KYNDRL
The Kyndryl
Institute
The challenge
Kyndryl was preparing to host its Institute event in Dublin: an intimate, high-level gathering focused on leadership, innovation, and enterprise technology.
Unlike large-scale conferences, this format required something more refined: a controlled, premium environment where conversations, not spectacle, take center stage.
The challenge was deceptively complex:
Design a fireside chat set that feels both intimate and authoritative
Create a visually engaging 90-degree environment that works seamlessly across a 3-camera setup
Ensure brand consistency with the Kyndryl Institute identity while elevating its presence on screen
Balance simplicity and sophistication without distracting from the speakers
Deliver a system flexible enough to support multiple content formats:
Fireside chats
Executive interviews
Social cutdowns
Idle screen content
Event hype video
Kyndryl needed more than a backdrop—they needed a designed storytelling environment that would translate across every piece of content captured during the event.
The solution
Somnio approached the project as both a design challenge and a content ecosystem.
Rather than creating a single visual direction, we developed three distinct set design concepts, each exploring a different balance of brand expression, atmosphere, and production performance:
Modern Minimalist: A clean, understated environment focused on clarity and focus
Corporate Elegance: A polished, structured design reinforcing Kyndryl’s authority
Tech-Inspired Innovation: A bold, future-facing concept bringing energy and depth to the space
Each concept was designed specifically for:
A 90-degree set configuration to maximize camera angles
Three-camera coverage, ensuring visual variety in post-production
Controlled lighting and materials to avoid glare and maintain broadcast quality
Beyond the physical set, Somnio considered the full content lifecycle.
We designed the environment to support a multi-format production strategy, including:
Fireside chats and executive conversations
Interview formats for thought leadership content
Social media cutdowns optimized for engagement
Idle screen visuals for on-site experience
A hype video to build anticipation and extend the event’s reach
To ensure the final output met industry standards, we also conducted competitive research across leading brands analyzing how organizations approach similar formats; then elevated those benchmarks through a more cohesive and cinematic design system.
Award-winning campaign for Kyndryl
The Telly Awards (2026)
Bronze Winner — Kyndryl Institute Sizzle Video, in Science & Technology Campaign
The results
The result was a versatile, high-end content environment that elevated Kyndryl’s Institute event beyond a traditional corporate setup.
The final set design enabled:
Seamless production across multiple formats without visual compromise
A consistent, recognizable visual identity across all content outputs
A premium on-camera presence that reinforced Kyndryl’s positioning as a technology leader
By designing with both production and storytelling in mind, Somnio transformed a physical set into a content engine, one capable of generating value far beyond the event itself.