"...Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
Maybe we found love right where we are"

In 2022, I was commissioned by relative.berlin to design the content for the song "Thinking out loud" of Ed Sheeran’s new stage design. Building on an existing visual idea, I developed and explored a range of animation styles and behavioral concepts tailored to this segment.

My goal was to create a diverse range of distinct variations to provide a broader visual spectrum as a foundation for discussion and decision-making in the next stages of production. 
It functioned also as a proof-of-concept before recording the actual motion capture data of the two dancers. 

Content art direction, concept & production: relative.berlin
Commissioned by relative.berlin

LOOP

I refined the concept of a long, continuous ring of particles orbiting the central "halo" screen. The challenge lay in crafting a physically believable particle animation that would not only loop seamlessly over time, but also wrap around the full 360 degrees of the circular display.

THE DANCERS
EXPLORATIONS

Based on the predefined color palette and stylistic framework, I explored a variety of approaches that played with both 2D and 3D behaviors, as well as the integration of the dancing couple into the visual environment.

FINAL SHOW

MORE PROJECTS

I‘m Steffen Hörbrand. I'm a freelance Art Director and Motion Designer with more than ten years of experience.

I am passionate about leading the creative process from the first idea scribble to the finished project and working as a motion design generalist with both 3D and 2D content.
My particular interest lies in creating immersive, spatial installations through moving images and transforming digital works into experiences in the physical world.

Over the last ten years I gained experience in developing and implementing concepts for exhibitions, shows or trade fairs in collaboration with different studios.
In my projects I use a wide range of formats for successful customer communication, from classic conceptual methods such as moodboards or storyboards to 3D-printed building models and VR applications.

In addition I have taught several courses at the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences as a lecturer in time-based media.

Let's chat!
mail@steffenhoerbrand.com

SKILLS
Art direction, Concept,
Styleframing, Motion Graphics,
Media Art, 3D, 2D, Graphic Design,
Live VJing

TOOLS
Cinema4D
After Effects / Adobe CC
Octane / Redshift3D
Procreate
Touchdesigner / Resolume

STUDIOS
Tamschick, Urbanscreen, Aixsponza, Blackspace, Flora & Fauna Visions, Visual Drugstore and Sehsucht

CLIENTS
Intel, Audi, BMW, MAN, VW, ABB, Philips, Roche, GoreTex, Marco Polo, Dekra, Porsche, ZDF, ARD, Nickelodeon

© 2025 Steffen Hörbrand - Impressum