The film is set after a technological meltdown or ’blackout, where all digital data was either erased or compromised. This set up a world where advanced technology exists but is available only to a specific set of the population, such as large corporations.

As a result the UI designs can be broken down based on different class structures. Wallace Corporation, the leading technological super power in the film, have the most advanced technology and their UI design is the most elegant and minimalist of the lot. The system used by the LAPD is much less advanced, but still much better than what the general public has access to. They are a bit clunky and gritty in comparison to the Wallace UI. Then there’s K’s spinner, which is dilapidated and barely functional and helps re-enforce K’s low status as a Blade Runner.

This approach to UI design helps provide context to the story and adds depth to the characters.

Many of the screens were shot live on set for the actors to interact with. Most had an initial state, an action state, and a looping state, which was triggered by actors or production staff on cue. Other shots such as the Morgue sequence and the Denabase system needed special attention and lots of tweaking. As a result Cantina Creative were brought in to work with the in-house team at Sony to refine shots in post with direction from Denis Villeneuve (Director).

Here are some images (courtesy of Territory Studio) of the different UI groups.

Wallace Corp