Channel 5 News Illuminated Desk
When Channel 5 News required a striking new studio centrepiece, specialist fabricators Talbot Designs delivered a solution that combined technical precision with visual impact. Using 10mm and 20mm PERSPEX® Spectrum LED Opal 1T77 acrylic supplied by Perspex Distribution, the team created a bespoke illuminated news desk formed in the shape of the iconic Channel 5 logo.
Designed to make a bold statement on screen while meeting the practical demands of a busy broadcast environment, the desk features independently illuminated top and mid sections capable of displaying millions of colour variations. The result is a highly adaptable studio centrepiece that can be tailored to different programming styles, lighting schemes and broadcast requirements.
Precision fabrication using PERSPEX® Spectrum LED
The project was designed and engineered entirely in-house by Richard Woolff, Managing Director at Talbot Designs, using advanced 3D drawing software to develop the complex forms and detailing required.
Taking advantage of Talbot’s huge 3 metre acrylic ovens, the complex structure was heated before being mounded and meticulously cemented, machined and polished by the company’s fabrication specialists.
PERSPEX® Spectrum LED 1T77 was selected for its exceptional constant light transmission and ability to deliver vibrant, evenly diffused illumination across the entire structure. The material enabled Talbot Designs to achieve the high-quality illuminated finish demanded for a premium broadcast set while maintaining the strength and durability required for intensive studio use.
Engineered for broadcast performance
Central to the design specification was ease of use in the fast moving news studio.
One of the key challenges of the specification was that the desk needs to be assembled and derigged on set approximately 770 each year! The chosen materials needed to stand up in terms of their robustness and long-term performance capabilities, and the PERSPEX® acrylic specification did just that.
The fabrication also incorporated innovative access points, enabling sections to be demountable without specialist tools allowing for straightforward maintenance and rapid access to the LED systems whenever required.
Far more than a visual centrepiece, the desk was engineered to accommodate the complex technical infrastructure required within a modern television studio
Despite the main desk weighing approximately 300kg, the whole group of parts were designed with mobility in mind. Studio-grade, non-marking silent wheels allow the units to be repositioned quickly and safely by just two operators, ensuring flexibility within the studio environment.
A project that delivered on every level
“The Channel 5 News desk represents a project that combined our company’s 80 years’ experience of creativity, technical challenge and craftsmanship in equal measure,” said Richard Woolf.
“From concept development through to final installation, the project showcased how innovative Perspex® acrylic fabrication and advanced LED integration can transform a functional broadcast desk into a dynamic visual feature with a unique on-screen presence.
The finished result is a striking example of how PERSPEX® Spectrum LED continues to enable designers and fabricators push the boundaries of illuminated acrylic applications across broadcast, retail and commercial interiors.”