Map Animation and Video Editing for Historical Documentary
Spuds Creative
Map Animation
Video Editing | GeoLayers | Sound Design
Project Overview
A short documentary-style video designed to make historical facts visually engaging through map-based storytelling and motion graphics.
Our Approach
We used earthy tones to reflect the Torajan people — their culture revolves around nature, craftsmanship, and a deep connection to the land. The palette of blues, browns, and warm orange accents kept the visuals grounded and cohesive. The story was structured chronologically, with Sulawesi singled out using a distinct background to remove visual clutter and mark narrative shifts. Curiosity-driven marimba beats carried the rhythm, while subtle musical swells highlighted key moments in the story.
Key Challenges & Solutions
The animation was created in After Effects using GeoLayers for dynamic map movement and zooms. We developed a moodboard through Pinterest to refine the visual tone. For the opening timeline animation, we designed a compass-inspired motif — a nod to traditional sea navigation — linking back to the Torajans’ Austronesian heritage as skilled explorers.
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Posted Nov 4, 2025
Created a documentary-style video using map-based storytelling and motion graphics.
