During our first session into Creative Media Practice we looked at projection mapping. Projection mapping is a technique which involves a projection of an image around a real life object and can be used to imitate movement or create a sense of depth without any physical restrictions.
Practical Exercise
This session started us using ‘MadMapper’ software to create different scenes that interacted with real life objects. This software allowed us to import various images, videos & vectors to output through a projector onto various surfaces available to us. Initially we started with small png images, interacting with the objects they were placed on (small white boxes). These included a stickman standing on top of a box and also a cake inside of a box. With further examination into the software we realised that multiple scenes could in fact be stringed together for animated sequences. We used this to our advantage, stacking multiple boxes onto each other to create a Tetris like scene. This allowed us to have multiple projected coloured blocks which could be transitioned between each other to give the impression of falling objects.
Industry Use Cases
While projection mapping can be useful to create spectacle, it also has practical uses in professional workflows in industry, namely in design. This was used by both Southwest and British Airlines for audiences to preview various airplane designs without going through the hassle of physically creating and moving physical models of the designs.
Similarly, in 2018 Nissan used a form of projection mapping to simulate movement of its newly announced model of the LEAF during a stage demonstration for shareholders in the audience.
