Rudi Assauer

Macher Mensch Legende

(Documentary 2018)

For this high-profile documentary about the life of German football manager legend Rudi Assauer, I took on the role of Art Director, overseeing the complete visual concept and creative execution. Together with a dedicated team of amazing artists, we developed narrative-driven 2.5D animations and illustrations that brought key moments from Assauer’s past to life — emotionally compelling, stylistically refined, and deeply immersive. In addition to leading the artistic team, I was responsible for the entire corporate design, including promotional materials, print campaigns, and marketing assets — from key visuals and poster artwork to DVD & Blu-ray covers, press kits, and the premiere launch materials. The project premiered in 2018 with a spectacular Guinness World Record attempt at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen-Germany, drawing over 40,000 live attendees. Directed by Don Schubert, the documentary was widely celebrated for its emotional depth and strong visual identity.

Art Direction | 2.5D Animation | Visual Development | Corporate Design

Client

Credits

C-Films I 2018

Director: Don Schubert

Script: Don Schubert

Visual Development | Layout & Composition | Art Direction

This visual examples captures a key moment in the development process of the animated illustration sequences for "Rudi Assauer – Macher. Mensch. Legende." I initiated the process with a 3D mockup to define the camera angle, composition, and spatial perspective, establishing a solid foundation for the visual storytelling. The background was masterfully illustrated by Benjamin Hoellrigl, while Klaus Scherwinski brought the characters to life with exceptional attention to expression, posture, and emotional nuance.

Through multiple refinement loops and in close collaboration with Bettina Michel, Sabine Söldner, and director Don Schubert, we carefully shaped the final look — ensuring authenticity, age accuracy, and a strong emotional resonance.

Key Art | Poster Design | Packaging | Social Media Campaigns

Designing the official film poster for "Rudi Assauer – Macher. Mensch. Legende." was a deeply fulfilling creative process. From the outset, the visual direction was clear: the key art needed to reflect the essence of the tagline and celebrate Rudi Assauer’s legacy and impact on football — as a maker, a man, and a legend. Once the title design and poster were finalized, I had the privilege of expanding the visual identity into a full campaign, including the DVD and Blu-ray cover designs, booklet layout, and an extensive set of social media and advertising materials.

360° Event Visualization | Experience Design | Art Direction

This final concept artwork illustrates our creative vision for the world premiere of the documentary. The goal: to design an immersive 360° stadium experience for over 62,000 attendees — emotionally resonant, visually bold, and executed on a grand scale. The final realization followed this original concept by nearly 90%, proving how strong visual development and clear art direction can transform ambitious ideas into tangible, large-scale experiences.