PROJECTIONS
Kraftwork
http://www.behance.net/gallery/KraftWork/553865
I love how they use the building, all the windows and columns and features of the building are first highlighted and coloured, which then make a really convincing effect when moved or interacted with. There is also great use of depth, and you feel as if there are 3d objects - not just a flat surface. It’s not the most original, but nonetheless very convincing and very well executed. There is also a good use of light and spotlights, to highlight certain features and areas during the projection
I do think that the tempo is lacking, as there is almost always just one speed, so after a while you seem to lose interest as well as not really know what is going on. Furthermore all the animations are colourful, abstract plays with the architecture – a very effective, convincing and tasteful use of an architectural projection & I love that kind of style, but the lack of variation makes it go a bit stale.
I do think that the tempo is lacking, as there is almost always just one speed, so after a while you seem to lose interest as well as not really know what is going on. Furthermore all the animations are colourful, abstract plays with the architecture – a very effective, convincing and tasteful use of an architectural projection & I love that kind of style, but the lack of variation makes it go a bit stale.
China - outdoor stereographic projection
I want to start with the bad with this one. For starters many elements and imagery are quite Cliché (countdown numbers etc) and I really don’t like the colours – too many different ones, not working together but rather fighting each other. Looks tacky.
Some effects are unconvincing – either because they were trying to be too ambitious, or because the execution of the artwork and style of imagery was unconvincing. Others such as fire and water effects aren’t realistic enough and aren’t stylised either, leaving it to hang in this mid-ground which doesn’t go anywhere.
Its also too long, 13 minutes is way too long to keep the audience interested, In fact, I struggle to watch it all.
It does have some good points, such as good shadows and lighting, as well as certain well executed visual effects with the building morphing and some of the creatures and abstract objects moving.
However these are not the reasons I chose to speak about this particular projection. The thing that struck me most is that after watching 20+ videos of projection mappings it is one of those which I remembered the most. It is very distinctive, and its imagery is very unique and compared to most other projection mappings very original in its imagery and style. This is because most of the time projection mappings are very abstract, futuristic/sci-fi inspired – yet here they stayed true to their Chinese roots, as immediately when starting to watch this video you say – China! It think this is a very important aspect to making a distinctive and original architectural projection, as well as making it authentic – so for us making a Maltese one it could really make us stand out.
Live Performances & Projections
Not exactly architectural, (even though the MIDAS project has a projection on a building like structure) but the projections and lighting effects used in conjunction with live performers really enhances the realism aspect of it. It makes the animations look more alive, and more real and interactive. It would be a cool concept to try and mix the real with the animated, and a way which it could be explored in an architectural projection mapping is to get real people involved as part of the act, or balloons or lanterns or something of the sort. This is not the most feasible of suggestions, however it could achieve a great result if used properly.
It also shows how simple designs and animations can be used to create a good projection if the movements and effects are good.
Box
Great use of perspective – they create a lot of optical illusions making the flat seem 3D and vice-versa, changing your perspective of what is being shown by simple transformations.
There is also a good use of interaction between real and projected, making it that much more convincing.
I found the typography to also be well done which is something which other projection mapping neglect and it was nice to see that attention to detail.
music and sound – creates a great mood which goes really well with the content and imagery, and it just brings it all together really well
Consistency in art style, colour schemes and visual effects – which do get a bit dragging in some areas, but they are just so well done that it’s a minor fault. I think it may just be a little bit long, as I found that in the middle before the ending I am not really taking notice of what’s going on.
Animations and effects are very well done, altogether very convincing. Because of the lighting there were times where I really felt as if it were happening, which is basically the goal of every animated projection.
Tokyo Station
I love the tempo in this projection, it really grabs your attention by starting slow and with seemingly normal animations and then builds up slowly to the more fast paced crazy animations. I think this is essential to capturing peoples interest in the projection in the beginning , as well as making sure that throughout the rest of the projection the pacing is well thought out, not having too much fast paced action over a long period of time, but rather calming down and then building back up again to something else.
I think they also did a great job and making it relevant – this is a projection on a train station, so the imagery and concepts reflect this as well as execute them tastefully. The beginning is really clever how they create the illusion with the silhouettes in the windows, showing later that rather than a building it is being used as a train.
I think they also did a great job and making it relevant – this is a projection on a train station, so the imagery and concepts reflect this as well as execute them tastefully. The beginning is really clever how they create the illusion with the silhouettes in the windows, showing later that rather than a building it is being used as a train.
IMAGERY
Green Screening Possibilities
I wanted to explore what we can do to utilise techniques such as green screening, which adds a human element, and if planned and executed properly would need minimum editing. the examples i focused on are colourful, vivid and abstract - i think these qualities are important because when pairing with other visual styles such as 3d and illustration they need to compliment each other well. I think such imagery would also stand out, adding interesting, artistic elements. An idea for implementation if we were to go down this route we could have a person painted with a corresponding animated design in the background, etc.
I wanted to explore what we can do to utilise techniques such as green screening, which adds a human element, and if planned and executed properly would need minimum editing. the examples i focused on are colourful, vivid and abstract - i think these qualities are important because when pairing with other visual styles such as 3d and illustration they need to compliment each other well. I think such imagery would also stand out, adding interesting, artistic elements. An idea for implementation if we were to go down this route we could have a person painted with a corresponding animated design in the background, etc.
