The Awe-Inspiring Visuals of Black Panther’s Ending Title Sequence

By Joseph Naguski

A barrage of intense color fills the screen as vibranium sand forms vibrant shapes and symbols representing key moments from the highly popular 2018 Marvel film Black Panther. In this title sequence analysis we will explore how the design studio Perception creates stunning visuals coupled with riveting typography. All moving to the tune of the film’s original track “All the Stars” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA. To explore more about the film itself and our thoughts on it, read our review by Bill Friedell.

As the film ends audiences are quickly brought into the ending title sequence which begins with a dose of bold purple encompassing panthers made of sand. As it plays out the moments portrayed on the screen give the audience another look at the themes of the film such as the struggle between tradition vs. change and conflicting identities. Iconic events are relived again through the storytelling of the sequence. The overall feel of the sequence is created to emit the atmosphere of Wakandan culture as presented in the film.

To help further emphasise this identity throughout the piece the sequence’s design team, Perception Studio, wanted to bring back the same vibranium sand effect seen in the prologue of the film back to have its visuals come full circle. The prologue sequence was created by an outside visual effects team named Storm VFX. Perception studio took the elements of that prologue to create their sequence. They created an interactive environment filled with iconic moments from the film all united with atmospheric images of african patterns and cymatic-based forms. The vibranium sand particle effects were created using a combination of Cinema 4D, X-Particles and Houdini. 

The bold altering color palette throughout the sequence is more than just attractive visuals. The colors are all designated towards certain characters and personalities. Purple: Royalty, neon blue: Vibranium, regular blue: Outsiders, green: Nakia and the River Tribe, Gold: The Golden City: orange: Villains and red: The Dora Milaje. These colors were taken from a color script provided by the Black Panther’s director Ryan Coogler who placed emphasis on these colors throughout the film itself. 

The typography of the sequence was used to put further emphasis on the Wakadan culture aspects of the design of the sequence. Perception decided to create “a visual translation of the letters from traditional Wakadan glyphs to a Wakandan-inspired latin typeface for each individual credit.” The final “Black Panther” title credit was created with custom letterforms based off the typeface Beyno. Much like Wakanda itself, the letters are at first hidden and indecipherable. The placement of the text is simple compared to the environment surrounding, allowing it to be read easily while still fitting within the design.

Perception studio describes itself as “a cutting edge design lab pioneering the visionary process of Science Fiction Thinking to architect the future.” The studio does not only film title designs but also designs and creates entire “futuristic digital universes” for the films it is a part of. It is the studio behind many films within the Marvel cinematic universe. Including Iron Man 2, Captain America: Civil War (Russo, 2016) and most recently Spider-Man: Far From Home (Watts, 2019). However, they are not solely a film design studio however, they also work to help create the design of new technologies in the real world as well. They are involved in the aerospace, automotive, and mixed reality industries among others. From title sequences to supercars, Perception has an extensive amount of work aimed towards the future.

Black Panther’s title sequence is truly a stimulating visual experience harmonizing with Kendrick fast-paced melody of “All of the Stars”. The eccentric representation of iconic moments and characters formed from the dynamic vibranium sand contrasted with the bright and bold color palette make the sequence unique.

Work Cited

http://experienceperception.com/black-panther-moe.html
Coogler, Ryan, director. Black Panther. Walt Disney, 2018.