The Visual Orgasms of Video Mapping and Projecting

I'm sure if you asked around if people knew what video mapping was you're most likely going to get a "huh?" as an answer. Which is fine. It's not a common question and it's not something that has been introduced to the public as commonly as that. If you ask what a video projection is, I am sure you would probably get a clearer answer. However video mapping and projecting isn't just a video projection. It's that times a thousand and much more.

So what is video mapping and projecting? Projection mapping describes the technique for video projection that can make use of any surface and turn it into a dynamic visual display. It can be used to bring buildings and objects to life, create immersive environments and to provide exciting interactive experiences. A variety of different methods can be employed to achieve the desired effect but it always involves a combination of an extremely high degree of creative skill and intricate technical planning. Typically the content features a mixture of computer animation, 2D and 3D effects, live action video and traditional trompe-l'oeil techniques. Once a site is surveyed and scanned the target building has been selected an initial feasibility study is undertaken. Accurate building and environmental data are gathered to assess the complexity of the project - photographs and measurements are taken and often a 3d laser scan is undertaken.

I was first introduced to video mapping and projecting when I worked for Walton Isaacson. Walton Isaacson along side Pearl Media had just completed I huge video mapping and projecting project for Lexus. When Lexus launched their new hybrid model, the CT 200H on Earth Day, they took an unconventional approach befitting their unconventional car. Targeting a Gen X and Y audience, they created the first ever “Earth Night” and captured the attention of thousands of people on the streets of Hollywood, California with a live event unlike anything anyone had ever been seen before. This was all in 2011 so the audience response to something so new and innovative was a success. Ultimately this project was just another fancy, upscale, piece of outdoor advertisement. 

Today video mapping and projecting has been taken to further heights. Companies either selling products, promoting events or just creating a newer levels of visual stimulation for audience's and people at events has been part of today's norm. The video mapping and projections that have taken interest from me personally are the ones set up by artist as art instillations with a mixture of live performances and video mapping as a collaboration. Artist have taken there exhibits to a whole new level creating visual stimulating installations that leave your eyes actually saying, wow, how did they do that? That is what I call a video mapping- visual orgasm. With todays technology, emerging media seems endless. It is just fascinating to know that as new media is emerging it seems to be pushing towards a world of mainly visual consumed, voice controlled and less hands on application. 

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Augmented Reality: What we thought was not possible, is actually possible.

This is the first time I have been introduced to this and after doing some digging and research I am completely fascinated with this. I had no idea that this was even possible. I have seen things like this in movies but never thought I would live in a time where it was actually happening. Before this was all science fiction but now we have moved into a world where all this is possible. 

So how does it work? Basically you can point your phone at anything. he phone recognizes images just like the human brain. The phone will pull information from an infinite library of knowledge, experience and ideas. For example if you point your phone at an image such as a painting the painting will come to life and will execute a description of the history of the painting and the subjects will be able to talk and come to life. You can point your phone at an old newspaper and the imagery will come to life. Displaying information that we never thought was possible. 

I guess the question is "how does it do that?". Augmented reality is not magic. It is real and proving that as we are progressing with time and technology. What we thought was not possible , is actually possible.

Augmented Reality Explained

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Emerging Media is what is TODAY

What is emerging media? Emerging media merging media is that it is communications – of all types – based on digital technologies, and increasingly with interactive components. 

Back when I was growing up all we had was newspaper, magazines, billboards, radio and tv. TODAY we have various channels to work with through today's digital technologies. If you ask several people how they get their news I am sure most would say through a website or some sort of social media. I know I do. When I am on Facebook I tend to scroll through my news feed and view what my friends have shared for the day. Topics that interest me or lure me into whatever outlet they have been viewing. 

Today we have hundreds to thousands of emerging media outlets. Just to name the more common outlets would be Facebook, instagram, whatsapp, google+, linkedin, vimeo, youtube, the list goes on. It amazes me how companies have utilized these outlets in so many different ways. I am sure as time goes on there will continually be more outlets that our developed. But as for what is now. Emerging media is TODAY. 

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