What’s your name and what do you do at Bendac?
My name is Michael Goodyear, and I am a Motion Graphics Designer at Bendac.
Why did you choose to become a Motion Graphics Designer?
My background is music production, which is something I have been doing for a number of years. Videography and editing naturally are closely linked. My career starting in video production and marketing, there was the natural progression into exploring motion graphics and animations.
What is a typical day like for you?
My day ranges depending on tasks and client work to be done. It mostly revolves around checking social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, for latest ideas and inspiration. I am involved in creative project management and execution of several projects covering a range of disciplines. From time to time, I like to take online tutorials on animation, in order to develop my skills. I am also keen to understand other components of the business that are developing, so enjoy discussing these with other team members.
We have a rapidly growing young team, so an element of my day involves mentoring and training some of the newer members of the team, this is not limited to training our Junior Food Taster; Bugsy the dog. Another key component to my job is the creation of bespoke content for clients and for social media channels. Through these opportunities I have been able to learn and test new skills.
With the creation of the Formula One concept, what was the process behind it?
I initially was given the brief by Ben, Managing Director, with the aim of showcasing how Bendac LED screens could be implemented into Formula One and racing scenarios. Focusing on the racetrack and the garage not just the fan experience. He deliberately left the brief open and kept it very much limitless, which is great for me, as I could really think outside the box.
After receiving the brief, I started with generalised F1 research looking at how a garage works, the layout and where LED could feature without being in the way. This research provided the foundation for how the concept was established, designed, and developed to bring this idea to life. With the limited space available in a Formula One garage there is a need for the screens to be space efficient and not disrupt the flow of the garage. Whilst considering the LED screen placement, it was key to consider colour branding, usability, and content display. As a result, these elements and space limitation required the necessity to be creative with screen placement. This resulted in me ensuring they are in the most beneficial spot for both engineers and for branding.
I placed screens in four areas of the garage: under-lighting of the car, top-down lights, within VIP areas and the surrounding walls. One of the many benefits of LED is the fact that they are modular, enabling the easy construction of shapes. You can quite literally build screens around obstacles. Within Formula One there are two drivers whose names and images are displayed above the garage door. These are currently printed boards that are carried with the teams. On the occasions where a reserve driver is called up to race, printed boards could make it difficult to change the boards at short notice. Upgrading these panels to LED will enable the name and image to be a motion graphic and be updated within a matter of minutes.
Brand identity is a key element within F1, this can be seen through the team colours as well as the sponsors logos. LED can elevate the brand identity with animation. Establishing and developing the brand presence can be done effectively using LED it can change how the space is branded. The use of LED can elevate the presentation of sponsorship and branding for those millions of fans watching at home. For those in VIP, the use of Bendac LED screens within the garage can offer the quick and simple personalisation for those touring pre-race start.
The LED plinth under the car in combination with the top-down light offers both functionality and artistic benefits for the vehicle. Functionally lighting areas of the vehicle to aid the engineers with repairs ahead of a race, whilst also lighting the sponsors whilst in the garage. One benefit of the use of LED, is due to its modular nature; it is relatively easy to piece together – a necessity to consider whilst putting this concept together. A big one for this is how it can be developed for both fixed and touring applications. F1 is a roadshow and needs to be travelled around the world. LED can be designed to be packed up and transported easily and repetitively, similar to music industry with touring bands. A fixed example of LED in F1 would be the banner on the outside of the garage.
The layering of screens on the external door enables the placement of advertisement and branding, whilst not effecting the functionality of the door. Flexible LED is a real possibility and I wanted to push the limits of the concept by having one attached to the door itself, something which I haven’t seen before!
To summaries, my impression of the concept itself is just how bold and colourful the screens make the garage. It is something that hasn’t been seen before and could really differentiate one team from the rest. It is this bold customisation and ability to brand, change and morph what strikes me as an interesting application of LED.
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Check below to find out more about our F1 concept
