It s Still Awesome: Five More Videos of Outdoor Facade Mapping
FACADE MAPPING
One of these days, we ll get over how awesome facade mapping is, but that day is not today.
Getty Museum, Los Angeles
For the launch of Pacific Standard Time at the Getty Center, Megavision Arts was tasked by producer Ben Bourgeois with designing a multi-media immersive experience that was projection-mapped onto five of the buildings. Incorporating artists works from over seventy Southern California institutions, the visual experience, synchronized with music and narration, illustrated the History of Art in LA: 1945 to 1980.
Grand Palais, Paris
Holy artspeak, Batman. Created by the abstract minds at teamLeab, The waterfall video art work is created in 3D space and uses what we consider to be the logic structure of spatial recognition of our Japanese Ancestors.
Parr Hall, UK
Made by the emerging technology gurus at Draw & Code, this projection mapping project featured Parr Hall, Warrington s top venue nestled in its historic quarter. With the help of local students, who provided the themes for the animation and its soundtrack too, we took the audience on a journey from Warrington s Roman roots through the literature of Lewis Carroll through the world wars and onto today.
Lakeview East, Chicago
Created by DCBolt Productions for the Lakeview East Festival of the Arts, this work was projected onto the Lakeview Athletic Club building facade to commemmorate the festival s 10th anniversary.
NOVAK
This one s kind of a mish-mash: the motion design guys over at NOVAK have put together a showreel of their recent projection mapping work, and it s worth a serious gander.
Decibel Vendor Profile: CGS Premier
EVENT INDUSTRY
CGS Premier, one of Decibel s vendors, has been around since 1993 producing awesome fabrications, specifically creating large-scale vehicle wraps for mobile media (trucks, trailors, vans, etc.), but also for custom trade show booths and displays, pop-up shops, and other set-it-up, break-it-down portable experiences. Fabrication is one of those things the public sees everywhere, but rarely questions where it came from: graphics and logos printed on semi trucks, advertisements on radio station mobile rigs, movie posters on the sides of city buses, branding on the outside of tour vans. We sat down with Bill Kurinsky, CGS s Director of Business Development, to talk shop.
Can you give us a quick intro to what you guys do?
CGS is a fabricator for the experiential marketing agency. We build everything from a 53 trailers to kiosks. The assets we build are used in marketing campaigns typically that provide a unique experience for the consumer. Some recent examples include: a mobile pro shop for the NFL, a pop-up retail station for the Gap store, and demos of mobile devices and high speed internet connections in a trailer for several telecommunication providers.
Can you give us a little rundown on when and how CGS got started and what was the inspiration or background behind the company?
We ve been in business for 20 years, and we started as a large format digital printer. In the mid 90 s, we starting building small marketing items for our print clients, such as unique trophies and other little things. We quickly grew into fabricating one-off trailers, and then in the 2000 s, our business really picked up and started to include larger fabs, such as SUV s, shipping containers, RVs etc
Your vehicle wraps are super cool. For those people out there who ve never done a project like that, can you tell us a little bit about how they re done (and how to get them off!)?
Wraps are a fun part of the business and truly give the projects we work on the special character everyone remembers about them. First, CGS creates a template to scale for our clients. The client s designers then use that template to create the custom wraps, and we provide insight about how to achieve the best wrap possible. We might call out areas that would effect the wrap negatively, or we might install the wrap in several layers to avoid seams in the vehicle or handles.
You guys print on a whole lot of unique surfaces what was one of your most challenging jobs?
This one s tough. We ve printed on concrete, I think would be the most unique.
For those readers that have never done a fabbing project, one burning question: what s the deal with photo resolution and printing at ginormous sizes? Can you get a quality print from a 300dpi image?
Actually, we like to see 400 DPI at 1/4 scale, but DPI isn t the only consideration in terms of quality you ve also go to think about how good the printing equipment is and how much the experience the installation team has with similar projects. Our printers take more passes across the wrap surface, which creates a prettier, more vibrant image, and our staff is very good at getting the digital color to match the actual printed product. You ve also got to be extremely well-versed in installing the final prints on a whole host of surfaces, expertly removing sideview mirrors and lights so that the vinyl can be tucked and flattened properly.
Boring business question: what sets you apart from your competitors?