Falling
i was intrigued with the possibilities of pulling off a falling slow motion segment, as i thought this could be used to a really dramatic effect. An idea is to show the silhouette of a woman in one of the windows hanging her clothes from the balcony, maybe with some indication that it is Christmas time. then after a few seconds (for some reason) she suddenly falls, going into super slow motion, whilst the rest of the building starts depicting her life flashing before her eyes - so we can show experiences she went through but in an abstract, colourful form- and since they are her experiences they can relate to Malta and the past. then we can use architectural mapping to save her, like turning the building upside down and she ends up back on her balcony or something like that. I realised however that it may be too dramatic, and also the height of the balcony is an issue because it is quite low. so it may be a pointless idea, but just thought I would share
i was intrigued with the possibilities of pulling off a falling slow motion segment, as i thought this could be used to a really dramatic effect. An idea is to show the silhouette of a woman in one of the windows hanging her clothes from the balcony, maybe with some indication that it is Christmas time. then after a few seconds (for some reason) she suddenly falls, going into super slow motion, whilst the rest of the building starts depicting her life flashing before her eyes - so we can show experiences she went through but in an abstract, colourful form- and since they are her experiences they can relate to Malta and the past. then we can use architectural mapping to save her, like turning the building upside down and she ends up back on her balcony or something like that. I realised however that it may be too dramatic, and also the height of the balcony is an issue because it is quite low. so it may be a pointless idea, but just thought I would share
Patterns
patterns are a very feasible way to add design elements- they are easy to do - so everyone of any skill level can do them; they are abstract so they can have subtle connotations and unique variations; they can be colourful; they are easy to animate; they create a detailed and intricate design with minimal effort, which especially on such a large surface as a building can look stunning; because of their nature - small, repetitive design elements, i can also fit the contours and shapes of the building with minimal problems.
patterns are a very feasible way to add design elements- they are easy to do - so everyone of any skill level can do them; they are abstract so they can have subtle connotations and unique variations; they can be colourful; they are easy to animate; they create a detailed and intricate design with minimal effort, which especially on such a large surface as a building can look stunning; because of their nature - small, repetitive design elements, i can also fit the contours and shapes of the building with minimal problems.
Malta
one thing I wanted to focus on was looking and feeling like a local production, having visuals and influences from Malta, but without being cliché about it. Therefore i wanted to research as much as i could on maltese imagery to be able to come up with some new concepts
Bizzilla and patterns - these have a local and old look and feel, but can look modern when digitally designing them, and could also be put into the context of Christmas - bizzilla can be made to look like snowflakes, tiles with patterns as wrapping paper etc. they are also easy to create and animate, making them a feasible and accessible idea which anyone should be able to execute
old doors, windows and handles - lots to play with regarding imagery - the fish, Maltese cross, other animals and patterns. The doors and windows themselves are very colourful, and are comprised of simple shapes despite their detailed handles, so again these can be executed easily by everyone to great effect. The handles can either be made into detailed illustrations or used as photography, animating them as door knockers or something of the sort.
decorated churches and buildings in feasts - the ample lighting and decoration added to churches during feasts could be linked to Christmas decorations, by use of colour and simple effects,thereby linking two key points they wanted to show. It would also be simple to execute as it uses simple shaped colouring and lighting effects, so overall quite feasible too.
Maltese transportation - luzzu, busses and horse and carriage - these could be used as narrative elements, so that any transport used in the story could make use of these iconic vehicles. They would be a great local alternative to “santa’s sleigh” as presents can be delived to children in this way giving it a more personal feel to the generic santa versions.
Folk dancing/traditional maltese apparel - these also invoke an element of history and herritage, any can also be a bit playful and maybe even linked to christmas by altering colours or adding christmassy details. The folk dancing can also do this through movement, however animating such movements convincingly could be tricky, and would require a skilled and experienced animator.
one thing I wanted to focus on was looking and feeling like a local production, having visuals and influences from Malta, but without being cliché about it. Therefore i wanted to research as much as i could on maltese imagery to be able to come up with some new concepts
Bizzilla and patterns - these have a local and old look and feel, but can look modern when digitally designing them, and could also be put into the context of Christmas - bizzilla can be made to look like snowflakes, tiles with patterns as wrapping paper etc. they are also easy to create and animate, making them a feasible and accessible idea which anyone should be able to execute
old doors, windows and handles - lots to play with regarding imagery - the fish, Maltese cross, other animals and patterns. The doors and windows themselves are very colourful, and are comprised of simple shapes despite their detailed handles, so again these can be executed easily by everyone to great effect. The handles can either be made into detailed illustrations or used as photography, animating them as door knockers or something of the sort.
decorated churches and buildings in feasts - the ample lighting and decoration added to churches during feasts could be linked to Christmas decorations, by use of colour and simple effects,thereby linking two key points they wanted to show. It would also be simple to execute as it uses simple shaped colouring and lighting effects, so overall quite feasible too.
Maltese transportation - luzzu, busses and horse and carriage - these could be used as narrative elements, so that any transport used in the story could make use of these iconic vehicles. They would be a great local alternative to “santa’s sleigh” as presents can be delived to children in this way giving it a more personal feel to the generic santa versions.
Folk dancing/traditional maltese apparel - these also invoke an element of history and herritage, any can also be a bit playful and maybe even linked to christmas by altering colours or adding christmassy details. The folk dancing can also do this through movement, however animating such movements convincingly could be tricky, and would require a skilled and experienced animator.