Star Trek : Discovery S1
From Traditional VFX to Virtual Production | 従来のVFXからバーチャルプロダクションへ
Having worked on Star Trek: Discovery across all five seasons, I witnessed its evolution from traditional VFX to virtual production. The early seasons relied heavily on conventional workflows, but by Season 4, virtual production was integrated, transforming how environments and effects were created. This progression reflected the industry's broader shift, and being part of the transition provided invaluable insight into the changing landscape of filmmaking.
Project Credit
Head of Virtual Art Department & Art Direction
Realtime Environment Supervision & Creation
VFX Concept Art, Environment, Digital Matte Painting Supervision & Creation
Star Trek : Discovery S1
From Traditional VFX to Virtual Production | 従来のVFXからバーチャルプロダクションへ
Having worked on Star Trek: Discovery across all five seasons, I witnessed its evolution from traditional VFX to virtual production. The early seasons relied heavily on conventional workflows, but by Season 4, virtual production was integrated, transforming how environments and effects were created. This progression reflected the industry's broader shift, and being part of the transition provided invaluable insight into the changing landscape of filmmaking.
Project Credit
Head of Virtual Art Department & Art Direction
Realtime Environment Supervision & Creation
VFX Concept Art, Environment, Digital Matte Painting Supervision & Creation
PXO BTS | VFX Breakdown
PXO BTS | VFX Breakdown
© CONTENT コンテンツ
(MJ-S10-01)
PROJECT BREAKDOWN プロジェクトの詳細
PROJECT BREAKDOWN
PROJECT BREAKDOWN
PROJECT BREAKDOWN
The Binary Stars
連星での戦い
The Battle at the Binary Stars is a pivotal sequence from Star Trek: Discovery Season 1, occurring in Episode 2: "Battle at the Binary Stars". This moment sets the stage for the entire series, introducing key characters, the Klingon conflict, and the political turmoil that follows. This is also one of the first location I was responsible for developing with my team from concept art to final execution.This is the Concept Art for the Binary Stars, many of it's elements were translated into final 36k DMP.
One of Star Trek’s most cinematic and visually advanced battle sequences, combining stunning VFX and real-time space combat strategy. Introduces Michael Burnham’s tragic fall from grace and Captain Georgiou’s powerful sacrifice. The entire Federation-Klingon War arc is launched from this battle. T’Kuvma’s martyrdom unites the fractured Klingon Empire, making the war against the Federation inevitable.
This is one of the most VFX-heavy and high-profile sequences of the season. The Binary Stars battle required extensive digital effects, large-scale destruction, and immersive space environments.
Alien Desert
エイリアン砂漠
The alien desert scene in Star Trek: Discovery Season 1, Episode 1 – "The Vulcan Hello" takes place on a harsh, barren planet called Crepusculan, where Michael Burnham and Captain Georgiou find themselves stranded during an early mission. Crepusculan, a desolate, wind-swept planet with a vast desert landscape. A blinding sandstorm rolls in, leaving them lost and struggling to navigate through the storm.
Initially, the sequence was envisioned with a distinct purple hue to create an otherworldly atmosphere. I explored how the scene evolved as the storm intensified, gradually enveloping the protagonists in an increasingly dramatic and immersive environment.
As time progressed and the concept evolved, the palette shifted from the initial purple hue to a dramatic orange, enhancing the intensity of the storm and creating a more immersive, cinematic atmosphere that heightened the tension around the protagonists.
This alien desert sequence on Crepusculan in Star Trek: Discovery Season 1, Episode 1 – "The Vulcan Hello" was the very first time we saw Michael Burnham and Captain Philippa Georgiou on screen.
This opening mission served as their introduction to the audience, establishing their mentor-student dynamic before the larger conflict with the Klingons unfolded.
Qonos
クノス
The Qo'noS landing site in Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 appears in memories and visions associated with the Klingon Sarcophagus Ship, which plays a major role in the Battle at the Binary Stars and the early Klingon-Federation conflict. The volcanic terrain, molten lava, and misty atmosphere create an intimidating and ancient feel. The Sarcophagus Ship is not just a warship but a spiritual relic, and its presence on Qo'noS visually ties it to ancient Klingon traditions. This was a concept to final DMP creation I was fortunate to be involved in and one of my favorite moments I had the opportunity to create for the series.
Klingon Black Market
The Klingon Black Market in Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 appears in Episode 13 – "What’s Past Is Prologue" as part of the Mirror Universe arc and the rise of Emperor Georgiou’s power play.
