We caught up with the team in a mini-interview to find out what the iconic lighting and production design studio has been up to.
Renegade Design is a production and lighting company. Tell us about some of the clients that you’ve worked with recently.
Over the years the studio has established lasting relationships with several brands, individuals and international production companies. Most of our projects are generated by the strong network we have nurtured through our creative practice.
This summer we have worked with old and new clients, from product launches for Samsung and private events at Tate Modern, to designs for rock band Kasabian and pre-production for the upcoming fashion seasons.
You do everything from Fashion Week, to events, and in-store fit-outs. What is the process from the initial conversation to the finished project?
Clients usually come to us with an initial concept and budget, however things always tend to change and evolve along the way. Each project is made up of the voices and necessities of different creative roles, working towards a final unified vision. It’s a continuous dialogue which involves a lot of problem-solving and flexibility, whilst trying to protect our own ideas and visual integrity.
Renegade Design is based at Tileyard London, the heart of Europe’s creative and music community. How have you found being a part of Tileyard and the creative energy around you?
We love being at Tileyard. We first moved here in 2014 when it was at the early stages of its creative development. We were planning to expand the studio and move into a larger space, however the pandemic changed everything, and we had to relocate all operations remotely for a couple of years. We are extremely grateful to be now back in the space; its energy is undeniably playing an important role in this new chapter for Renegade Design. We feel very motivated to keep pushing forward, creating great new work and connecting with the surrounding community.
The live music scene has really picked up in the past few months. How does your approach to a live music show, for example, differ to a London Fashion Week show?
It’s a very distinct approach, mainly dictated by the inherent characteristics of the two formats. A live music show is usually part of a broader body of work that we develop for a band or a specific artist; our output is not just limited to the lighting element but often stretches into creative direction and design for multiple shows (or a tour) – we work within a larger overarching narrative and in close contact with musicians.
Working on a fashion show is completely different, mainly due to the short time frame of the event and that we are normally commissioned by a production company, we rarely work directly for brands. We are presented with a well-formed concept and our job is to respond to the brief creating the best possible design to achieve the brand’s optimal vision and potential.
The work that we’ve seen that you’ve done for Hermès is stunning! What was your objective on the brief from them?
We had the privilege to work on different projects for HERMÈS, the most recent one being an installation at ‘The Old Sessions House’ in London to present their ‘Gelato SS22’ collection.
Working alongside their creative team, we took over multiple areas of the building creating an immersive environment for the guests. The brief was very specific in terms of colour palette (echoing the collection) and the emotions that the lighting had to convey: a dreamlike pastel-tinted space, the suspended time of summer afternoons, warm and uplifting.
The lighting installations are beyond impressive. What have some of your favourites been to work on?
Thank you, we’d love to do more of them! One of our favourites is definitely ‘After Dark’ which was set within Chiswick House & Gardens.
We had a lot of space and freedom to create a series of site-specific works of light.
No brands or specific briefs were involved, we just used light, sound and the existing natural environment. Unique bespoke designs were created for each area of the gardens, creatively responding to the natural and sculptural elements with the purpose of enhancing the experience of wandering through nature at night.
Apart from the coffee at Vinyl Café, what are some of your favourite things about being based at Tileyard?
Some of our closest friends and clients are also based at Tileyard so it almost doesn’t feel like coming to work. The proximity to King’s Cross is also very inspiring as we identify with its dynamism and constant strive for innovation.
