Projection designs are arguably the most influential elements of today’s live shows. They are not just a typical decorative element but rather a complimentary force for the action on stage. Generally, projection designs are, in alive event or performance, as important as the character(s) in the play. They are visual storytellers who add a layer of visual informationother design elements, including scenic, lighting, and costume designs can’t. When done right, these media designs can set the mood and create an immersive environment that will get the audience deeply invested.
Creating such suggestive, evocative, and informative projection designs is not as easy as it may seem. The following guiding principles, however, will help you craft perfect projections.
Guiding Principles for Perfect Projection Design
Besides the typical principles of design – balance, emphasis, rhythm, proportion, and unity – these guidelines will enable you to design cohesive and truly impactful projections.
Understand the Story
As some experts put it, a projection design is a “character” in the narrative. This means it should also tell the story alongside the performers and other elements of design. And so, to create perfect projections, you must really understand the story. Step into and embed yourself into the world of the show’s characters to have in-depth familiarity with the written story.
Here, understanding the story means knowing exactly what is going onon the stage and the emotional response it is expected to evoke. [Readmore about works of Aaron Rhyne on Projection Design here]
Understanding the narrative will enable to you create projections that are in service of the story the entire creative team –the performer(s) and other elements of designs – is trying to tell.
Understanding the storyline will also help you determine when to push or pull the emphasis and work out how to do it effectively in support of the narrative. Note, that your designs should work in harmony with the rest of the performance – telling the written story cohesively. Do not overdo anything.
The point, here, is to make sure that your content does not distract, confuse, or take the audience out of the story. But rather enforce the actions on stage. That way, the audience remains invested in the performance. Remember, visual content is significantly powerful and can make or kill the show. Your job as projection creative is to support the production, not to harm it.
Collaboration with the Rest of Creative Team
Collaboration is certainly the key to success in the media design. And projection design is not exceptional. It is not a standalone sector. As such, to create impactful projections, working alongside the entire creative team is indispensable. You have to be highly collaborative to succeed in this sector.
First, you have to work hand in hand with the director or choreographer. You have to have in-depth discussions with the director about concepts, design ideas, and imagery, and most importantly, understand their desires. That way, you can create projections that support their vision.
You also have to work collaboratively with other creative designers. Notably, a perfect projection design works in harmony with other elements of design. It does not compete with those elements – set, lighting, sound, and costume design. Instead, it complements them.
To design such a complementary device you have to work hand in hand with these designers. Understand their perspective to design around common grounds and create a harmonious balance.
Experiment
Projection design, like any other creative design, is not restrictive. Success in this sector is based on trial and error.
While your goal is to create something that not only complements the show but also moves the audience, you should not be bound to conventional ideas. Try everything and anything that you think can work. After all, you never know what’s going to work until you try.
Typically, the greatest creatives create dozens of designs in pursuit of a few that work best. Most don’t work and some do, and that’s great.
The cool thing about designs is that you get to test your ideas before the show. And during the rehearsals, you can decide what to refine and what to drop. Still, during the rehearsals and previews, it’s worth focusing your attention on, not only the performance but also the audience. Note how and what they react to and when. That is how you learn and also land a satisfying projection design.
Final words
Projection design is a creative art that offers endless possibilities for creativity. It is a delicate blend of creativity, collaboration, and a bit of technical skills. Combining these attributes into your projection designing process is the way to a satisfying product. In addition to that, having confidence in your creative ability is also an element of success. Trust you can create that moving projection and you will. As Henry Ford famously stated, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right,”
