The type of project I worked on this term (and will continue to work on) is the installation of unique "digital signage" at the EMDA center. This project combines digitally produced images, the latest in projection technology, and a large, physical space to create a dynamic "EMDA @ SOU" holographic projection display visible to anyone walking by the center. Although I had originally planned to have an interactive version of the letters ready by now, I vastly underestimated the difficulty of creating a small interactive Flash program. Thankfully, I will be taking DMF 203 in the spring and will have a much better understanding of Flash. The greatest challenge for me during the course of this project has been researching and putting together a project proposal in order to obtain funding. Although we know exactly what components we need for the project to work, the proposal is only just starting to make the rounds and we may not know for a while whether or not we will receive funding. Of course, I didn't want this to stop me from working. To test our theory and to provide a proof of concept, I ordered a sample of the clear holographic projection film that we plan to use on a large scale. We won't be able to create the final dynamic video feed until we actually receive the projectors we need, so I created several simple concept looping video feeds. The first was used to show what a range randomly changing type faces would look like forming "EMDA." The second set of videos used our clear screen sample as the canvas. We borrowed a projector and and were able to project a video feed into the window with changing letters followed by the EMDA logo. As you can see by the image below, the EMDA logo shows up very brightly. It isn't as bright when viewed from a wide angle, but the impact should be very apparent when we increase the scale of the projection.
Here is a video of the short loop projected onto the sample. It's backwards because it is projected from behind the screen:
Although I was not able to accomplish everything I set out to do in one term, I worked very hard on my research and concept material. The only thing holding me back from fully completing the project is money. However, everyone so far who has seen my proposal and concepts seems to be on board and thinks it will be a very unique attraction on campus. I sincerely hope that those capable of providing funding will not only see a very cool artistic installation, but an opportunity to get students interested in the EMDA program. Thanks to everyone (especially Professor Arellano) who has helped with and supported this project and I look forward to completing it in the weeks to come!
