The Swarm

Territory Studio was commissioned to create screen graphics for Der Schwarm (The Swarm), ZDF's adaptation of Frank Schätzing's novel. The series follows scientists uncovering a deadly threat beneath the ocean's surface in a race to unite world leaders before it's too late. Territory designed nautical vehicle UI, satellite navigation software, and bespoke hero screens harmonised with the set design and cinematography.

Key story elements are built around data impossible to recreate on set — microscopic biological phenomena, ocean topography, and deep-sea environments. Territory created animated elements and technical zooms reinforcing biological analysis of 2D and 3D assets, alongside hero screens detailing the rapidly declining ocean environment.

Maritime technology was crafted with a clean aesthetic matched to the series' colour tones: sonar animations, tracking location screens, and ocean floor scanning — most notably the relay feed monitor for The Victor, a human-occupied vehicle descending into unexplored ocean depths in the opening scene.

The story spans diverse global locations, from remote Scottish isles to metropolitan German laboratories. Territory designed geographical data visualisations to ground each location within the series' world.

Client: ZDF Studios