America’s Test Kitchen

Cooking science, served on screen

America’s Test Kitchen (ATK) is a national cooking show and leading media brand, reaching millions of home cooks across broadcast television, streaming, and digital platforms. For six consecutive seasons (20–26), and counting, Neoscape has partnered with ATK to bring the science of cooking to life. Together, we’ve built a library of film segments, illustrations, and motion graphics that reveal the “why” behind recipes, helping viewers not just cook, but understand.

6+

seasons of collaboration
2M+

weekly viewers
70+

recipes
2019

partnering since

How do you make molecules mouthwatering?

Cooking is both an art and a science. ATK wanted to expand its storytelling by showing viewers what happens at the molecular level—why curing transforms turkey, why folding strengthens dough, why emulsification makes sauces silky. The challenge: explain invisible processes in a way that’s clear, educational, and visually captivating, without losing the warmth and approachability that define ATK’s brand.

Blending science and storytelling

We worked closely with ATK producers, designers, and culinary experts to identify which recipes and techniques would benefit most from scientific visualization. From there, our team developed storyboards and concept art to translate abstract chemistry into accessible, kitchen-friendly storytelling. Custom illustrations and animations brought molecular changes to life on screen, while short film segments were produced to fit seamlessly within each episode’s cadence.

A step-by-step process

Over the years working with the ATK team, we have developed a finely-honed process to develop these animations in a consistent way, easing the process of producing the final segment. Our work begins with a collaborative brainstorm, where we review the client’s script and references and align on tone and story direction with the Art Director and Illustrator. From there, we move into whiteboarding, using rough, hand-drawn sketches to explore composition, color direction, and narrative flow. These ideas are refined into a vector-based storyboard that defines final frames and assets, setting the foundation for animation and production. The process concludes with the fully animated and produced film, delivered ready for integration with additional footage and final deployment.

A recipe for clarity and creativity

By balancing scientific rigor with engaging design, Neoscape has helped ATK strengthen its connection with millions of viewers. Complex concepts were distilled into visuals that made food science approachable for home cooks everywhere. At the same time, our work enhanced the show’s broader educational mission, keeping content fresh and visually compelling season after season. Together, we’ve shown that design and science can combine to enrich one of the most beloved cooking brands in America.

Services

Film Production, Illustrations, Animation, Motion Graphics

Team