Virgin Orbit Airlaunch

Supercluster · 2020

Drawn still of a small satellite tucked inside the payload bay of a rocket, from the Virgin Orbit explainer.

Virgin Orbit was on a mission to make space more accessible through AirLaunch — a transformative launch system capable of launching a rocket from anywhere on Earth.

I composited the project and handled the digital animation, working alongside designers and illustrators Michael Stone and Tim Mele. I integrated everything in After Effects, combining Tim's cel work with static illustrations and archival footage.

Using a mix of hand-drawn cel animation, stop motion, and archival footage, we make the case that 35 thousand feet in the air might just be the best place to launch a rocket.

Illustrated frame of onlookers gazing up at a rocket launch with wonder, from the Virgin Orbit AirLaunch explainer.

Illustration of a deer watching a rocket launch from its natural habitat, drawn for the Virgin Orbit AirLaunch explainer.

Agency: Supercluster
Creative Direction: Eric Collins
Design: Michael Stone, Tim Mele
Illustration: Tim Mele, Michael Stone
Animation: Ian Crane, Tim Mele
Music: Ari Trautmann