Not boring at all, and that s simple: our people set us apart. We take all of our projects to heart, so much so that all of our staff can recall small details on projects they did years ago. Personally, I take great pride in two things: one, when clients come to the shop to see their finished project and they say Wow, I can t believe it, it looks just like the drawings we provided! At that point I know we hit a home run. Two, when a client tells us they plan to use something for a single-year summer tour, but three years later they come back and they ve been using our product the whole time. That s real craftsmanship.
Holy Creativity, Batman: Seven Incredible Event Invitation Designs
EVENT COLLATERAL
We scoured the web for the best event invitation design around.
Teepee Invitation
Every element of this letterpress wedding invitation, designed by Device Creative, is killer: the copy, the idea, the whole thing. Event planner Lisa Vorce wanted a custom invitation that would create conversation and excitement about her clients upcoming Native American-inspired wedding in the desert of Arizona. Drawing from those influences, we designed the form and function of a small teepee, complete with skewers as support beams.
Woodland Lettering Invitation
Created by Portland designer Ian Collins, this beautiful laser cut invitation is designed to mimic a rough-hewn naturalist field guide.
Paper-Vinyl Invitation
The Distillery is an Australian creative studio that hosts live music and art events on premises after hours. An event backed by a design team? No wonder.
Foldable 3D Invitation
This pop-open 3D invitation designed by Florida s Xavier Correa ships flat, but folds out into a four-sided cube. Very fitting for an event named The Art of Transformation .
There s only one thing to say about Italian design studio Happycentro s approach to creating invitations for the opening of a Louis Vitton store in Japan: Nailed it! We ve been asked to design and produce the invitation card for LV store opening in Osaka. The starting idea was a paper object designed by us; its shape, expression of perpetual precision and pureness of the origami world, we wanted to meet with our intimate passion for special printing techniques.
Stitched Invitation
This invitation for the GOMA welcome party succeeds where so much collateral fails: by making it warm, welcoming and above all, personal.
Artsy-pants Invitation
If I can t read it, it doesn t exist . Nice. UK design student Jurate Gacionyte says, Interactive invitation for a Gagosian group show exhibiting artists who work with words as their main medium. The invitation exists both in print and digital form. Completed at School of Visual Arts under the teaching of Luke Hayman and John Fulbrook III.
10 Jaw-Dropping #lightingdesign Instagrams
EVENT DESIGN
In real estate, we all know the magic mantra location, location, location. In stage design and event production? It s lighting, lighting, lighting. Lighting is a totally transformative art. Need proof? Check out these ten jaw-dropping #lightingdesign Instagrams from the last two months.
This stunning cloudscape:
This melancholy reminder that Less is More:
This Studio boardpr0n shot:
This very celebrated couple:
This explosion of lasers:
This extraterrestrial club experience:
This trailer transformed into high art:
This rehearsal:
This spotlight rainbow:
This bridge to nowhere:
Six Examples of Brands Using Augmented Reality in Experiential Marketing
BRAND ACTIVATIONS & MARKETING, EVENT PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
It s been all over the brand activation net since the release of the Oculus Rift: brands are diving into cutting-edge marketing via virtual reality headsets. Here are a few kick-arse (and in some cases, very experimental) example videos showcasing the new headset s potential uses in marketing scenarios.
British Airways
Brilliant: British Airways hit the streets in cities around Europe to get potential travelers excited about visiting the USA in a try before you buy kind of campaign via virtual reality America tours of the airline s US destinations.
SIEMENS
Electronics heavy-hitters SIEMENS called on virtual reality art and development team Masters of Pie to to produce a fully immersive virtual reality experience for the Euroblech tradeshow in Hannover, Germany . They go on to explain:
We had the task of explaining complex, invisible processes of Siemens Metal Forming Engineering products, so we took some inspiration from Tony Stark style holography to better showcase the products. We also attached a buttkicker vibration device to make the chair vibrate and add to the experience of presence and immersion.
Sleepy Hollow
Created by Secret Location created an experience to promote FOX s supernatural show, Sleepy Hollow.
Using the Oculus Rift VR technology combined with a 3D shoot, top quality CGI graphics, 360 sound, and a compelling story, Secret Location transported users to the world of Sleepy Hollow, giving them a truly unique and memorable Live experience.
Merrell
One way to make sure people remember you? Scare the living daylights of them. The adventure clothing and gear merchants at Merrell created an edgy augmented reality experience called Merrell TrailScape in which hikers took their chances walking on dangerous trails.
