Final Presentation and Self-Evaluation

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!

Project Proposal for the Higher-Ups

Here is a version of my project proposal. I will be changing a few things about it. It's different from the one we did in this class in that it's intended for those who will decide to fund or not fund this project.

Artist's Rendering

Here is a Photoshop composition that should give an idea of what my window projections could look like. I'm not expecting them to be this bright during the day, but they'll really come alive at night. Keep in mind that the letters were change to a different design either on a time scale or via some kind of input.

I would like this to fit in well with the design of the building. I don't want it to jump out at people, so to speak. That said, it will be unlike anything most people have seen on campus and will certainly get the eMDA word out there!

Gadgets for Ineractivity

Howdy y'all. I know some of you (including myself actually) are interested in ways in which we can add a bit of interactivity to our digital media projects. This doesn't have to be extremely expensive. In most cases we can take a solution meant for a practical application and mold it into something that suits our needs. Thankfully, there is a lot of open source software on the net that can help us with this.

For motion sensing, it's possible to use a standard webcam in combination with free motion sensing software. For Windows I suggested Yawcam if you're doing something very simple - http://www.yawcam.com/

Yawcam is a simple but feature-rich program that is normally used as a security tool. But what's great about it is you can specify the program to execute an .exe file or play a sound. This could potentially be used to start up program that YOU created as someone passes by. How you write that program (or which program you use) is up to you.

If you're interested in a solution that gives you a little more creative freedom, you may want to try out Zone Trigger - http://www.zonetrigger.com/interactive-digital-signage/

The interactivity features in Zone Trigger were created with interactive advertising in mind. This is an expensive program at $250 (clearly meant for commercial use) but you're allowed to use the program free for 30 days. From the Zone Trigger site:

Simply connect a camera and put motion hot spots on the video image. These hot spots are bound to scripts that will be called when motion is detected. Each spot is independent and can call a different script. Advanced features allow even more complex navigation to create interactive applications.

Wooooow.

As with Yawcam, Zone Trigger can use a standard USB webcam as its input. A good quality webcam can be found at Amazon, Newegg, or pretty much anywhere that sells computer electronics. You shouldn't need to spend more than $30 on a webcam. Here's a Logitech cam that can record in 720p and take 5mp photos for under $30:

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Webcam-C310-Video-Photos/dp/B003LVZO8S/ref=dp_cp_ob_pc_title_3

And if you haven't already, JOIN AMAZON STUDENT! With your SOU email you'll have free two-day shipping and $4 overnight shipping on nearly any Amazon product for a year. It's perfect for this sort of thing.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/student/signup/info


Motion sensing is not the only form of interactivity you can provide an audience. You may also want to consider the numerous amounts of voice-command software out there as well as more physical devices like a keypad. Even a Dance Dance Revolution floor pad can be used to interact with your own program. Don't like the ugly DDR pad design? Just cover it up with your own work.

http://www.amazon.com/Multi-Platform-PS-PS2-Xbox-PC-Mac/dp/9752892698/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1296246108&sr=1-1

You can then use a keymapping program such as Total Game Control to map the dance pad inputs into mouse or keyboard strokes. You can even map an input to an event or complex string of keyboard inputs.

http://www.digitaltransforms.com/


Hopefully this post is insightful for some. I for one will be trying out Zone Trigger for my project. See everyone on Monday!

Project Timeline

One of the biggest road blocks I find myself coming across in working with an established organization like SOU is helping others see that my idea is good enough to spend school funds on. At the moment that is by far my largest concern. I will of course go ahead with my project regardless of the school's decision to fund it, but without the school's help I'll have to settle for a one-time show sort of deal. With that in mind, here is my timeline for the term:

1/26 - Come up with an initial proposal to those who could potentially help with funding. Address common concerns as well as those which people may not consider. How much money will this project require? How do we address energy-related concerns? What is the most cost-effective projector that suits our needs? Most importantly, how will this benefit EMDA and the university as a whole?

