THE 1619 PROJECT

THE NEW YORK TIMES / HULU

OVERVIEW

MORE 1619:

The 1619 Project, created by Pulitzer Prize–winner Nikole Hannah-Jones, reexamines American history through the lens of the Black experience.

Originally a series of essays for The New York Times Magazine, it has since expanded into a best-selling book, podcast, children’s book, and now a six-part docu-series on Hulu.

THE CHALLENGE

One Story Up partnered with Block & Tackle to create a historically grounded graphic identity for the series. The visuals had to integrate diverse archival materials, illustrate abstract ideas, and maintain authenticity—all while meeting The New York Times’ strict fact-checking standards.

OUR APPROACH

The project demanded sensitivity and reverence. Inspired by W.E.B. Du Bois’ 1900 data visualizations, Vocal Type’s historical typefaces, Christopher Myers’ collage art, and Nikole Hannah-Jones’ family photos, the design honors the weight of the story while celebrating the resilience of Black culture. The visual identity is confident, grounded, and human.

EPISODE 1

DEMOCRACY

Told through Nikole Hannah-Jones' personal story, historical events and the modern fights for voting rights, DEMOCRACY explores Black America's centuries-long fight to democratize America and hold it to its founding ideals.

Watch the full episode on HULU.

EPISODE 2

RACE

This episode examines the construct of race as a political invention created to justify the exploitation of Africans during slavery and promote white supremacy, while tracing the impact that has had on Black women's bodies and reproductive lives.

Watch the full episode on HULU.

EPISODE 3

MUSIC

From Motown's wide popularity to funk's rebellious independence to today's genre-breaking musicians, MUSIC celebrates the "uncapturable spirit" of Black music and maintains that Black music IS American Music.

Watch the full episode on HULU.

EPISODE 4

CAPITALISM

Nikole Hannah-Jones' family and current labor battles are the lens for CAPITALISM, which explores how slavery formed the bedrock of American capitalism and how this foundation of brutality continues to permeate our deeply unequal economic system.

Watch the full episode on HULU.

EPISODE 5

FEAR

A family's tragic loss. A dramatic day in the life of a protestor. FEAR explores how modern policing, surveillance and the criminalization of Black Americans draw roots from the slavery era fear of Black rebellion and centuries-long quest for freedom.

Watch the full episode on HULU.

EPISODE 6

JUSTICE

Through Nikole Hannah-Jones' family story and one Georgia community fighting for restitution, JUSTICE examines the historical events that denied Black Americans the opportunity to build generational wealth and what is owed to descendants of slavery.

Watch the full episode on HULU.

INFOGRAPHICS

Inspired by W.E.B. Du Bois’ pioneering data portraits, the series infographics use animation and textured details to translate his bold experimentation and purpose into a modern, time-based medium.

ARCHIVAL   TREATMENTS

Cohesive archival photo treatments and a restrained motion language add quiet urgency, supported by streamlined toolkits for efficient, flexible production.

NARRATIVES

To visualize stories beyond existing footage, we composed dynamic collage sequences from historical documents, maps, and photos - creating visually rich narratives that deepen the viewer’s understanding.