Lightwell Studio
Lightwell Studio is an Australian design studio founded in 2004 that designs and produces end-to-end digital media experiences, including interactive exhibits and large-scale public artworks, for museums, cultural institutions, and government clients across Australia and the Asia Pacific.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersDarlinghurst, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Lightwell Studio does
Lightwell Studio (trading as Lightwell Group Pty Ltd, ACN 633 868 210) is an Australian design studio founded in 2004 in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, that designs and produces digital media experiences for museums, galleries, and public spaces. The company offers end-to-end, in-house production covering concept design, content development, UI/UX design, custom software production, cinematography, animation, sound design, accessibility testing, onsite installation and commissioning, and ongoing documentation and support. Its core products are interactive museum exhibits (touchscreens, projections, video walls, multi-user touchwalls) and large-scale public space installations (LED displays, projection mapping, data-driven permanent artworks such as the High Water blade at Green Square Plaza, which integrates live weather and tidal data into generative visuals).
Technically, Lightwell builds with a stack that includes AngularJS for responsive web apps, Drupal backends with custom CMS, and C++ with openFrameworks for generative art and hardware-coupled installations. The studio integrates live data feeds (weather, tidal, environmental sensors) into visual experiences and combines hand-crafted illustration with computer-generated patterns. Its team has completed more than 500 projects spanning Australia and the Asia Pacific over more than 15 years, and has won National Trust Heritage Awards in 2019 (Anzac Memorial Centenary Project) and 2022 (Sisters of Mercy Heritage Centre and Old Dubbo Gaol).
Lightwell operates as a B2B professional services firm with project-based, quote-driven contracts. Revenue is generated through direct engagement with museums, government departments, cultural institutions, and public space developers, acquired via outreach, referrals, and repeat relationships. The studio maintains a portfolio website (lightwell.com.au) and Instagram as primary marketing channels. Notable clients include the Australian Museum, National Museum of Australia, Western Australian Museum, State Library of NSW, City of Sydney, Sydney Metro, Sydney Airport, Commonwealth Bank, Taronga Zoo, Royal Flying Doctor Service, and Sydney Jewish Museum. The business is founder-led by Creative Director Indigo Hanlee, with no disclosed external investment, parent company, or funding rounds.
Lightwell Studio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lightwell Studio
- Legal name
- Lightwell Group Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://lightwell.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Lightwell Studio is an Australian design studio founded in 2004 that designs and produces end-to-end digital media experiences, including interactive exhibits and large-scale public artworks, for museums, cultural institutions, and government clients across Australia and the Asia Pacific.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lightwell Studio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Museum and Public Space Digital Experience Design
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Photographic Services (54192)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Video/IMAG & LED Wall Production (MPAGAKAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Post-Production Facilities & Suites (Edit/Color/Sound Stages) (MPADAGAI)
Keywords
Where Lightwell Studio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Darlinghurst
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lightwell Studio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Museum and cultural institution projects: Project-based contracts for developing digital experiences, multimedia installations, interactive exhibits, and web applications for museums, galleries, and cultural institutions. Services range from concept design through to final commissioning and delivery.
- Public space installations: Digital installations for public spaces including permanent artworks, interactive displays, and multimedia environments for government and institutional clients.
- Custom multimedia development: Custom software production, media design, content management systems, and ongoing support services for cultural and educational institutions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
Lightwell Studio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lightwell Studio designs and produces end-to-end digital media experiences for museums, galleries, and public spaces, including interactive exhibits, touchscreen and touchwall installations, video walls, projection mapping, soundscapes, responsive web applications, and permanent LED-based public artworks. All production stages—concept design, content shaping, writing, photography, animation, sound design, software development, hardware integration, and onsite commissioning—are handled in-house by a team of artists, designers, and developers.
Product overview
Lightwell Studio is a design studio that creates digital experiences for museums and public spaces. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services structured as a unified production capability, encompassing concept design, content development, media design (UI/UX), software production (interactive apps, immersive environments, web, CMS), cinematography, video editing, illustration and animation, sound design, user accessibility testing, onsite installation and commissioning, and ongoing documentation and support. Their core products include Museum Digital Experiences featuring interactive touchscreens, projections, and video walls, as well as Public Space Digital Installations including LED displays, projection mapping, and data-driven artworks. With over 15 years of experience and more than 500 digital projects completed, the studio provides end-to-end in-house production without reliance on outside contractors for the main building blocks of their productions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Museum Digital Experiences
- Public Space Digital Installations
Quantifiable outcome
- 500+ digital projects completed
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Lightwell Studio
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Lightwell Studio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Lightwell Studio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Sydney AirportcoreDeveloped SYDStories website launched for Sydney Airport's Centenary in June 2019, telling the story of Sydney Airport from pre-settlement to present.
