
Pixel Artworks Makes A Splash With The International Swimming League posted: 22/11/2019
Modular LED set and live show production has become a focal part of every global ISL event
Pixel Artworks, the award-winning specialists in light and pixel technology, today announced the company was behind the creation of the dynamic set and show experience for the recent first world tour of The International Swimming League (ISL), a new start up swimming competition that is changing the world of competitive swimming.
Swimming is a hugely popular sport during global events including the Olympics and World Championships, and The International Swimming League aims to re-envisioning the sport, bringing it to a new social audience to increase engagement and promote public health. The matches' feature fast-paced, electrifying short-course swimming sessions with the world's most elite swimmers competing, including Olympic and World Champions from over 10 different countries.
The ISL approached Pixel Artworks in October 2018 to create a unique audio visual sporting experience to fit with the leagues vision of reinventing swimming and spectating for a new generation.
Pixel Artworks created the huge modular set with a 67sqm of 2.6mm pixel pitch LED that radically changes the shape and angles of each of the venues. To create a fanfare and an engaging atmosphere throughout each event, Pixel Artworks produced a graphical video that acts as the narrative for each ISL match'. The accompanying sound design was digitally composed to build a soundscape that heightens the senses and intensified the audience and viewer experience, designed to emphasise the narrative of the celestial origins of swimming.
Natalie Harvey, Senior Producer at Pixel Artworks explains the complexities and creative thought process behind the showstopping production and set: ISL had a strong vision for the production, and already had a recognisable logo and character figure that we brought to life through the creative content. The 90-second opening animation is abstract and draws inspiration from illustrative animation like manga.
Working on a show that is being broadcast globally for the first time hasn't come without its challenges, explains Harvey: Broadcast times and run programmes are not produced until much nearer showtime. Not only this, but due to the nature of sport, there can be changes in teams up to the event starting. We had to create content which could be swapped quickly as each team also has its own animations.
The unmissable set piece has now become a vital part of The ISL experience and travelled to every stop of the tour. Teams walk out to the cheering crowds through the set, take photos in front it, and a DJ booth has also been built in. Our knowledge in spacial design was really pushed, as every venue was very different, explains Daniel Postlethwaite, Production Director at Pixel Artworks. We had to consider audience flow, athlete entry and welcome, and pool position, whilst still providing an engaging audio visual experience. We also had to consider the audience, both in the stands and viewing at home, so we chose a very high-resolution LED product that looks fantastic both in person and on camera.
Our production team really have been at the core of making this a reality, continued Postlethwaite. We had to design and build a modular design to fit all venues, where every rigging and lighting point is different and complex in its own right. The set had to be transportable and relatively flexible to fit various spaces. We had to consider audiences, swimmers jump blocks, and accommodate for unpredictable sized gaps between the LED set and the swimming pool. The new concept meant we had to do onsite testing, and as with any live broadcast, there can be changes. Using disguise servers, combined with real-time workflow Notch, we've created a bespoke adaptable system that fits the brief.
This weekend, in the sixth match of the series, The ISL arrives at the London Aquatic Centre for a sold-out two-day spectacular with four European teams doing battle in the derby match. The biggest names in international swimming will be competing, including Great Britains Adam Peaty, Hungarys Hossz Katinka and Australias Cate Campbell.
As The ISL reaches an exciting climax, the final in Las Vegas is billed to be an even bigger achievement for the Pixel Artworks team. To celebrate the success of this extraordinary new competition, we have proposed an even more extravagant set, featuring extended LED and a more visual experience, all designed to engage and excite spectators around the world, added Kelly Eagle, Business Director at Pixel Artworks.
About Pixel Artworks
Pixel Artworks is the leading specialist in light and pixel technology, designing and delivering immersive experiences globally across media campaigns, events and installations. They work with the world's most prestigious brands, businesses and venues to produce brand impact, powerful storytelling and technical innovation. The company's uniquely integrated creative, technical and production teams makes it the recognised leader in its field.
Europe Stories
11/12/2025
Dalet, a leading provider of cloud-native, end-to-end media workflow solutions, ...
03/12/2025
ToolsOnAir Composition Builder 2025 Boilerplate
More Details: The Composition Builder 2025 application for macOS enables TV stations and Live Event broadcast...
03/12/2025
ToolsOnAr just:live pro 2025 Boilerplate
More Details: just:live pro 2025 is a Single Channel Live Production Playout solution for video and static or real-t...
03/12/2025
ToolsOnAr just:play pro 2025 Boilerplate
More Details: just:play pro 2025 is a Single Channel automated 24/7 Master Control playout solution with SD, HD and ...
03/12/2025
ToolsOnAr live:cut 2025 Boilerplate
More Details: live:cut is an option to just:in mac pro 2025 and enables multicamera production workflows for up to 16 cam...
03/12/2025
ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite NDI 2025 Boilerplate
More Details: The Just In Mac Lite NDI application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specific...
03/12/2025
ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite 2025 Boilerplate
More Details: The Just In Mac Lite application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specifically for...
03/12/2025
ToolsOnAir just:in mac pro 2025 Boilerplate
More Details: just:in mac pro is a macOS-based client-server multichannel capture solution to record SDI, HDMI, N...
