I was asked to look at a type treatment for Hearts of Iron IV's latest expansion pack 'No Step Back'. Looking at old Soviet posters to take inspiration, the type was based on a constructivist poster from the 20’s “All workers choose the Soviets!”.
The video launched at PDXCON REMIXED 2021 and was watched live by 32K people, gaining 250K YT views in under 3 days.
Client: Paradox Interactive / Development Studio
Agency: Blacklist Play Games
Creative Lead, Video 3D motion graphics & textures: Liam Bunston
Logo expansion typography: me
Agency: Blacklist Play Games
Creative Lead, Video 3D motion graphics & textures: Liam Bunston
Logo expansion typography: me
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/f60d7a02f0d474371c1b58a5f4013819/fba3d576-c42f-4644-864e-12972186440f_rw_1920.png?h=9a21e499b3a0ca474b74c04a3de00877)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/f60d7a02f0d474371c1b58a5f4013819/17c38b27-966c-4bb6-bdf3-0f7e50f0118c_rw_1920.png?h=275f16b876bcc58bd5fc1f699d0a100f)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/f60d7a02f0d474371c1b58a5f4013819/f9f4f98e-c0b7-4e25-baf8-5566ee3595b5_rw_1920.png?h=6fe6376969339f781ab5b2628a04fc99)
One idea was to have the logo stamped onto an enamel pin badge. This route was not selected but the 3D model created by Liam was looking pretty exciting.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/f60d7a02f0d474371c1b58a5f4013819/1c9b9450-918e-4cba-991b-ae0f72248a52_rw_1920.png?h=a4cf5f7ffc820b2e602ab3f243e6e9d6)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/f60d7a02f0d474371c1b58a5f4013819/64637ba8-f15c-4a24-a731-38cd31b24741_rw_1920.jpg?h=d5bdfb2812d7f6f6bd211487023f473e)
Soviet pins were very popular at the time:
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/f60d7a02f0d474371c1b58a5f4013819/ef71f581-eeeb-472b-8a94-fc92154306d1_rw_1920.png?h=9159a940c6a965cb2aaaf5b38a6751df)
The blueprint texture used in the video was built from adapted actual tank elements.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/f60d7a02f0d474371c1b58a5f4013819/4d79804c-1e4f-4f2d-8c90-59a9c67835c8_rw_1920.png?h=6216f866de26f7ebac81c808fc37a32b)