- City of SydneycoreCommissioned High Water permanent public artwork at Green Square Plaza, installed in 2018. Nine-metre LED blade interpreting local weather patterns and tidal information.
- Juluwarlu Aboriginal CorporationcoreSince 2017, developed exhibition celebrating Yindjibarndi Culture with interactive touchtables, education programs, videos and animations.
- City of SydneycoreCommissioned Forgotten Songs permanent public art installation at Angel Place, comprising 180 bird cages with soundscape of historic bird species.
- National Museum of AustraliacoreYiwarra Kuju exhibition about the Canning Stock Route, initially shown in July 2010. Also collaborated on Great Southern Land exhibition, Defining Moments, and Landmarks galleries.
- Australian MuseumcoreOngoing collaboration with Australian Museum on multiple projects including Climate Change interactive for Surviving Australia gallery and Minerals gallery interactives.
- Sydney Jewish MuseumcoreCollaborated on redevelopment of The Holocaust permanent exhibition and Human Rights exhibition, producing multimedia components including projections, videos, animations, and touchscreen interactives.
- State Library of NSWcoreCreated Voyages of Discovery interactive web app for the Library, featuring AngularJS framework and integrated Drupal backend.
- Department of Planning and Environment NSWcoreCollaborated on Parramatta North Touchwall for the Western Sydney Startup Hub, displaying interactive timeline of historic North Parramatta precinct.
- Sydney MetrocoreCreated Sundial permanent public artwork at Victoria Cross Station - a digital sundial and video art piece on 12-metre LED screen.
- Western Australian MuseumcoreDeveloped 14 digital interactives and video productions across four galleries for Boola Bardip museum.
- The Anzac MemorialcoreProduced suite of digital media for Anzac Memorial's Centenary Exhibition, including videowalls, touchscreen interactives, and touchtable. Won National Trust Heritage Award 2019.
- Royal Flying Doctor ServicecoreCreated multimedia for RFDS Dubbo Base visitor experience, including control room projections, documentary, touchscreens, and augmented reality iPad apps.
- Powerhouse Museum (MAAS)coreProduced interactive digital chemistry installation for MAAS Experimentations Gallery, featuring multi-user touchwall exploring elements.
- NextSensecoreDelivered multimedia suite for NextSense headquarters at Macquarie University including video wall, immersive projection, and digital signage.
- Hunter WarbirdscoreDeveloped suite of films, video interviews and interactive touchscreens for Defending Our Skies exhibition at Hunter Warbirds attraction.
- Australian Sports MuseumcoreProduced digital media for Australian Sports Museum including Hall of Fame touchscreens, map interactive, soundscapes, and video projections.
- Taronga ZoocoreDeveloped capacitive touchwall for Great Southern Oceans section explaining plastic pollution effects on wildlife.
- Taronga ZoocoreDeveloped outdoor multi-user motion-tracking installation for Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Centre featuring cooperative games with ARC mascots.
- Scienceworks MelbournecoreCreated Future Cities multi-user interactive installation allowing visitors to construct sustainable homes and manage future city.
- Freeman Ryan DesigncoreFrequent design collaboration partner on museum and cultural institution projects across Australia.
- Interactive ControlsmajorTechnology and hardware integration partner for interactive installations and exhibit hardware.
- Gujaga FoundationcoreCollaborated on multiple Indigenous cultural projects including Cape Solander video artwork and SYDStories.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lightwell Studio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lightwell Studio social profiles
Digital presenceLightwell Studio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lightwell Studio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Lightwell Studio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lightwell Studio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lightwell Studio
What does Lightwell Studio do?
Lightwell Studio designs and produces end-to-end digital media experiences for museums, galleries, and public spaces, including interactive exhibits, touchscreen and touchwall installations, video walls, projection mapping, soundscapes, responsive web applications, and permanent LED-based public artworks. All production stages—concept design, content shaping, writing, photography, animation, sound design, software development, hardware integration, and onsite commissioning—are handled in-house by a team of artists, designers, and developers.
Is Lightwell Studio a public or private company?
Lightwell Studio is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Lightwell Studio founded?
Lightwell Studio was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Lightwell Studio based?
Lightwell Studio is headquartered in Darlinghurst, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Lightwell Studio make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Museum and cultural institution projects are the primary driver. The others are public space installations and custom multimedia development.
Does Lightwell Studio have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lightwell Studio.
What industry is Lightwell Studio in?
Lightwell Studio's product category is Museum and Public Space Digital Experience Design. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAKAD, Video/IMAG & LED Wall Production, with a secondary code of MPADAGAI, Post-Production Facilities & Suites (Edit/Color/Sound Stages). Its NAICS code is 512 and its SIC code is 7330.