FEATURE DOCUMENTARY

A feature documentary by Lisa Rideout, Degrassi: Whatever It Takes traces the evolution of the groundbreaking Canadian franchise that reshaped teen television. Through interviews with creators, writers, superfans, and cast members — including alum Aubrey Drake Graham — the film explores Degrassi’s bold storytelling, its cultural impact, and the complexities behind the scenes. Both celebratory and candid, it offers an engaging look at a uniquely Canadian phenomenon that continues to resonate with audiences.

Role:

Art Director + Motion Designer

I collaborated with Director Lisa Rideout to define and execute the graphic language for the feature documentary Degrassi: Whatever It Takes. My involvement began with a broad visual exploration that included developing potential styles, colour palettes, typography options, layout approaches, and motion references. Once the creative direction was established, I designed the full graphic system for the film, including titles, lower thirds, timelines, handwritten elements, and the composition, treatment, and motion of a large volume of archival photos, slides, and time stamps across two episodes and a theatrical feature.

I also created a comprehensive style guide and a set of production-ready templates that supported the assistant motion designers and ensured consistency throughout the project while working closely with the Director and Post Supervisor. Degrassi: Whatever It Takes made its World Premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.