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Lighting a Burning Man Marine Creature with D15 Braided Strip Light

A client story about Kev's Burning Man marine life sculpture, lit with our D15 Braided Strip Light — a flexible, IP67, WS2811 pixel strip built for extreme environments.

Project Behind-the-Scenes

6 min read • By Elisa

Published: September 2026 | Category: Client Stories


The Story at a Glance

Client: Kev
Project: Marine life sculpture for Burning Man
Product: D15 Braided Strip Light (15mm IP67, WS2811, DC5V)
Role: A key lighting component inside the sculpture
Outcome: A stunning, glowing marine creature that came alive at night


How It Started

When Kev set out to build a marine life sculpture for Burning Man, he needed a lighting solution that could handle the desert environment, bend into organic shapes, and deliver vibrant, programmable color.

Burning Man is not a typical exhibition. It's an extreme environment — dust, heat, wind, and long nights. Whatever lighting went into the sculpture had to be durable, flexible, and visually striking.

Kev chose our D15 Braided Strip Light.


The Product That Made It Possible

The D15 Braided Strip Light is a 15mm IP67 pixel string with a braided outer layer, designed for demanding outdoor and creative installations.

Feature

Specification

Product

15mm IP67 Braided Strip Light

IC Chip

WS2811

Voltage

DC5V

LED Type

3240 LED, 50 LEDs/m

Power

3.1W/m

Luminous Efficacy

17 lm/w

CRI

RA62

Cutting Length

20mm

Connector

15cm 3×22AWG 2464 cable, 3-pin M8 (M/F)

IP Rating

IP67

Length Options

1.2m with 3 clips / 2m with 2 clips per meter

Why It Fit Kev's Project

Requirement

How D15 Delivered

Bendable for organic shapes

Braided construction allows flexible shaping around the marine creature's form

Outdoor durability

IP67 waterproof rating handles dust, moisture, and desert conditions

Vibrant color effects

WS2811 IC supports dynamic, addressable pixel control

Cuttable for custom lengths

20mm cutting increments allowed precise fitting into the sculpture

Secure connections

M8 3-pin connectors ensured reliable power and signal transmission


The Build: A Marine Creature That Glowed

Kev used the D15 Braided Strip Light as a key component inside his marine life sculpture. The braided strip was routed through the creature's body, allowing the light to follow its organic curves and bring it to life after dark.

At Burning Man, the sculpture became a nighttime focal point — glowing, shifting, and pulsing with color in the desert darkness.

We are honored that our D15 Braided Strip Light played a part in bringing Kev's vision to life.


Why This Project Matters

Factor

Why It Matters

Creative application

The D15 was used in an artistic, non-standard installation

Extreme environment

Burning Man demands durability — IP67 and braided construction delivered

Client trust

Kev chose our product for a high-profile personal project

Product versatility

The same strip used in commercial projects works in art installations


About the D15 Braided Strip Light

The D15 is available in multiple configurations to suit different project needs:

Configuration

Details

1.2m length

With 3 clips, 3-pin M8 male connector

2m length

With 2 clips per meter, 3-pin M8 male/female connector

Accessories

Female panel mount connector, stand 3-pin male & female pigtails

Extension cables

M8 male to M8 female, 50 inches (127cm) or 5.5ft (168cm)


Client Feedback

Kev's project was a success — a marine creature that stood out at Burning Man, glowing with vibrant, programmable light.

We are grateful for the opportunity to support his vision.


Have a Creative or Demanding Lighting Project?

Whether it's an art installation, an outdoor sculpture, or a commercial project in a harsh environment, we supply flexible, durable, and programmable LED solutions.

👉 Contact Us Today to discuss your project requirements.