NDE Files is a documentary-style YouTube series exploring near-death experiences through the lens of spiritual analysis and visual storytelling. The goal was to create a distinct series identity that felt cinematic, investigative, and accessible to viewers unfamiliar with the broader Swedenborg Foundation brand. The program started with an idea: use the tone of the popular True Crime genre to tell the stories of Near Death Experiences.
Creative Production Director / Art Director
I led the creative development and production system for the series, establishing the visual tone, repeatable format, thumbnail direction, motion design approach, and weekly production workflow.
Creative Direction
The visual approach combines documentary atmosphere, true-crime-inspired restraint, and spiritual mystery without leaning into cliché. The goal was to make the series feel serious and cinematic while still remaining clear, approachable, and emotionally grounded.
Key visual priorities included:
A darker, investigative tone distinct from the main Off The Left Eye channel
Strong title treatments and thumbnail packaging designed for curiosity and clarity
Consistent visual language across episodes
Motion graphics and supporting visuals that help frame complex spiritual ideas
A repeatable production format that could sustain weekly releases
Execution
The series required a scalable visual and production system, including episode packaging, thumbnail direction, title cards, visual pacing, motion graphics, and post-production workflow.
This allowed the team to move from concept to repeatable weekly production while maintaining a distinct identity for the channel.
Outcome
Led the launch and scaling of a new content vertical
Established a repeatable weekly production format
Generated 1 Million organic views within first 9 months
Acquired 19K subscribers
Helped expand the Foundation’s media presence into a new audience segment