1/31 - Hopefully have a proposal submitted to the necessary people by this day. The proposal should be of professional quality complete with digital renderings of what the final product will look like. Meanwhile, work on some of the letter designs and familiarize with Flash.

2/2 - Most letter designs should be done by this day.

2/7 - Continue working. Regularly check up on proposal status. Beg for money on the street if necessary.

2/9 - Work

2/14 - The digital work should be completed by this date. I should also know by now whether or not a permanent installation is reasonable or not. If it is, consider ways in which we can make it interactive. Happy valentines day! As always, I'll be wearing green.

2/16 - Begin installation work and testing proof of concept. Thankfully I have a small projector at home that can help with this.

2/23 - Everything should be finished by this point. Final presentation any day after this.

As for my evaluation, I will be ready for one on or after 2/7

CAS 399/ART 450 - Project Proposal

Howdy y'all. I just arrived in Phoenix, AZ (world's largest suburban shopping center) from Dallas, TX where I was visiting family. Tomorrow I'll most likely be going to the National Championship game but in the meantime I've been thinking a bit about my project for this course. Actually, I've been thinking about it for quite some time.

I currently work as professor Arellano's assistant in the EMDA center. Part of my job there is to think about ways in which we can improve the center and the EMDA program in general. Although the center itself is in an amazing location with a fantastic view of the campus, I feel the look could be improved in a way that really shows the physical side of digital media. The EMDA center has some fantastic tall bay windows which I would like to work with in order to create something that hasn't really been done on the campus before: Interactive window projections.

During one of our class sessions, professor Arellano used window projections as one of his project examples. I have also been thinking about how cool a projected image would look in the center's windows and would like to take it a step further. The bay windows at the EMDA center come out of the building at a 45 degree or so angle. Each side contains six window columns. At the center we decided that "|E|M|D|A|@|SOU (the school logo)| would be the most appropriate thing to project. To do this we will use four small projectors - one for every three window columns.

Rather than simply project a static image, I would like to do something much more unique. Each of the "EMDA" letters will have multiple unique designs done in a way similar to the "type" project in DMF 201. I can create these images myself initially, but in the future it would be more fun for people if we used work from DMF students. These letters will change every 15 to 30 seconds randomly to a new design.

If we have the resources, I would love to add one final touch. Since the bay windows are viewable from the path that leads to the SU, I would like to have some kind of buttons or pads alongside the path. Each button would correspond to a different EMDA letter and when pressed, the letter would change to a different design instantly (and perhaps flash to a different color very briefly for more of a visual impact.)

This project is going to involve a lot of variables. I will need to determine which projectors we need, where they need to placed, and any other things one might need to know about window projections. I will then need to create a lot of different letter designs, and figure out how to create a looping yet interactive video in Adobe Flash. Even if we do not have the funds or ability to make this thing interactive, I will still try to create something interactive. If the buttons or pads can't be used outside, we could certainly do it in the center.

Anyway, that's my proposal. I think it could be a really awesome addition to the EMDA center and would be one of the most unique visuals on campus after it starts to get dark. Hope everyone had a good weekend and I'll see everyone next week. Go Ducks!

Term Project: Final Week of Production

Pages 8 and 1


Pages 2 and 7


Pages 6 and 3


Pages 4 and 5

1. The most valuable skills that I acquired this term were in relation to turning out digital creations into printed creations. Learning how to properly use Adobe InDesign was especially helpful, as was learning about which color modes to use for print and why certain tones don’t work well with printers.

2. When I created my program, I wanted to focus as much attention as possible on the characters. Or in my case, the actors in the Cabaret performance. The Cabaret is a somewhat dark setting, and my book reflects that with a dark background. On the other hand, the characters are very colorfully dressed and I wanted as much detail as possible to stand out. I felt it necessary to include the production staff and and Director’s note. For these I didn’t stray too far from the Cabaret’s original design.

3. I plan to show my program to the Cabaret and see what they think. I feel that the current show programs are not something anyone would care to take home with them. Although my program is expensive to print, I feel that it does the characters justice. The photos by Christopher Briscoe are superb, whereas the original program has no photos at all. There is no way of telling who plays who.