Psychedelics are one of the least explored subjects in science, so UC Berkeley’s online course needed visuals that feel curious, careful and human. Pixeldust drew them like a scientist’s field journal.
Pixeldust, Nezera Films and UC Berkeley’s Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) teamed up to create the online course “Psychedelics and the Mind,” hosted and taught by Professor David Presti. Pixeldust created a comprehensive graphics package for the course, which delves into the often unexplored subject of psychedelics and their effects on the mind.
Illustrating the unseen
Pixeldust introduced a unique illustration style reminiscent of a “field journal,” featuring hand-drawn scribbles and drawings that lend an organic and authentic touch to the visuals. Text labels were crafted to mimic the appearance of being printed on slips of paper, creating a tactile and immersive feel. Most animations were placed on a natural-looking piece of paper, reinforcing the course’s exploratory theme.
To explain the intricate processes within a brain affected by psychedelic drugs, Pixeldust produced full-screen graphic explainers. These visuals blend artistry and scientific accuracy to clarify complex concepts, giving the course a visual narrative that makes challenging topics accessible to a broader audience.
In the pursuit of a visual language that complements the profound subject matter, Pixeldust explored various illustration styles. The chosen “field journal” aesthetic was carefully curated to evoke a sense of authenticity, making the course not only educational but also visually compelling.
Pixeldust designed the course open as a journey through layers, as if the viewer were passing through different dimensions, with colors inspired by the vivid visual effects these substances are known for. That world carries into the course intros, a gateway to each section. Pixeldust also crafted lower thirds that match the style and stay as unobtrusive as possible, delivered as a text template package for the course editor to keep every episode consistent and easy to build.