Mountain Dew
The guys over at agency firstborn created a VR experience for Mountain Dew, allowing fans to skateboard with their favorite extreme sports idols.
Lexus
Why even get in a car to test drive one? Using the very latest DK2 OR headsets, consumers are able to virtually experience the car via an immersive and interactive car configurator, allowing users to create their own NX by selecting from a range of features.
Decibel Picks: 5 Great Books for Event Organizers
EVENT INDUSTRY
Good event managers do it all: they understand the principles of marketing, they can respond to crisis situations with relative equanimity, they can deal with people and wrangle details. It s a career path that s part tactics, part technical experience, part money management, part psychology, and part grit. That being the case, when we sat down to pick five books that were relevant to the industry, we didn t exclusively choose books targeted at event professionals (though there are a couple here). Instead, we chose a few reads that address these core attributes.
Special Events: A New Generation and the Next Frontier by Joe Goldblatt
We d be remiss not to mention this start-to-finish resource by event production guru Joe Goldblatt. Not a work for those just starting out in the industry, Special Events takes a textbook approach to understanding ins and outs of event production. The latest edition covers modern trends in the industry, like green events and event technology.
Made Possible By by Patricia Martin
The non-profit sector spends an incredible amount of time and energy on fundraising. Targeted at that hard-to-crack market, this book is chalk-full of advice about how to do fundraising right. Patricia Martin talks us through how to not only put together a sponsorship package and land the right sponsors, but also to nurture those relationships so that they become long-term, mutually beneficial arrangements. Read between the lines, and you ll find that the material is very applicable to event fundraising.
The 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey and Jim Huling
Written by three veterans of corporate leadership, this book focuses on how to get initiatives executed and get your teams organized and goal-focused. The book s a little bit old-school and it s less about setting personal goals and more about helping teams get stuff done, but for event professionals who often need to keep disparate vendors and groups pointed in the same direction, it s a good read.
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
Why do people come to your events, anyway? What is it that convinces your sponsors to say yes ? How can you better persuade vendors and land clients? This classic ad-industry handbook is full of Machiavellian gems that explain why human beings agree to, well, just about anything.
Freelancer s Guide to Corporate Event Design: From Technology Fundamentals to Scenic and Environmental Design by Troy Halsey
The scrappy approach to wrapping your head around the basics of lighting, rigging, seating, A/V, and all the other practical aspects of event production.
A Collection of the Web s Best Event Management Infographics
EVENT INDUSTRY
A couple of years ago, we designed and released an infographic detailing new regulations for events held on D.C. s National Mall. Ever since that piqued our interest, we ve been bookmarking event-related infographics as we ve come across them. Here s a preview of the best infographics in our collection. Some of these are long, get ready to scroll like mad.
Guide to the National Mall for Event Planners, by Decibel
How to Build an Event Budget, by Planning Pod
How Technology is Changing Events, by Event Manager Blog
Four Ways to Use Social Media to Boost Events, by Eventility
Space Planning and Story Telling, by GES
Green Events & Exhibits, by MC2
Inspiring Stadium-based Brand Activations
BRAND ACTIVATIONS & MARKETING
We find it deeply rewarding to execute activations on a stadium-sized scale it s an honor to create experiences that effect so many but the size of the undertaking comes with equally large challenges. Knowing from experience how many moving parts are involved in stadium activations, Decibel gives mad props to agencies who ve successfully navigated those waters. We ve gathered up five inspiring examples of of stadium engagement from some of the world s best shops.
Pixmob for Heinekin
We recently dropped some hints about how awesome Pixmob light tech can be for large-scale events, but if that didn t convince you, perhaps this will: Heineken was looking for non-intrusive ways to interact with people at the Sensation Dance events in Asia. We came up with audio-responsive wristbands that were handed out at the entrance of the event. As the DJ played the dance version of the Heineken music campaign track later in the evening, all 45,000 wrist bands came to life, engulfing the entire stadium in an ocean of green light.
Omage for BMW
This animation is projected on a 13 x 3 metre LED wall where participants can run against their favourite Springbok player. The stand is setup at various rugby venues and is part of the BMW M Series launch. The Springboks were shot against a blue screen then keyed out and placed in the stadium environment. The majority of the work was done in After Effects where I tried to recreate a bit of an arcade look and feel to the animation. The stadium was rendered out from 3ds Max. People running against the virtual Springbok on the screen were timed by a laser trigger at the end of the runway and compared with the Springbok s score to see if they had won a prize.
