US Midterm Elections 2026 — a 3D broadcast opener for Al Mashhad TV

• ClientAl Mashhad TV (المشهد)
• Year2026
• RoleMotion designer · 3D
• Creative managerMarc El Asmar
• DisciplineElection graphics · Broadcast opener
• DeliveryOn-air & social, Arabic election coverage

The brief

Al Mashhad needed an on-air opener that read instantly as “US election” for an Arabic-speaking audience. It had to give equal visual weight to both major parties, stay neutral in tone, and hold up on broadcast screens as well as in vertical and square social crops.

The concept

Metallic textures merge with clay-built buildings, so the scene feels tactile and premium at the same time. Red, white and blue ribbons trace the camera’s path through the city. The Democratic donkey and the Republican elephant stand on either side of the Capitol, matched in scale, finish and star detailing, and shiny star particles lead the eye into the final reveal of the Arabic election logo.

Motion and camera

The opener is built from several camera moves that sweep through the architecture. The ribbons carry the eye from one move to the next, so the sequence plays as one continuous flight rather than a set of separate shots. Every move resolves on the logo lockup, framed and held long enough for a clean anchor handoff.

Arabic title design

The lockup pairs a ballot-box checkmark with stars-and-stripes forms and the Arabic title الانتخابات النصفية الأميركية. It was set to stay readable at broadcast sizes, over a busy 3D background, and when cropped for social.

Decisions worth naming

• Both parties, equal weight. Mirrored placement and identical materials keep a news channel’s graphic neutral.
• Clay plus metal. Clay softens the Capitol into something friendly and current; metal keeps it authoritative enough for news.
• Ribbons as the edit. Instead of cuts, the ribbons link each camera move, which keeps the open feeling live.

Credits

• Motion design & 3D: Huzaifa Rafiq
• Creative manager: Marc El Asmar
• Client: Al Mashhad TV (المشهد), Dubai

This is the follow-up to the US Election 2024 opener — same channel, two years on, a completely different visual language. More on this kind of work under broadcast graphics, 3D motion graphics and Arabic motion graphics.

Next: US Election 2024 — broadcast 3D opener →