This is a hidden, lawless marketplace operating within Klingon-controlled territory, where contraband, weapons, and information are traded. Known for serving both Klingons and outsiders who are willing to take risks for high-value goods and tied to criminal elements and war profiteers who thrive amid the Klingon-Federation war.
I was assigned to design this market and the surrounded area of this secluded hidden remote location deep in the mountains. This also help to define the environment set extension and DMP needed for the entire sequence.
Klingon Destroyer
クリンゴン石棺
The interior of the Klingon Sarcophagus Ship in Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 is a grand, gothic, and ritualistic space that reflects the ship’s deep spiritual significance to the Klingons. Unlike traditional Klingon warships, this vessel is a flying temple—a sacred relic covered in ancient designs, housing the honored dead of past warriors.
The Klingon Sarcophagus
The interior of The Sarcophagus is one of the beautiful sets I have worked on. My team was responsible for extending the practically build environment, we designed the ceiling and ends of the chamber and matched to the look and feel of the physical set, continuing the ornate, towering architecture and cathedral-like structures.
The space is dimly lit with deep reds, golds, and flicking firelight for an ominous and ceremonial feel. Walls and pillars engraved with Klingon scripture and ancient symbols.
This is not just a warship but a holy relic, emphasizing tradition, faith, and T’Kuvma’s ideological movement.
The gothic, intricate set design makes it one of the most decorative and beautiful Klingon environments ever created.
The Tardigrade
クマムシ
The iconic Tardigrade was a memorable creature that was re-imagined by my team to give it a modern look and a photorealistic quality that fits into the series. We collaborated with the asset department and received base models and created concept of texture + look explorations by painting over grey shaded renders. The following are my 2 versions and the albino look ended up being chosen as the final look and I did a mockup of it being lit in an environment.
The tardigrade, nicknamed "Ripper," first appeared in Season 1 of Star Trek: Discovery, in episode 5, "Choose Your Pain". It was central to the ship's spore drive and was enslaved by Captain Lorca to pilot the USS Discovery.
The Mirror Universe
鏡の宇宙
The Mirror Universe is an alternate reality in Star Trek where many familiar characters exist but with vastly different, often darker, personalities. Instead of the peaceful, diplomatic Federation, this universe is ruled by the Terran Empire, a brutal, authoritarian regime built on conquest, fear, and ruthless ambition.
Mirror Universe Concept Art
Concept Look A
Concept Look B
Concept Look C
I explored many looks and here are the 3 main ones including one experimental look of t e"inverse" in the Look C, where it's actually a white universe that is white as it's really mirroring the look of what we see normally visually.
In the end we went with the deep purple, to ensure it looks similar to the normal world with only a hint of it being different. The deep purple also reflect well to the cut-throat, intimidating aestheric of the Terran Empire with dark, high contrast cinematography.
© CONTENT コンテンツ
(MJ-S10-02)
QUICK ACCESS クイックアクセス
Quick Access
© CONTENT コンテンツ
(MJ-S10-03)
SELECTED PROJECTS 選定されたプロジェクト
The Binary Stars
連星での戦い
The Battle at the Binary Stars is a pivotal sequence from Star Trek: Discovery Season 1, occurring in Episode 2: "Battle at the Binary Stars". This moment sets the stage for the entire series, introducing key characters, the Klingon conflict, and the political turmoil that follows. This is also one of the first location I was responsible for developing with my team from concept art to final execution.This is the Concept Art for the Binary Stars, many of it's elements were translated into final 36k DMP.
One of Star Trek’s most cinematic and visually advanced battle sequences, combining stunning VFX and real-time space combat strategy. Introduces Michael Burnham’s tragic fall from grace and Captain Georgiou’s powerful sacrifice. The entire Federation-Klingon War arc is launched from this battle. T’Kuvma’s martyrdom unites the fractured Klingon Empire, making the war against the Federation inevitable.
This is one of the most VFX-heavy and high-profile sequences of the season. The Binary Stars battle required extensive digital effects, large-scale destruction, and immersive space environments.
Alien Desert
エイリアン砂漠
The alien desert scene in Star Trek: Discovery Season 1, Episode 1 – "The Vulcan Hello" takes place on a harsh, barren planet called Crepusculan, where Michael Burnham and Captain Georgiou find themselves stranded during an early mission. Crepusculan, a desolate, wind-swept planet with a vast desert landscape. A blinding sandstorm rolls in, leaving them lost and struggling to navigate through the storm.
