I.F. believes that every project has a storytelling aspect and that its new DC Comic logo re-design is a perfect example of this philosophy. Client: DC Comics. All images designed and produced by Imaginary Forces (I.F.).

Go to a movie, a basketball game, Times Square in New York, a casino in Las Vegas or even just watching television at home, chances are you’ve seen the work of design and marketing company, Imaginary Forces. It has distinguished itself as a true visionary in the industry by stretching its resources and continually challenging its artists and recently has been delving into high profile comic-related projects.

Founded in 1996, some of the more notable projects from team at I.F. include the television and feature title sequences from Ray, Band of Brothers, The L Word, One Hour Photo, as well as the groundbreaking titles from Seven, live-action production of the films Blade I and II and Blade: Trinity, the dream sequences in Minority Report, plus an array of commercials for Reebok, Nike, Livestrong, Smirnoff, The Gap and Kodak. Its identity and branding work includes logo design for DC Comics, Marvel, Animal Planet, USA Networks and the 2004 Cyclysm campaign for the Tour de France with the Outdoor Living Network. I.F. created trailers for features such as Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and the upcoming Chronicles of Narnia.

Imaginary Forces has distinguished itself as a true visionary in the industry by stretching its resources and continually challenging its artists.

The team of more than 70 directors, art directors, designers, animators, editors, writers and producers reside in a charming studio overlooking the courtyard of a well-known watering hole in the heart of Hollywood. It is evident from the atmosphere that this is a company built on a foundation of creativity. Founding partners, Peter Frankfurt and Chip Houghton have been instrumental in pushing the envelope of their team’s abilities.

Imaginary Forces has also begun to corner the market on one of the hottest genres in Hollywood — the comicbook. Along with the redesign of two of the most famous images in the comicbook industry, the Marvel and DC logos, it designed the Spider-Man title sequence and has also proven to be pioneers by shepherding the Blade trilogy film series, one of the early comicbook character adaptations. I.F. co-founder Peter Frankfurt, after working with Richard Donner at Universal and then producing Juice starring Tupac Shakur in 1992, was inspired to investigate this unique comic series showcasing an African American hero when comics weren’t nearly the trend that they are today.

“Comicbooks are inspiring, because they are basically a print version of telling a story in motion,” says Frankfurt. “I.F., as a company philosophy, comes from a storytelling perspective in everything we do,” he adds. “Which is why these projects are so exciting to us.”

Frankfurt adds, “Comic-centric projects are good for us, we like the graphic sensibility of these properties but appreciate the mythology and history behind them. Marvel storylines are more focused on the modern guy affected by nature and modern foes, while DC is the older brand where our hero is fighting different villains.”