UTS design staff inspire

UTS design staff recently created the atmosphere for the TEDx hospitality ‘Zone’, using some technical innovations.

The first was during the presentations, where staff created a physical simulation of a text tag cloud, where the words that are repeated become larger. And, as more words are added to the cloud it changes -- some animation and swarm behaviour patterns were added to the mix to create the cloud.

It was projected onto 12 suspended three times nine metre semi-transparent panels, with the effect that the projections punch through the space.

It was designed to use real time voice-recognition software to capture and create the text. The second installation for the evening after party worked with the Iceberg's seawater swimming pool, with the pool, the ocean and the swimmers projected above the heads of the partygoers.

The designers added an interactive touch by tracking the people in the space and working with a graphic overlay onto the pool scene showing a representation of the social networking going on below.

The installation was the work of Prof Lawrence Wallen, senior lecturer Mike Day and PhD students Jason McDermott and Frank Maguire.