Initially, the sequence was envisioned with a distinct purple hue to create an otherworldly atmosphere. I explored how the scene evolved as the storm intensified, gradually enveloping the protagonists in an increasingly dramatic and immersive environment.
As time progressed and the concept evolved, the palette shifted from the initial purple hue to a dramatic orange, enhancing the intensity of the storm and creating a more immersive, cinematic atmosphere that heightened the tension around the protagonists.
This alien desert sequence on Crepusculan in Star Trek: Discovery Season 1, Episode 1 – "The Vulcan Hello" was the very first time we saw Michael Burnham and Captain Philippa Georgiou on screen.
This opening mission served as their introduction to the audience, establishing their mentor-student dynamic before the larger conflict with the Klingons unfolded.
Qonos
クノス
The Qo'noS landing site in Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 appears in memories and visions associated with the Klingon Sarcophagus Ship, which plays a major role in the Battle at the Binary Stars and the early Klingon-Federation conflict. The volcanic terrain, molten lava, and misty atmosphere create an intimidating and ancient feel. The Sarcophagus Ship is not just a warship but a spiritual relic, and its presence on Qo'noS visually ties it to ancient Klingon traditions. This was a concept to final DMP creation I was fortunate to be involved in and one of my favorite moments I had the opportunity to create for the series.
Klingon Black Market
The Klingon Black Market in Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 appears in Episode 13 – "What’s Past Is Prologue" as part of the Mirror Universe arc and the rise of Emperor Georgiou’s power play.
This is a hidden, lawless marketplace operating within Klingon-controlled territory, where contraband, weapons, and information are traded. Known for serving both Klingons and outsiders who are willing to take risks for high-value goods and tied to criminal elements and war profiteers who thrive amid the Klingon-Federation war.
I was assigned to design this market and the surrounded area of this secluded hidden remote location deep in the mountains. This also help to define the environment set extension and DMP needed for the entire sequence.
Klingon Destroyer
クリンゴン石棺
The interior of the Klingon Sarcophagus Ship in Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 is a grand, gothic, and ritualistic space that reflects the ship’s deep spiritual significance to the Klingons. Unlike traditional Klingon warships, this vessel is a flying temple—a sacred relic covered in ancient designs, housing the honored dead of past warriors.
The Klingon Sarcophagus
The interior of The Sarcophagus is one of the beautiful sets I have worked on. My team was responsible for extending the practically build environment, we designed the ceiling and ends of the chamber and matched to the look and feel of the physical set, continuing the ornate, towering architecture and cathedral-like structures.
The space is dimly lit with deep reds, golds, and flicking firelight for an ominous and ceremonial feel. Walls and pillars engraved with Klingon scripture and ancient symbols.
This is not just a warship but a holy relic, emphasizing tradition, faith, and T’Kuvma’s ideological movement.
The gothic, intricate set design makes it one of the most decorative and beautiful Klingon environments ever created.
The Tardigrade
クマムシ
The iconic Tardigrade was a memorable creature that was re-imagined by my team to give it a modern look and a photorealistic quality that fits into the series. We collaborated with the asset department and received base models and created concept of texture + look explorations by painting over grey shaded renders. The following are my 2 versions and the albino look ended up being chosen as the final look and I did a mockup of it being lit in an environment.
The tardigrade, nicknamed "Ripper," first appeared in Season 1 of Star Trek: Discovery, in episode 5, "Choose Your Pain". It was central to the ship's spore drive and was enslaved by Captain Lorca to pilot the USS Discovery.
The Mirror Universe
鏡の宇宙
The Mirror Universe is an alternate reality in Star Trek where many familiar characters exist but with vastly different, often darker, personalities. Instead of the peaceful, diplomatic Federation, this universe is ruled by the Terran Empire, a brutal, authoritarian regime built on conquest, fear, and ruthless ambition.
Mirror Universe Concept Art
Concept Look A
Concept Look B
Concept Look C
I explored many looks and here are the 3 main ones including one experimental look of t e"inverse" in the Look C, where it's actually a white universe that is white as it's really mirroring the look of what we see normally visually.
In the end we went with the deep purple, to ensure it looks similar to the normal world with only a hint of it being different. The deep purple also reflect well to the cut-throat, intimidating aestheric of the Terran Empire with dark, high contrast cinematography.
© CONTENT コンテンツ
(MJ-S10-02)
QUICK ACCESS クイックアクセス
Quick Access
© CONTENT コンテンツ
(MJ-S10-03)
SELECTED PROJECTS 選定されたプロジェクト
SELECTED PROJECTS
SELECTED PROJECTS
