Archive for 'Technology'
Taking 3D projection mapping to a whole new level
Posted on 27. Mar, 2012 by Jonathan Cherry.
As you know, 3D projection mapping is something we focus on here at Cherryflava. We’ve done large, and small scale projection mappings for some of our clients. But morphing humans we haven’t tried – yet.
Couple of years ago we touted the trend of ‘fantasy reality’ being a big hit in years to come. Dual reality aided by digital technology avatars may not be too far away either. It’s not that complicated to do if you know how. Call us – we’ll make it happen.
Stunning.
How to turn your event into a social media scoop
Posted on 17. Feb, 2012 by Jonathan Cherry.
Many brands want to capitalise on social media platforms these days, but the real question is how?
How do you convince the captive audience, that you have invited to your event, to share their experience with their networks and generate loads of great free word-of-mouth reach for your business?
As a solution to this wasted opportunity – we found this analysis by Timo Arnell, a designer and researcher working with interactive products, media and emerging technologies, rather interesting.
He describes the RFID photo booth that has been used at PICNIC during the past years as a good example of a physical object that stimulates social interaction. In short, you walk into the booth (also with other people), you touch an icon, it takes a photograph and it tags you and your friends on the event’s social network.
The Cherryflava RFID Photobooth recently used at the Dimension Data Sales Conference in Johannesburg
Timo is particularly interested in the “between spaces” in conferences, like those that happen in between sessions when you meet other people. In order to further stimulate social interaction amongst the attendees, he suggests you find activities that don’t need full attention: “not full-on immersive games but stuff that you can do casually”. Using the technology (or the gadget that conveys it) shouldn’t be the main goal but a means to generate a specific behavior. It doesn’t have to interrupt but build on top of (a behavior).
“I think the real incentive for doing digital interaction is doing something more than business cards. It’s doing something about media, entertainment, something that’s engaging, [...] different and playful, not necessarily about the utility of exchanging information between people”.
Having spent the last year perfecting our own skills and infrastructure that combines RFID-technology with Facebook for use at events, we couldn’t agree more with Mr Arnell.
More: Cherryflava RFID event: Video Case study
Previously: The re-engineering of a conference – Cherryflava
Read: How to stimulate social interaction with RFID and NFC technology – link
How media affects the brains of children
Posted on 13. Feb, 2012 by Jonathan Cherry.
Just watching how zoned-out most parents are to their children’s petulant behaviour in public – adults themselves have become disconnected from their own children’s external inputs. Fuelled on massive doses of processed crap, refined sugar and hours of WWE – it’s pretty obvious the world is breeding a generation where violence is more entertainment than news.
Dimitri Christakis is a pediatrician, parent, and researcher whose influential findings are helping identify optimal media exposure for children.
[thanks Rob]
The Samsung Smart Window
Posted on 18. Jan, 2012 by Jonathan Cherry.
At the giant technology fair in Vegas Samsung launched what they are calling the Smart Window. It’s a touch screen device that pretends it’s a window.
For a couple of years now we have been experimenting with transparent window film that can be projected on for our clients, but this Smart Window takes the possibilities for real world retail to another level. It’s obviously going to be expansive, but when malls are billboards, the more authentic interactivity you can offer the better.
[shot Ant]
Lift-off 2012: Some Cherryflava 3D projection mapping to kick off the new year
Posted on 09. Jan, 2012 by Jonathan Cherry.
We went on quiet a bit about projection mapping last year and the project that we produced for Dimension Data’s internal sales conference last year. So we thought we’d start the year off sharing some footage from that mapping that we did with you.
Here’s the animation clip that we done by the highly talented folk from Motif Studios…
…and the ‘breakdowns’ video with footage from the mapped stage and grand finale.
Of course being there and experiencing it on the 14m wide x 5m high custom stage and with rock stadium quality sound is first prize, but hopefully this gives you a good idea of how a conference should be started.
Cherryflava 2011 report card: Our year in review
Posted on 19. Dec, 2011 by Jonathan Cherry.
