Endurance is a feature-length film from National Geographic Documentary Films, that chronicles two landmark expeditions. The design incorporates era-specific maps, period-authentic type treatments, historical recreations, and textured archival effects. These elements work in harmony to evoke the visual language of both the original Antarctic expedition and the modern search for the shipwreck.
The title sequence interweaves two core themes of the film - survival against the odds and the technical challenges of locating a wreck at extreme depths. Encroaching ice serves as a visual motif throughout, used to frame imagery, heighten tension, and create stark contrasts that echo the film’s central struggles.
Initial film logos experimented with combinations of serif and sans serif typefaces to reflect the dual timelines.
The map captures both the immensity of Antarctica and the human scale of Shackleton’s expedition, marking pivotal moments—from the Endurance’s entrapment to the harrowing retreat to Elephant Island and the fateful voyage to South Georgia in search of rescue.
