When it comes to seamlessly blending creativity with technology no one does it better than Great Britain. The UK creative industries boast a stellar selection of designers who using cutting-edge technologies, can break-ground with tremendous spectaculars which empathise with different cultures and attract global audiences.
NEWSUBSTANCE is a UK based design studio who imagine, innovate, design, build and perform world-class and iconic ceremonies which engage and amazes watchers on.
Having honed their craft for the past 15 years, the Leeds based designers were appointed by ceremony producers FiveCurrents to work on the opening ceremony for the hotly anticipated Expo 2020, which took place in Dubai, September 2021.
NEWSUBSTANCE meticulously collaborated on the overall creative for the two-hour ceremony – and were responsible for the design, delivery and instillation process of the two main centrepieces of the show.
A feast for the eyes, the acclaimed NEWSUBSTANCE team created a seven-metre wide LED planet, which using an innovative catenary system, magnificently rose out of the stage floor.
The team also designed seven 10m scenic clouds, which were filled with helium and kitted out with battery powered internal lighting to captivate the 3000 audience members in the ultra-elegant Al Wasl Plaza.
Earning their position as a global leader in ceremony instillation and design, NEWSUBSTANCE worked closely with several of the show’s suppliers to ensure seamless integration throughout the showcase.
NEWSUBSTANCE’s stellar work on Expo 2020’s opening ceremony follows a successful run of renowned spectaculars within the UAE, including the iconic Abu Dhabi National Day Ceremony in 2019.
Explaining NEWSUBSTANCE’s bespoke offer, Paul Crick, Head of Client Services said:
“Realising brave and ambitious projects all over the world we help clients imagine the most creative ways to communicate with their audience.
“We occupy a space where design meets drama, yielding creativity to challenge, engage and amaze its audience.
“Whether it is a bespoke commission, developing creative or pure fabrication we build from a strong performance point of view and engineering perspective propelled by the principle that every aspect of our work has to perform.”
NEWSUBSTANCE thrives on expanding their portfolio in not just the UAE, but the rest of the wider Gulf Region – a hot market for UK creative industries with nations investing heavily into experience to tremendously diversify the economy, in line with UAE Vision and Saudi Vision 2030.
Video encapsulates the extravaganza of Expo 2020 opening ceremony,
To support this the NEWSUBSTANCE team has been hand-picked to attend the UK Creative Industries Trade Mission to UAE, a jam-packed programme of activity centred around Expo 2020, Dubai Design Week and CityScape MENA.
The Mission, hosted by the Department for International Trade, has been designed to showcase the very best of UK creative industries and how their expertise can innovate the next generation of visitor experience across the Gulf Region. A huge empathise is being place don ‘Meet the Buyers’, in which participating UK companies will engage with leader players, decision makers and investors to discuss their offering and negotiate business deals.
The Mission group is set to brim with architects, interior designers, experimental designers and creative technology specialists Those interested in meeting with NEWSUBSTANCE and/or the rest of the delegation should contact Laura Bos, Sector Lead for Creative Industries and Experience Economy at DIT for arrangement.
Creative Industries Trade Mission to UAE takes place November 8-12, 2021.
Cover image of Abu Dhabi National Day 2019, project by NEWSUBSTANCE
