Setellite started as an in-house project at Planet X. Frustrated by the difficulty of collecting on-set data and inspired by the possibilities of the then-new iPad, they began building an app for data wranglers and on-set supervisors to collect data during shoots. This data is used during post-production to create visual effects. Ten years later, Setellite became a household name in the VFX community and is used for many major shows. Bureaudonald. joined the project from the beginning and is responsible for the UI, UX, and brand design of Setellite. Unwind is the partner for web and platform technology.

Setellite on Set

The Setellite iPad app replaces paper clipboards or heavy laptops running Filemaker. The app works both online and offline, using a sophisticated syncing system. It allows Data Wranglers to collect all the data on set anytime, anywhere.

Setellite in the Studio

With the Setellite platform, the VFX Supervisor can efficiently check the data in real-time or at a later stage. The platform also facilitates the export of reports or the connection of data to the next software in the pipeline, such as ShotGrid, streamlining the data management process.

Information Typography

When designing Setellite’s interface, the challenge was to create typography that could hold a lot of information and was clear for every user.
Information exists on different levels and is interconnected. For instance, within a “slate” (a shot of a particular part of a scene), there may be multiple “takes” (recordings of that scene) that require take-specific details. Additionally, there may be multiple cameras on set, each with different details of the same take, such as distance, camera angles, and lenses.

Icons

Creating a niche app requires many specific and custom designs. Every of the more than 50 icons used in the interface was custom-made.

On your screen

Setellite is used on productions for Netflix, Warner Bros, Apple+, Paramount, HBO, and Peacock, just to name a few. Next time you watch a show, it might be possible that Setellite was used on the set.

Ident

Lastly, we created a cool ident for all promotional and instruction videos. These are some stills where the “Setellite” collects data.