Milwaukee, Wisconsin: WTMJ-TV launched their new HD News Set on Sunday, September 9th!

“Our new set is fantastic.  Devlin was able to make great use of our existing space and create something contemporary, but still warm, for both our news programs and our local talk show.  The bar is now set very high in the Milwaukee market.”  ~Gregg Schraufnagel

Creative Services Director, WTMJ-TV (TODAY’S TMJ4)

The new WTMJ news set is quite expansive. It features the Main AnchorDesk/Main Background Area, the “Storm Team 4” Weather Center Area and a Multi-Purpose/Performance Area that is shared with the new “The Morning Blend” set! The new news set is a blend of sophisticated technology and design, incorporating several large video walls; One 2×5 video monitor wall in the shared multi-purpose/performance area and one 2×3 video monitor wall in the main background area plus a smaller 1×4 strip of monitors in the Weather Center. The Weather Center area also has several rolling kiosks: One which houses four 46” Monitors, and another one that has a 65″ U-Touch Screen complete with Accu-Weather software.

“Devlin’s design gives us the technology and the tools to tell great stories.  They’ve created a set that looks high-tech and inviting all at the same time.” ~Bill Berra, Vice President of News – Journal Broadcast Group.

We designed the News set to be a mix of contemporary and traditional elements using rich, warm wood tones combined with sleek contemporary metal finishes mixed with state of the art technology and contrasted by bright back-lit, color changing acrylics to create a Hi-Tech yet Classy feel to the Set. ~Kartik Dakshinamoorthy, Scenic Design Director, Devlin Design Group.

The new Morning Blend set, which is adjacent to the Main News set, is infused with warm copper metals and rich cherry wood, both of which enhance the warm tones of the set and create a homier feel. These same finishes are reflected in the main News set which ties them both together however, the main News set has a completely different modern, hi-tech look.

The Morning Blend set also features a curved crème leather sofa interchangeable graphic backgrounds and LED color changing lights to provide a variety of different looks and moods for the show. They also have several custom built demonstration tables at their disposal including one that comes complete with a state of the art, GE Profile “Clean Design” cook top for hosting live cooking segments!

Lighting of the Set:

The lighting of the new News and The Morning Blend sets was very extensive. We incorporated the new BL.16 lighting fixture from Brightline. WTMJ is only the second station to incorporate Brightline’s new BL.16 lighting fixture. This high output LED fixture offers many beam and accessory options, allowing designers ultimate control, while requiring very little power and generating little heat. 

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