FOREVERGREEN
END CREDITS ART: A CASE STUDY
PROJECT OVERVIEW
I was honored to work on the end credits art for Forevergreen. The film was an after-hours passion project created over five years by more than 200 dedicated artists and technicians—many from Disney—who generously donated their time and talent to bring every frame to life. Featuring handmade artistry and innovative, never-before-seen animation techniques, it beautifully weaves art and technology with heart and humor. If you’ve seen it, you know just how special it is—and how many tears it leaves in its wake. I was invited by directors Jeremy Spears, whose wooden work I’ve long admired, and Nathan Engelhardt, both Disney animation veterans. Seeing the film earn recognition around the world—and go on to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film—feels like pure magic, and a reminder that I wasn’t the only one deeply moved by it.
Project Credits
- (Director) Jeremy Spears
- (Director) Nathan Engelhardt
- (Producer) Jennifer Gandrup Sackheim
- (Producer) Steph Gortz
- (Composer / Musician) Josh Garrels
- (Composer / Musician) Isaac Wardell
- (END CREDIT ILLUSTRATION) DON CLARK
WATCH THE TRAILER
An orphaned bear cub finds a home with a fatherly evergreen tree, until his hunger for trash leads him to danger.
FESTIVAL FAVORITE
The film was met with an enthusiastic response from both audiences and festivals. It went on to earn recognition across the festival circuit, picking up multiple awards and building a strong reputation along the way. That growing list of accolades reflects not only its craft, but the way it connected with viewers and stood out among its peers.
TEXTURAL INSPIRATION
To echo the wooden world of Forevergreen, I made a simple stylistic choice to use woodgrain throughout the art—letting that texture carry the connection in a clear, graphic way.
SKETCH PROCESS
The sketching process was all about exploration and restraint—finding a visual language that supported the tone of the film. I started loose and organic, then gradually refined each piece, simplifying and adjusting until the details felt intentional and quietly in service of the story.
When Don approaches his work, he goes all in! The level of idea and craftsmanship that he produces is beyond inspiring and will leave you with your jaw on the floor. His final design becomes the timeless signature piece of any project.
Jeremy Spears
Director / Forevergreen
Jeremy Spears for La Marzocco
Jeremy Spears is the Co-Director of Forevergreen and one of our favorite collaborators. It was especially meaningful to work with him on a project for one of our favorite clients, La Marzocco. He brought their iconic lion logo to life as a wood carving, and his craftsmanship elevated it beyond a simple sculpture into a true celebration of handmade artistry. Watching it take shape felt like pure magic.
Invisible Creature is so good, you’ll never want to hit Ctrl + Z! Their unparalleled creative specificity mixed with a no-nonsense execution, turns any big design aspiration into reality. With an impressive roster of world-class clients and a deep love for passion projects, they balance bold design with a rare humility—crafting visuals that are as iconic as they are unforgettable. In short- anything they touch turns to visual gold! I'll be looking for any excuse to work with them again soon.
Nathan Engelhardt
Director / Forevergreen
ZOETROPE VINYL
We also had the opportunity to create the artwork for Josh Garrel’s amazing soundtrack for the film. It features a stunning zoetrope by Disney veteran Wayne Unten, Jr., adding a tactile sense of motion and craftsmanship that echoes the spirit of the film.
ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK
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THANK YOU
Jeremy Spears, Nathan Engelhardt, Jennifer Gandrup Sackheim, Steph Gortz, Josh Garrels and everyone who contributed to this beautiful film.