Set design and news set design: Set Design

Fifteenhundred is a full-service set design company for television news, sports and entertainment programming. Our goal and passion is redefining set design with innovative designs and styles that build solid broadcast brands. We provide custom scenic design, fabrication, lighting design and training at affordable rates.

Fifteenhundred is backed by Michael P. Hill and Dak Dillon, a dynamic pair that bring a wealth of expertise and experience in design. These combined talents give Fifteenhundred the edge in creating the industry's most innovative sets as well as a careful attention to the practical needs of today's television productions.

What makes Fifteenhundred a different kind of news branding company?

One company for visuals

Fifteenhundred provides set design and news graphics design separately or as a package deal, so your visual branding needs can be handled by the same team from start to finish for ultimate value and consistency.

Creativity comes first

Our goal is to create sets, graphics and advice that make your station stand out with unique designs custom-tailored to your needs and brand.

Fewer distractions for us, more time for you

We know that design and customer service are what we do best. So, we let our trusted partners handle things like construction and marketing — leaving us with more time to develop great designs and ideas and serve you.

Less overhead means better value

You won't find a huge staff or fancy offices here. We work smarter and harder to deliver sets and graphcis of excellent value.

Training and training included

Other firms charge extra for training. We don't think that's right since you've already made substantial financial investment with us. At Fifteenhundred, we provide unlimited access to online training materials that help you get the most out of your set and graphics.

Value that lasts

One-time training not only costs a lot, but isn't much good when your staff turns over or simply needs a refresher course. Our online guides are free forever — and don't require you to pay more money for return training.

Fifteenhundred brings a breath of fresh air to the set design and graphics industry.

Knowledge-driven design

Before any line is drawn or pixel rendered, Fifteenhundred focuses on learning more about your station, market, demographics, goals and newscasts and then weaves these factors into our designs.

Don't repeat: Innovate

Stations looking for fresh new looks will feel right at home with us. Rather than constantly using the same designs over and over in different markets, Fifteenhundred focuses on customizing designs for each station, adding unique elements and creativity to every set, even when a syndicated graphics package or set design is used as a base.

Stretching limitations through creativity

We maximize every square foot and dollar spent with scenic elements and technology that can move and be used in more than one way while still creating a wide range of unique looks and options.

Meet Michael P. Hill

• Michael designed and built his first set in eighth grade — a flexible solution for his school’s video announcements. He followed that up with additional sets during high school and college.
• After college and prior to founding Fifteenhundred, he spent two years at a set design firm, working on projects for stations in New Orleans, Atlanta, New Haven, Conn. and a cable sports network.
• Michael has turned his passion for set design into a Web site now known as NewscastStudio. That site has become the worldwide Web authority on television news set design and overseeing the editorial content of the site has made Michael an unparalleled expert on the set design industry, including design trends, techniques and best practices.
• Michael has lent his expertise in set design by authoring multiple articles on set design for Broadcast Engineering Magazine and other trade publications.
• Michael worked as a camera operator at WNEP-TV in Scranton, Pa., giving him first-hand knowledge of the day-to-day demands a set must live up to in the fast-paced world of live news.

Meet Dak Dillon

• Dak has an extensive graphics, drafting and design background, including experience with 3D graphics. At Fifteenhundred, he is known for his knack for designing unique and innovative anchor desks and custom furniture.
  
• In addition, Dak serves as an editor for NewscastStudio, an industry-leading site that covers news set design. He lends his expertise in set design and television to a regularly-updated blog featured on the site.
  
• Dak is also an avid photographer who specializes in news set photography. His carefully trained eye is crucial when designing sets — ensuring accurate and well-composed shots from all camera angles.
• Dak has experience shooting, producing and editing video productions, giving him added knowledge of camera framing, shot blocking, production values and set design.
  
• In addition to set design, Dak has also created race cars for NASCAR teams using a variety of 3D software.