Objective
Our client was Arizona State University, which boasts one of the largest enrollment rates in the United States, as well as title of #1 in Innovation. In line with their accolades, a yearly exhibit of student projects are put on display for public viewing.
The goal of this project was to create a video exhibit that greets visitors to the 2018 Innovation Showcase. Our team would create an unique display using video and projection mapping.
Our display consisted of large letter cutouts of ASU, kept blank on the front. A video projecting across the front of the letters will feature the university and its many characteristics, projects, and students. A projector alongside video masking techniques would allow a unique performance that would capture the spirit of innovation, and show what is possible within the Graphic Information Technology program.
Process
From ideation to completion, our team was given three months to finish our project for the Innovation Showcase. The skills we would have to learn as a team would include:
• Projection Mapping
• Adobe After Effects
• Large prop construction
• Timelapse Photography
• Adobe After Effects
• Large prop construction
• Timelapse Photography
Projection Mapping was done via a demo version of Heavy M, allowing us to mask and separate our finished video to form exactly to the prop letters.
Adobe After Effects was used to compile videos and timelapses, as well as create all animations and transitions.
Given the timeline, our team delegated tasks to our best suited skills, and assisted each other in said tasks to ensure quality and speed in each aspect of the project to ensure prompt delivery for the next stage.
Making of "A" Prop
Nearly Completed "S" Prop
Transition - Liquid
Audiovisual of the soundtrack
Video sequence before applying masking of "ASU"
Hand-keyed animation, @ 2:13 in video
Challenges
• Animation
My first attempts at animation all take place in this video. Learning keyframes and interpolation, and then teaching said skills to my teammates so we could collaborate on ideas separately, were vital to finishing within the project's timeline.
My first attempts at animation all take place in this video. Learning keyframes and interpolation, and then teaching said skills to my teammates so we could collaborate on ideas separately, were vital to finishing within the project's timeline.
• Space and Sizing
A first for any of us, projecting video at a distance necessitates a powerful projector and a large dark space, both which scale exponentially with screen size. Finalized at 3'x11', our letters were big enough to satisfy our vision, while being small enough to set up where we need. A large shaded housing was created to showcase our project with as little light pollution as possible to retain colors.
A first for any of us, projecting video at a distance necessitates a powerful projector and a large dark space, both which scale exponentially with screen size. Finalized at 3'x11', our letters were big enough to satisfy our vision, while being small enough to set up where we need. A large shaded housing was created to showcase our project with as little light pollution as possible to retain colors.
• Letter Creation
Prop construction was important as the stage for the final project. Material had to be durable to transport, cheap enough for us to afford large sheets of, and reflective texture to keep the colors crisp. We decided on white project board to accommodate all of these issues.
Prop construction was important as the stage for the final project. Material had to be durable to transport, cheap enough for us to afford large sheets of, and reflective texture to keep the colors crisp. We decided on white project board to accommodate all of these issues.
Timelapse of 3D printing ASU logo
Timelapse of sunrise near ASU campus
Collaborative Credit
Creative Lead - Katrina Vasquez
Editor / Animator - Connor Heinzmann
Letter Construction - Dane Reynolds
Videographer - Ryan Kreuzer
