Conversations@the Studio

Project Development

Research stages

The first stage of research in 2004 involved: The analysis of the core components to be integrated from the experimental models; the planning and design of the IIIE; the 360 degree global recording; testing with sample audio and video; design of the interface system; and post-production of the 360 degree video and audio recording. The second stage of research involved the completion of all the implementation tasks and the installation of the demonstrator, in 2005, at the Powerhouse Museum as part of the museum’s new permanent decorative arts wing for an exhibition entitled Inspired! design across time. The final stage of the research ensued from the evaluation of public user interaction with the installation at the Powerhouse Museum, and adjustments of the interaction design to facilitate improved functionality.

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Edols & Elliot Glass Studio Brookvale. Equirectangular view

Powerhouse installation

The highly successful installation at the Powerhouse takes the form of a custom designed three-meter diameter hemispherical fibreglass projection screen that is mounted vertically so that viewers look straight ahead into its immersive concave projection space. A high-resolution projector fitted with a unique 360 degree fisheye lens is mounted in front of the screen, and the projection is augmented by a 5 channel surround sound system. The specifically developed user interface is an over-sized illuminated track ball that allows navigation of the global video recording, and which changes colour in dynamic relation to the content displayed on the screen. This latter functionality is adapted to signalling the availability of close-up sequences within the global scene. Additional controls activate the voice-over commentary and offer a fast forward function. The IIIE forms the central digital focus of the Powerhouse Museum’s new permanent gallery showcasing artefacts from its Decorative Arts and Design collection. The IIIE utilizes an integrated design strategy that is driven by the specific nature of the Museum’s decorative arts content, enriching the content by offering multiple layers of multimedia production that augment methods of documentation using 360 degree global recording. Innovative visualisation and interface strategies incorporate these recordings in an environment where the viewer can encounter and explore the content in a dynamic manner.

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Conversations@the Studio installation model