Barco Projection Mapping
Brief: Create a visually stunning projection mapping experience, using the transformative technique of Trompe L’oeil, on the exterior of the Ringling College of Art and Design Academic Center.
Trompe L'oeil (literal translation: trick of the eye) refers to the optical illusion of 3D imagery and space on a 2D plane. The goal of this project was to transform the flat surface of the academic center wall into a 3D space, surprising the audience with the illusion.
Credits:
Design & Animation: Ananya Ravichandran
Music: Kelly Warner
Projection I created using Cinema4D, displayed on the front of the Academic Center Building.
Qualities of a Successful Illusion
1. Accurate Perspective
2. Realistic Detail
3. Light and Shadow
4. Attention to Viewpoint
5. Color Accuracy
6. Illusory Elements
7. Conceptual Cleverness
Purpose & Audience
Goal: Demonstrate the potential of having a projection display for artwork on Ringling's academic center. Captivate the audience and make them stay to watch the animations more than once.
1. BARCO, the manufacturer of the Projection system and their potential clients.
2. Ringling Administration, including President Larry Thompson and VPs who would be
the ones to approve the purchase of such expensive equipment.
3. Community Art leaders who could use this technology in Downtown Sarasota.
4. Outside guests and potential donors who know nothing about motion design.
5. Current students attending Ringling from all majors.
Trompe L'oeil Exploration
I practiced creating accurate perspective and realistic light and shadow by creating a 3D animation with the goal of the box looking like it's jumping out at the viewer
We projected this on a hallway inside the academic center, and sat on the floor to test whether the box felt like it was jumping out on the viewer
Considerations: Colors are much less saturated when projected, so for the final projection, I would need to increase the saturation of the animation.
concepts & design
These are pitches for my initial concepts. I chose the space diagrams concept (#3) because I was most excited to use paper-style textures and combine 2D and 3D elements. However, due to the project being disrupted by multiple hurricanes hitting Florida, I modified it and removed the 2D animated elements.
First Pass Animation
Feedback I received included:
Issues with the first pass: Black doesn't show up on projector, movement too quick, frame makes the animation feel flat, perspective isn't working due to the lighting making planets look flat, color had to be super high contrast, and small details won't show up in final projection.
Perspective: Vanishing point of animation had to be to the lower left so that people feel that the planets are emerging above them.
Animation: Must be made slower to emphasize grandeur and size of planets.
Final Animation
Left: Final Animation on Mockup Video
Right: Final Animation Displayed on the Academic Center
behind the scenes
Giant Stand for the projector
Projector Lens
$250000 projector (yes, $250000!)
Testing the location and angle of the projector display.