KLM’s new flight safety film inspired by Delft Blue craftsmanship

Being a leader in aviation safety, it is our top priority to care about every detail of your flight safety. Clear on-board safety instructions are an important element of our flight safety procedure. Starting 1 November, we will introduce a striking new flight safety film on all of our intercontinental flights.
The film is inspired by the techniques used by the famous Delft Blue artisans. We cherish the craftsmanship of this Dutch art because every detail is painted with care. At KLM we conduct our safety process with the very same eye for detail.
Creating a film that grabs and holds the attention of every passenger is important to us, while putting a smile on your face. That’s why we created something special for you

At KLM we care about every detail of your flight safety

The authentic hand-crafted flight safety film emphasises the amount of detail that KLM puts into a subject as important as flight safety. All the tiles used in the film were drawn, animated and painted with extreme care. The cabin attendant who modelled for the artisans is al KLM cabin attendant. The voice-over in the film is done by the very same cabin attendant.

Thousand Delft Blue tiles

It took a lot of effort and different skills before the cabin attendant came alive in our new flight safety video. First the entire mandatory safety script was translated into a series of detailed, hand-drawn, Delft Blue illustrations.
All these illustrations were sent to a digital animator. He turned the hand-drawn illustrations of the complete safety process — including all her movements — into separate, animated frames. All the printed frames were sent back to the illustrators. They re-painted every single frame in the characteristic Delft Blue style. Finally, artisans painted over a thousand Delft Blue tiles. By photographing every tile using the stop-motion technique, a unique flight safety film was born.

Delftware and Delft Blue

Delft Blue is rooted in Dutch national heritage. The world-famous Delftware has a rich and long history which goes back to the early 1600s. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) ships brought back spices from the Far East and large quantities of porcelain China. The porcelain became very popular among affluent families such as the European Royals.
When civil wars in China made it too difficult to import, the Dutch potteries seized the opportunity to develop their own version of the blue-and-white porcelain. This was the start of the Dutch Delftware industry which is now known internationally as a typically Dutch product. Of the approximately thirty-two potteries founded in the seventeenth century, Royal Delft is the only Delftware factory left in Delft.

Inspired by the Royal Delft factory

For this movie, we drew inspiration from the Royal Delft factory. The Royal Dutch Delftware Manufactory, established in 1653, is the last remaining Delftware factory dating from the seventeenth century. Here, the world renowned Royal Delftware is still entirely hand painted according to centuries-old tradition. For more information: http://www.royaldelft.com

Delftware craftsmanship

KLM’s new flight safety film features more than 1,000 tiles, specially drawn, animated and painted with the utmost precision for this specific purpose. The entire script was first translated into handmade Delftware drawings, which were then painted onto the tiles. Stop-motion video animation was then used to film KLM’s flight safety instructions for passengers, tile by tile.

Delft Blue houses

Since 1952 every KLM World Business Class passenger has received a miniature Delftware house as a gift on each intercontinental flight she or he takes. Today KLM’s collection of Delftware houses spans ninety-six models. The Delft Blue miniature houses are copies of real houses. All have a historical significance and can be found all around the Netherlands..

Tasty Blue

Tasty Blue is a new catering concept which we plan to roll out this autumn. Inspired by Delftware, this concept aims to bring a touch of design to the dining experience on board. The new service is based on the concept of a set table. On board you will find trolleys, paper tray mats, tableware covers, paper boxes and cups bearing Delft Blue details or Delftware elements.

Dutch design
Just like the new flight safety film, KLM’s new Economy Class catering concept “Tasty Blue” was also inspired by Delftware design. The trolleys, placemats, cutlery sleeves, paper boxes and cups all feature Delftware details or elements. This ties in perfectly with KLM’s Delftware miniature houses, which have been presented to World Business Class passengers since the 1950s. The World Business Class tableware and new interior of the fleet were also created by Dutch designers. In addition, KLM has a long tradition of serving its World Business Class passengers meals created by leading Dutch chefs. In so doing, KLM reaffirms its pride in its Dutch roots and international allure.

The flight safety film and as well as the “making of” can be viewed at klm.com/flightsafety. The film and the Delftware tiles will also be on display at the Dutch Design week in Eindhoven from 17 to 25 October.

https://youtu.be/BTitrKvP64s

The safety instructions are updated in line with the latest rules and regulations.

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