How do you turn an otherwise bland surface into a dynamic audio visual display? A continuing growing trend that has been around a while now, Video Projection Mapping still continues to astound me in how far creatives can push the boundaries of technology. if you are a little weary of traditional motion graphics and underwhelmed by the fad of 3D movies this technology is definitely worth a look.

So what is Video Projection Mapping? Well, using specialised software programmers can visualise, warp, distort and mask projected imagery onto almost any canvas turning practically any architectural structure into a huge screen. The idea being that a 3D object is transformed on a 2D surface enabling the projection to give a variety of mind bending and fascinating illusions right before your eyes. When executed perfectly, the finished result can be breath taking and could be considered to make far more of an impact than a traditional screen.

The Austrian Leopold Museum’s display during it’s 10th anniversary is a particular favourite of mine. What seems a straight bland piece of architecture folds, unravels and transforms its shape spectacularly.

Further demonstration of just how versatile these ideas are is shown in ‘Golden Tiger‘, a street mapping project in Paris which exhibits a tiger running down a city street at night. A simple concept in itself but when executed looks particularly thrilling.

Personal opinion is that the preferred projects are the ones in which are done for purely creative purposes however I’m surprised we are not seeing more of this type of medium in advertising and a shift into more mainstream conventions. There are lots of examples of this technique out in the world now – have you seen a good one? Share it with us and have your say.

For any creative project from web to brochure design, submit a brief now!

Paper Boat Creative

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrrZ3c6aS7I

In 1945, Walt Disney and Salvador Dali worked together on a short film called Destino. The two might seem like odd collaborators but the pairing was logical in a way. Disney’s animators could depict Dali’s wildest imaginings, and Disney film like Fantasia are all kinds of surreal. They produced storyboards and 17 seconds of footage, but the project was abandoned and forgotten after financial trouble.

In 1999, Disney’s nephew Roy discovered the Destino storyboards. He was inspired and commissioned Disney Studios France to complete the project. You must watch the resulting 6 minute film. It’s about a couple, tragically separated by strange surreal boundaries. She dances across surreal landscape, narrowly escapes an eyeball monster, slips into a dress formed by the shadow of a bell and recoils as her lover’s face melts right off. He escapes from a clock prison but sees ants crawl out of his hands and become Frenchmen riding bicycles.

Destino’s aesthetic is distinctively Disney and Dali at the same time. The heroine is an unmistakable Disney princess, yet the imagery is Dali in motion. It makes perfect sense because both artists inspire wonder in viewers, even 65 years on.

Although most football fans who grace the ‘terraces’ don’t consider themselves design experts, the subject of their team’s kit design is always emotive

Inherent in this consumer desire is a list of perceived cool brands. Not surprisingly, for the average fan, use of Nike, Adidas, Puma and the like is considered cool whereas less ‘global’ kit manufacturers are a little bit shaky. The bigger the brand, the bigger the club. Perception, as we know in design and marketing, is a major part of success.

When a club newly-promoted to the highest echelon of English football, Norwich City,  announced that it was changing its kit manufacturer there was wide Internet speculation about whether its new bigger status would mean the accompanying big brand. Internet leaks in the build up to the launch suggested that they were in for disappointment – the name in the frame was Italian manufacturer Errea: very successful, but not associated with ‘top-flight’ teams. This speculation detracted from what the design would actually be like – although with yellow and green as the team colours it’s always going to be  a design challenge.

Now I don’t know whether the club picked up on these murmurings of discontent but the announcement was slightly delayed. Was there going to be a last-minute change? It should be noted that this club has a large band of social media followers especially on Twitter: its #ncfc hashtag was one of the first to be claimed before most people knew what Twitter was. So there was plenty of opportunity to monitor sentiment.

Yesterday these rumblings turned to mass applause. Kit launches are traditionally a few players modelling the new look and some traditional media to start the sales process. Norwich City decided to embrace new media in all its forms. And in so doing pulled off a marketing and design masterpiece by promoting the ‘Italian style’ element of the design.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xew50XrbOLU

In the first day the video attracted over 50,000 hits, receiving endorsement from its celebrity director and ‘King of Twitter’ Stephen Fry, and ensuring massive pre-sales of a kit that might otherwise have met with a lukewarm reception. It is currently the 5th most-watched video on Youtube in the UK.  Add in the dedicated site, social share and email to a friend options, it not only delivered a new kit to its fans but established itself in the premier league of social and digital marketing, not just sport. A great video and a great way to win fans over.

If you want to try video to woo your customers or want more brand style ideas, submit a design brief now!

*the editor of this piece wishes to disclose over 40 years support of the club and numerous kit purchases in this time

This 1970s U.S. Navy ‘educational video’ is a warning against the dangers of syphilis. Far from making a boring old film strip, they recruited Count Spirochete, the VD vampire. Yes, VD vampire. Watch our friend the count crawl into the vagina of his next victim. Seriously, just watch it. My words can’t do the count justice!

This little lot have had more hits than 12 rounds with Tyson, have a watch and let us know your favourite!

First up, it’s a bit of Bieber fever! 19,364,560 views to date.

As annoying as the title suggests: 27,786,269 views to date.

I hope they got this in one take! 20,616,201 views to date.

A nice bit of parody here with an epic 52,215,105 views to date.

An interesting take on one of the funniest things I saw this year! 48,996,781 views to date.

You can see more great virals over at The Daily Mail.

AXN 3d CINE from Jaime Alvarez on Vimeo.

Pepsi have nailed a great concept with Oh Africa, can’t help but laugh.

In keeping with dance moves and strutting your stuff, Coca Cola have tracked back to Roger Milla scoring in the 1990 World Cup to take viewers along the evolutionary path of goal celebrations.

Nike have also kicked out this excellent ad, “Take It To The Nest Level”, directed by Guy Ritchie.

Puma: Journey of football, a beautiful flow and love for football in this ad set in Africa

It always good to take some time and hear from the industry’s best. This video from AIGA last year shows design legend Michael Bierut Discussing good design, working in a recession and designs rising status.

Do you agree that design’s status has risen among professionals? leave your comments.