Alternate reality conferencing
As well as being the year of The Protester [Time magazine's person of the year] , for us 2011 has been the year of pushing ourselves into uncomfortable new spaces. We started this year with a mission – to take everything that we’d learnt from producing alternate reality games for our clients over the years, and packaging the unseen, fantasy mechanic for retail and event applications. In essence we’ve transformed ourselves from a marketing company, into a technology company.
This year we’ve focused on just a few key areas of specialisation. We’ve done a significant amount of work in the realm of 3D projection mapping, which on a global scale has seen a significant amount of growth as a brand presentation mechanism. We’ve concentrated our efforts on the production of 3D mapping, which culminated in the production of the Dimension Data’s Annual Sales Conference mapping on a custom built 14 x 5 meter set. We worked with the world-class team from Motif Studios to create a mixture of visual and audio delight that really blew the audience [and client] away. Having seen many of the mapping examples from around the world – we’re pretty confident that ours was right up there with the best of them, which is where we feel the most comfortable.
See our post on The re-engineering of a conference for more on what we created for Dimension Data.
The other area of specialisation that we really got some good traction with this year is RFID. It stands for Radio Frequency Identification and as a technology we’ve been exploring its uses as a means to trigger our branded experiences and integrate those real-world experiences with social media platforms like Facebook. In a very short space of time we’ve developed, prototyped and built some pretty powerful machines that talk directly to actionable applications like Facebook. The result was that we turned the recent Axe Cloud 9 Party into an interactive media space that added to the experience of being at the event and gave the Axe brand some very cool brand exposure on Facebook.
So this year has been a great one in the sense that, once again – we’ve prepared ourselves well for 2012 and our mission to help brands create fantasy experiences for their clients and stakeholders.
A huge thanks has to go to all of our business partners and clients for making 2011 the success that it was. The team from Dimension Data / Internet Solutions, Habari Media, BAT, G2, Steenberg Vineyards, You Know Who, BConfident, Go4Word, CCPP and Motif Studios – thanks for sharing the vision and pushing the boundaries with us.
The Cherryflava Team - Stefan, Heinrich, Jon and Dylan
As is tradition here at Cherryflava – at the end of every year we give ourselves a public grading for how we feel we have performed throughout the year and this time around we will give ourselves a B+ for 2011. We are exploring in a unique, niched arena not only in South Africa but globally, but with our unique background and mixture of talents we’re well set up now to deliver even more in 2012.
Thanks do much for reading and joining in with us this year – have a great holiday.
The blog will be taking a break over the festive season until posting resumes on the 9th of January 2012.
Interactive 3D projection mapping on an iPad
Posted on 29. Nov, 2011 by Jonathan Cherry.
This application may appear a bit of an overkill for this demonstration, but the potential for using this kind of technology for other displays that could do with some touchy-feely is astounding.
It’s very acceptable indeed.
Disney’s Times Square illusion
Posted on 24. Nov, 2011 by Jonathan Cherry.
While thousands battle pepper-spraying police and icy weather as part of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York – movement members are lucky enjoy to take a bit of time off in Times Square with a new Augmented Reality billboard courtesy of the good folks at Disney. Stand in the designated area and Pluto, Mickey and the whole gang magically interact and play with you. Next instalment may even include Lt John Pike with his infamous red canister and a fresh supply of OC gas. Such fun. Soon there won’t be a person on the planet that has enjoyed the cooling effects of having this crap sprayed in their faces.
Interactive 3D projection gaming
Posted on 17. Nov, 2011 by Jonathan Cherry.
We have the whole projection mapping production side pretty well sorted, but we know the next step – is projection gaming. Love this concept from B-Reel for an event where multi-player interaction is a given.
Previously: Case study: The re-engineering of a conference – Cherryflava
[thanks Sam]
XBox Kinect: How will this influence interactive design?
Posted on 16. Nov, 2011 by Jonathan Cherry.
The XBox Kinect is potentially a revolutionary step forward when it comes to the integration of digital and real-world experiences. From education to commerce this technology has the potential to free us from physical electronic hardware. Amazing in the right hands.