03/12/2025
Tracy Bonareri Onchoke, Thomson's Young Journalist of the year 2025 is hoping the accolade will be a springboard to more cross-border collaboration between ...
03/12/2025
For the fourth time, Bad Bunny is the most-streamed Wrapped artist on Spotify gl...
03/12/2025
The wait is over. It's time to look back at the audio that defined your year with 2025 Spotify Wrapped, our annual celebration for fans, artists, creators, ...
03/12/2025
Por cuarta vez, Bad Bunny es el Top Artista Global de Wrapped en Spotify, con 19...
03/12/2025
Spotify Wrapped is back, and as always, it's powered by the billions of streams that fans around the world delivered throughout the year. From the artists w...
03/12/2025
Spotify Wrapped is the moment when hundreds of millions of fans around the world...
03/12/2025
With more than 700 million listeners around the world turning to Spotify to soundtrack their lives, it's time to look back at the audio that defined the yea...
03/12/2025
Con m s de 700 millones de oyentes en todo el mundo usando Spotify para acompa ar su d a a d a, es momento de mirar hacia atr s y ver el audio que marc el a o....
03/12/2025
From page-turning thrillers to inspiring memoirs, audiobooks are becoming a core...
03/12/2025
Com mais de 700 milh es de ouvintes em todo o mundo recorrendo ao Spotify para embalar seu dia a dia, chega o momento de revisitar o udio que marcou o ano. Nos...
03/12/2025
Spotify Wrapped celebrates the audio that defined our year, and the annual globa...
03/12/2025
Wuppertal December 3, 2025
Riedel and Haivision Join Forces to Advance Wireless Video TransmissionRiedel Communications today announced a new partnership with...
03/12/2025
Tell us a little bit about your job I am a Digital Marketing Executive working on Paid Social, PPC, and Organic Social. I joined the team in May 2025 and am enj...
03/12/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. and VIENNA - Dec. 3, 2025 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) and Normann...
03/12/2025
S an Nollaig
Celebrate 2025's top Irish sporting stars with RT Sport Awards live from RT Studios on RT One and RT Player
RT pays tribute to Ror...
02/12/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
02/12/2025
--
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the International Telecommunication Unio...
02/12/2025
Harmonic's cOS Platform Will Redefine Subscribers' Quality of Experience, Lowering Churn SAN JOSE, Calif. - Dec. 2, 2025 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today...
02/12/2025
S an Nollaig
Hollywood blockbusters The Banshees of Inisherin, Barbie and Oppenheimer make their Irish TV debut
Tune into the classics such as Love Actual...
02/12/2025
Showcasing fresh Irish storytelling and emerging talent Storyland 2025 signals a fantastic time for Irish drama
RT and F s ireann/Screen Ireland are proud to...
01/12/2025
MANCHESTER, UK - November 2025 - Announced two days before the 30th anniversary of Oasis' debut album, Definitely Maybe, the Oasis Live '25 tour marks t...
01/12/2025
01 Dec 2025
Kyivstar and Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation Select Go...
01/12/2025
The prequel to the global hit Sky Original mob crime saga, Gomorrah' is a s...
01/12/2025
Featuring Florence Welch, Red Hot Chilli Peppers' Flea, designer Bella Freud...
01/12/2025
Fox Corporation Chief Financial Officer Steve Tomsic to Participate in Upcoming ...
01/12/2025
Arvato Systems' Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) Receives BSI C5 Certification (T...
01/12/2025
Summary This short video gives you an summary of the changes in under two minutes.
--...
01/12/2025
As the festive season approaches, RT Supporting the Arts is proud to showcase a...
01/12/2025
Festive specials of Christmas in Kilmainham presented by Marty Whelan, High Road Low Road, Callan Kicks the Year and Keys to My Life
Ring in the New Year with ...
01/12/2025
Architect and television presenter Hugh Wallace, best known to RT audiences as a long-serving judge on Home of the Year, has died at the age of 68.
In a state...
28/11/2025
It's easy to ignore those little red update available badges. But when it ...
28/11/2025
Friday 28 November 2025
Sky Sports x Slawn drop limited-edition football jersey...
28/11/2025
Rohde & Schwarz shows resilience in a challenging environment, revenue exceeds t...
28/11/2025
Unwrapped: The Toy Show Appeal - airing this Sunday on RT One and RT Player- s...
27/11/2025
27 Nov 2025
GSMA brings M360 Eurasia 2026 to Samarkand in partnership with VEON...
27/11/2025
Tahar Rahim and Izuka Hoyle star in the gripping six-part Sky Original from Acad...
27/11/2025
Thursday 27 November 2025
Sky Arts Reveals the Nation's Greatest Basslines - and Queen Reign Supreme
The UK's most iconic basslines have been revealed...
27/11/2025
Rating reflects rating progress across areas including policies, diversity & inclusion, health & safety and Net Zero leadership
Winchester, UK, 27 November 202...
27/11/2025
What are the industry standards for Retail Media? Kathryn explains that certification is based on the IAB Europe Retail Media Measurement Standards and the IAB ...
27/11/2025
World champion boxer and Irish sporting icon Katie Taylor will be in studio this...
27/11/2025
Roblox, one of the world's most popular online gaming platforms for primary ...