometimes even shift the narrative. That process unfolds across three key stages:
Part 01
Visual Research
Visual Research
Part 02
Creative Storytelling
Creative Storytelling
Part 03
Pitch Deck Layout
Pitch Deck Layout
Visual Research [Part 01] Gathering the references that define the world of the film can be something valuable to give visual life to a project that is being showed to potential investors, and also for the director to start painting a clear image on their mind as to what it will actually look like. Many times we have a clear image in our minds and assisting that with accurate imagery is an important moment in the creative process. This means diving into photography, painting, cinema, and culture in general to build a visual language that can serve as an anchor or an aid for the project.
Creative Storytelling [Part 02] This is where I put words to the vision. I can either assist the director as a ghost writer or write myself after the vision was shared with me in full. Narrative frames the project, defines its tone, and articulates what makes it worth making.
Layout Design [Part 03] Presenting all of that work in a way in which graphic design can work as a language that maintains a relationshp with the concept without distracting from it. This stage begins with a moodboard, a space to gather ideas and explore creative directions, where different concepts are debated and shared. The ones that earn their place make it into the final deck. Platforms vary according to director’s and production company’s preferences, and include:
Google Slides
InDesign
ReadyMag
Figma
Keynote
The three steps are usually done in parallel, not isolatedly from one another. There is a key art direction drawing an intersection between them, crafted in teammwork with directors and producers to provide a creative result that is also aligned with the client’s desires. It is a tightrope, but an exciting one.
Mood Film A short audiovisual piece within this pre-production process upon request can sum up tone, atmosphere, and a first approach to the emotional world that will later shape the film. It usually combines found footage, a soundtrack or voice over and a certain rhythm of edit to preview a creative reference point from which we can help others better understand what we have in mind.
Generative Visuals - Working with Artificial Intelligence There is potential as an aid to the creative process, specially when guided, curated and tailored by the human mind. I use different AI tools to create high-quality, AI-generated visuals that enhance storytelling, branding, and conceptual design. Take a look at some of my A.I. creations here.