At Dow Studios, we take pride in translating complex, high-tech projects into compelling visual stories. One of our standout collaborations in this category was a fully integrated photo and video campaign focused on custom-built aviation control desks. Designed for use in flight control rooms, these desks go far beyond standard office furniture. Built in cooperation with end-users, they include highly specialized features tailored to the exacting needs of aviation professionals.
This project offered a unique blend of challenges and opportunities. With a clear brief, multiple pre-production meetings, and an on-site recce, we were well-prepared to highlight the innovation and engineering behind these control systems—both through photography and video.
Photography: Precision Meets Design
Our photography approach had two key objectives: document the sleek architectural design of the desks and showcase their advanced capabilities through close-up and lifestyle shots.
We focused on:
- Wide-angle architectural images to illustrate how the desks integrate into the control room.
- Close-up details showing advanced features such as cable management systems, modular drawers, adjustable screen arms, and built-in communication panels.
- Lifestyle shots featuring a talent actively using the desks to simulate realistic control scenarios: adjusting equipment, taking calls, and interacting with multi-screen setups.
This balance of form and function helped convey that these are more than just desks—they are highly engineered workstations crafted for mission-critical performance.
Videography: Telling the Full Story
While photography emphasized design and detail, the video brought the desks to life.
We built a storyline that follows a user arriving at the desk, engaging with its many features, and exiting the workspace. Through this narrative, we revealed the practical applications of each design element, from automated screen adjustments to integrated communication hubs.
To further enhance viewer understanding, we layered in clean, dynamic motion graphics and supers that explained specific desk features in real time. This storytelling approach was both informative and visually engaging, especially effective for potential buyers or stakeholders reviewing the desk’s functionality.
Built for Performance, Designed for People
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was helping to illustrate how these workstations were co-developed with the end user. Each drawer, panel, screen bracket, and cable port was placed with intention.
Our task was to translate that engineering story into visuals that felt clear, precise, and aspirational. The photos and video succeeded in showing how the desks serve the person behind the controls—supporting ergonomics, efficiency, and 24/7 functionality.
Real-World Challenges, Creative Solutions
Executing this project on-site, inside an operational flight control room, came with limitations. The desks were fixed in place, lighting conditions varied throughout the day, and our window for shooting was short. Coordinating photo and video in tandem under these circumstances demanded careful timing and flexibility.
In addition, some key desk components—such as integrated large and small screens—were not yet installed at the time of shooting. This required us to adjust our visual strategy and creatively work around those absences without compromising the clarity and intent of the visuals.
We solved this challenge in post-production. All photographs were delivered with the ‘actual’ screens added from other reference images. This required meticulous compositing to ensure realism—balancing reflections, lighting, and angle to make the screens appear naturally integrated.
Despite these challenges, our team adapted quickly, using natural lighting where possible and staging shots with minimal disruption to ongoing operations. The end result: a high-end visual showcase that matched the sophistication of the product itself.
Final Takeaway
This aviation control desk project exemplifies how creative direction, technical execution, and thoughtful storytelling can elevate even the most functional product into something inspirational. By combining photography and video in one streamlined production, we helped our client capture not just a desk, but a complete user experience.
If you’re working on a project where form meets function—and where the stakes are high—Dow Studios is your trusted partner in visual storytelling.