Transforming decades old lighting workflows into intuitive app first control

Unifying fragmented lighting control without compromising reliability

On set, light is everything—yet control has been fragmented for years. Each manufacturer follows different schemas and pre-digital conventions, creating chaos when seconds matter. Hardware consoles are powerful but inconsistent and steep to learn, often requiring extensive training that crews don't have time for.Slyyd needed to unify multi-vendor lighting into one coherent product while staying reliable under the stressful, seconds-count environment of professional film sets.

The technical scope was significant, requiring world-class engineering to meet pro-grade performance and connectivity requirements.The domain was completely uncharted for mobile. Workflows were complex and rooted in pre-digital practices. We had to respect what experts already know while creating a modern interface that accelerates mastery for new users.

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Converting decades of on-set strategy into intuitive digital-first interface

The founders brought a clear strategy shaped by decades on set. Together with Creamsource and Nomtek, we set out to convert that strategy into an intuitive digital-first interface that puts the equivalent of multiple control consoles in your hand with an iPad and in your pocket with an iPhone.

Legacy consoles often lacked clear feedback, which could turn debugging into hours of guesswork. We redesigned the experience around immediate system feedback, safe reversibility, and confidence-building affordances so crews can act quickly and recover instantly.

To speed learning, we searched for parallels in tools the target users already know. We drew inspiration from Final Cut, After Effects, Camera Raw, and other creative workflows, using familiar mental models only where they made the work faster and clearer.

App-first interface built for stressful seconds

The interface prioritizes clarity, speed, and reversible action. Critical controls are always within reach, and the system makes state and impact obvious so experts move faster and newcomers learn without friction. Every interaction was designed to build confidence rather than create doubt.

Adaptive layouts across iPad and iPhone

iPad serves as the primary canvas for dense control, offering the full power of traditional consoles. iPhone preserves context and parity so essential workflows remain usable in the field without sacrificing precision. The transition between devices feels seamless, maintaining workflow continuity.

Design system for consistency and scale

Slyyd needed foundations that could support complex engineering today and confident growth tomorrow. With high stakes on set, the design language had to be both reliable and inviting—modern yet grounded for professional use.

We customized our Figma-based design system specifically for Slyyd's needs. Everything is token-based so color, typography, spacing, and states stay perfectly aligned. Components include clear variants and documentation, keeping design and development in sync while making handoffs seamless.

We stayed close to native iPadOS and iOS patterns where they made sense. The interface feels familiar rather than flashy, ensuring usability under pressure. The result is a system that scales without forcing over-the-top visuals that would interfere with serious work, maintaining consistency across features and vendors.

Cross-manufacturer control with visual patching

Slyyd unifies different vendor schemas into one mental model. We designed visual patching that mirrors the rig in software, so teams can map, verify, and troubleshoot complex setups with confidence before the first take. This eliminated the guesswork that plagued traditional console workflows.

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