Lighting Design by Michael Chan
Design Insomnia
A Design Collective
Arts | Entertainment | Technical
Introduction
Design Insomnia is a multi-disciplinary collective of designers, engineers, coordinators, managers and companies that comes together to tailor a complete design solution for your project needs.
Whether that be scenography design/fabrication, multimedia content, projection mapping or even equipment provision.
What sets us apart from traditional event and rental companies is that we only assemble highly qualified specialists for projects of any scale and complexity. This helps our clients to save on manpower costs, and connects them directly with the design team who has a greater control in creating a memorable experience.
Adopting a holistic approach to design, we also provide an end-to-end solution with a full suite of services including design and drawings as well as equipment provision. Supported by our network of rental companies, we are able to procure cost-effective yet quality equipment, hence maximizing savings for our clients while achieving key project goals.
Project Showcase
Project |
Stranger Things 4 Global Fan Event @ KL Tower (Malaysia)
Client |
This is Tommy (Creative and Digital Agency)
Netflix (Main Client)
Role |
Technical Consultant and Management
Equipment (lighting, projection, audio) Rental and Setup
Lighting Design and Programming
Projection Mapping Engineering and Programming
Audio Engineering
Solution |
This is Tommy approached us regarding Netflix’s Global Fan Event’s projection mapping for an iconic location within Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At a moment notice, we flew over for site recces and meetings with various venue management.
After the venue was confirmed, we undertook the entire technical design and management. Client took on the advise of adding on additional lighting to enhance the entire experience by bringing a more physical presence to the ephemeral quality of just content being played on projection. We further explored a “Open Rift” set build, but ultimately did not execute it.
We provided not only technical consultation but gave additional ideas and suggestion, which value added to the project. We even introduced the on-site event company that helped to manage the other activations on the ground.
All design and system programming was provided by us, giving us full creative control. All lighting programming was done before on-site setup in 3D, saving us time during the event setup. We also provided all the equipment (lights, projectors, speakers) via our partners, saving the client the hassle of having to deal with any AV vendors.
Project Showcase
Project |
Client |
IMG (Singapore)
Global Esports Federation (Main Client)
Role |
Lighting Design and Programming
Stage & Set Design
Event Graphic & Styling
Event Branding Animation
Solution |
In 2021, during the pandemic, IMG approached us to create a stage, set and lighting design for the Global Esports Games, which was a "Bubble" event in Resort World Sentosa, Singapore. More than 400 participants flew in from 80 over countries to compete. With social distancing and other pandemic controls still in force, we had to separate the hall and created two stages.
We created two teams to manage the main stage and ceremonies stage. The main stage was where the competitors played out the games on a specially designed stage. While the ceremonies stage hosted the opening and closing of the games, with special performances and the minister of culture (MCCY) opened the games.
We handled both the design and fabrication/build of the stage and set. Being in charge of lighting and set allowed us to better incorporate lighting effects within the set design. We also could produce a 3D mockup of not just the set, but set with lighting, for the client to preview.
With a Metaverse performance that had the performer wearing a motion capture suit that allowed him to perform both physically and digitally at the same time, we enhanced the live performance with lighting design that synced with the digital performance. We also edited the lighting to work with Augmented Reality of flags and other special effects that was only visible to the streaming viewers.
Project Showcase
Project |
Client |
Netflix
Role |
Creative Concept
Technical Consultant and Management
Equipment (lighting, projection, audio) Rental and Setup
Set and Props Fabrication and Sourcing
Lighting Design and Programming
Audio Engineering
Solution |
The Ghost Bride (Chinese: 彼岸之嫁) is a 2020 Taiwanese-Malaysian Netflix original series. Netflix initially approached us with an idea to create a simple holographic projection for the gala film premiere event, where about 100 special guests were invited.
We further explored the idea and pitched an idea of an experience booth where guests could enter for a minute "mini" show, have multiple Instagram and selfie photo opportunities and also get a taste of the same eerie atmospheric environment in the show.
We created a booth that had 2 layers of viewing, with a "Painting" portrait (50inch 4K TV Monitor) at 7metres away at the end of the booth, and a 3metre by 3metre Pepper Ghost screen in between. The "Painting" along with wall scones and other lighting effects added physical and real world elements to the viewing and effects, which then allowed the holographic 3D effect of the Pepper Ghost projection to stun the audience when it unexpectedly appears. Hidden speakers added to the overall atmosphere and mood by playing back background music and sound effects.
Between the audience and the projection were a massive altar that recreated "offerings" and other set and props elements from the tv series. This not only serve as a masking to the technical equipment, but also further enhanced the experience by bringing real world objects used in the show, right in front of the audience.
Project Showcase
Project |
Client |
KLive Asia (Event Company)
Ministry of Home Affairs (Main Client)
Role |
Art Direction
Set Design
Lighting Design and Programming
Solution |
Themed “What is your #HomeTeamStory”, this year’s festival marked 10 years since the launch of the biennial event that shines a spotlight on the 11 Home Team Departments, which work together to keep Singapore safe and secure.
The event featured four thematic zones where event goers learned about the history and achievements of the Home Team.
Working closely with KLive Asia from the beginning of the project, we helped to work on the overall Art direction, and subsequently all the scenography and lighting design. The brief was to help with making the event different compared to previous years, with an emphasis on thematic lighting rather than the usual plain bright white light. This feature which was not missed by the crowd or reviewers, as shown in the article by Little Day Out - "This year, the Home Team Festival 2023 looks super-theatrical with dramatic lighting all around."