Ensemble: the KFC Skybox
The guys over at Ensemble don t aim low when they say they aim to grow brands through contagious ideas. KFC Skybox was an Australian first that got people talking. Elevated 50 meters above the SCG, Ensemble sent 360 KFC cricket fans into the sky for an Ashes experience like no other, complete with a hot KFC meal.
VWV for Vodacom
A shout out to the large-scale event production pros over at VWV for their stadium activation for Vodacom, the Give a Gift. Give a Happy campaign, that takes on-field brand activation with a marriage of old-school and new school.
Populous: Kauffman Stadium
During the renovation to Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals, the Populous design had to meet increasing fan expectations for an exciting game day experience. The renovation goal was to create a 360-degree branded fan experience while integrating some of the ballpark s most iconic existing features. With something for all ages, the Outfield Experience incorporates everything from a children s carousel and miniature golf course to a sports bar and party deck. Now the largest in Major league Baseball, the full-bleed LED scoreboard is topped with a sculptural metal crown that modeled after the iconic original. In addition, fans can now take a stroll along the famed stadium fountains for a refreshing view and an up-close encounter with outfield play.
Event Design Mood Board: Art Deco
EVENT DESIGN
If you love the 1920 s as much as we do, you ll recognize the intricate geometric patterns and glittery, high-contrast colors of the art deco style. After such a long period of single color, flat design , we find the ornate detailing refreshing.
Lighting
Chandelier by Hector Guimard
This gorgeous piece is available via Westland London.
Vintage Fixtures
Take a look at more art deco lighting antiques at Deco-Dence.
Interiors
Cruise Ship Stairs
This post comes to us via stair-loving blog Trying to Balance the Madness, and shows the interior of the SS Paris cruise ship in 1921.
Interior Stairs
From the Wedding Style Inspiration Board at Brides.com comes this stunning shot of a beautiful art deco event location, with intricate flooring inlay and ornate banisters.
Food & Table
Cup & Saucer
Deco Teacup and Saucer ~ an intricate set of emerald green with silver accenting. Tirschenreuth, c1927.
Colorful Art Deco Cake
This incredible work and many more can be viewed in the mind-blowing portfolio of Olofson Design (London).
Plates
The Essex collection from QSquared of New York has these opulent art deco banquet plate sets in gold and black.
Hey you, eat this: the challenges of food sampling campaigns
FOOD & CATERING, MOBILE MEDIA
Couple of years back, Decibel took to the road for Doubletree by Hilton, managing their Cookie CAREavan sampling campaign. You know what we found out? Everyone loves free noms, and the stats back us up on that. According to a 2015 study by the Event Marketing Institute, consumers are 78{04d9822e7d95da125d508d8e1efbcf2edc79acd8aec1f0bbdcbd6a6f684f9bb3} more likely to purchase a product if they re given the opportunity to try it out first. But if they have a negative experience, you might lose that customer for good.
Doubletree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan
Sampling campaigns, whether run indoors in a single location (think supermarket sampling stations) or on the road out of the back of a truck, feature their own unique challenges. Here are some of the crucial considerations when planning :
Sample Consistency
If every sample is a little different from the last, you won t be able to trust any feedback you might receive from tasters. If your sampling campaign is dispersed across multiple locations and your samples aren t served in individual packages, you ll need to write up a strict guide outlining the right way to complete preparation. That guide should detail any necessary recipes, serving sizes, ideal serving temperatures, serving containers and utensils.
Preparation Simplicity
It s much harder to maintain consistency if the preparation and service team has to jump through a dozen hoops to get those samples on the trays. If you can t afford a professional chef to accompany your team, keep sample preparation as easy as possible.
Environmental Temperature & Humidity
Taking your food on the road? Passing out sorbet in an Alabama summer? You ll need refrigeration. If you re stationary, this is less of a problem, but if you re going mobile, refrigerator-equipped trucks can increase campaign budgets significantly.
Serving Times
Sample food at an appropriate time of day. An ice-cream sampling campaign shouldn t launch in the morning, and you shouldn t be sampling waffles at 8pm.
Reporting
If you don t know what worked and what didn t, your sampling campaign loses effectiveness. Your team should ideally be able to provide post-campaign day-by-day reporting, which should include basic numbers (how many samples given, etc.), average dwell times (how long people hang around stand), and notes of any verbal feedback received.