The team R&D’d a technique of spinning music visuals out into chaotic yet beautiful 3D structures that used displacement maps to distill the energy and pixel values of video sources into sculptural models. These “donuts” of design and colour spun with energy and became a circular expression of each video’s creative DNA - a chaotic reinterpretation of the circular logo form. We scoured this years music videos for stunning cinematographic portraits of stars like Miley Cyrus and Jason Derulo. The design team treated these with digital slow motion techniques to create intimate lyrical portraits that connected our abstract design sculptures with the people they represent.

The result was an iconic package that spanned stage design, broadcast design and branding. The show had record numbers for day after viewing and broadcast design became the new benchmark at MTV.