British artist, Gary Numan, celebrated reaching a 1,000th gig milestone by performing three consecutive shows at London’s Electric Ballroom. To mark this remarkable journey, Lighting Designer David Howard was enlisted to create an immersive backdrop that encapsulated Numan’s career.
First introduced to wysiwyg whilst studying at university in 2013, which swiftly became an integral part of Howard’s workflow. Howard explained: “With the convenience of real-time visualisation, I’m able to design using the right fixtures, provide production teams with detailed plans, and even stimulate attendee experiences to not only bring my ideas to life but also bring people onboard my creative vision. Without wysiwyg, I’d struggle to deliver the same level of full production. Be that the design, the plots, or the plans for the production; it’s such a convenient all-in-one holistic platform that complements my workflow perfectly.”
Through extensive research into the history of Numan’s performances, Howard used wysiwyg pre-visualisation to incorporate newer elements. Taking Numan’s preferences into account, the entire show consisted of 12 universes of lighting and another 10 of pixel lighting. The stage itself was lined with pixel tape, adding a visual dimension to the experience. Drawing from Numan’s nostalgic triangular motif, Howard used wysiwyg to introduce video tile concepts to the team.
Howard used 24 GLP JDC1s and ran video pixel content which was projected onto the triangular screen. This video content was also fed through the pixels of the JDC1s to blend the visual elements and create a pixel-rich environment. To acknowledge Numans admiration for aviation, Howard featured Ayrton Magic Blades as well as the SGM BeaSt moving light that resembled an aircraft landing light, with an overhead rig of Chauvet Spots and washes.
Howard emphasised: “wysiwyg allowed us to not only 3D visualise the venue but also check that the rig would be compatible with the space. This meant that the entire production team was able to see the show in advance, and I was able to guarantee that every element fit perfectly.”
In reflecting on the impact wysiwyg has had on his creative journey, Howard concluded: “wysiwyg isn’t just a tool; it’s the all in one system that propels my ideas into reality. The mirroring tool, the seamless workflow between wysiwyg and BlackTrax, the ability to export with precision – these are more than just features; they’re what makes my work come to life. wysiwyg, without a doubt, has opened up more creative freedom, giving me the time to explore, refine, and execute quickly. It’s not just about lighting design; it’s about crafting experiences and wysiwyg stands as the ultimate partner that enables me to do this.”
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