Final Project Report 1: iTunes Hologram

What a remarkable journey it has been both ideating and implementing my iTunes Hologram design. Β Please see below for details on my process.

INSPIRATION

a) iTunes & iPod 2000-2011 Ad Campaign

My hologram is created based on one of the most successful advertising campaigns ever executed. Β My project is inspired by the iTunes and iPod web, print, TV, and billboard advertisements widespread from early 2000 to 2011. Β Chances are high that you will recognize these iconic figures represented by dancing silhouettes against vibrant backgrounds. Β A sample of images as such is pictured below.

I also recommend taking a peek at this highly informative website outlining the specifics and scope of the iTunes advertising campaign:

http://www.pophistorydig.com/topics/ipod-silhouettes-2000-2011/

I purchased many iTunes gift cards during my preteen and teenage years, so as I look back, I now feel uncomfortablyΒ old and incredibly reminiscent. Β It is fascinating to see how far Apple has come especially as we see Apple Music and other streaming services growing in popularity. Β The technology industry is incredibly exciting because it is impossible to know exactly what’s to come.

b) Pop Art & Design

The 20th-century design movement that is most integral to the design of my final project is pop art, a genre lasting from 1958 to 1972 emerging first in Britain. Β This movement is characterized by a rainbow of colors, expressive forms, repetition, vivid patterns, and incorporation of well-known personalities (such as Marilyn Monroe and comic characters) in addition to consumerΒ products (like Campbell’s soup and Coca-Cola).

One of the most widely known pop artists is Andy Warhol who created the works pictured below.

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Warhol was often inspired by advertisements and consumer goods that were mass-produced. Β Likewise, I was inspired to create a design based upon well-known iTunes and iPod advertisements featuring silhouettes against bright pinks, greens, purples, and yellows.

An example of the type of advertisement I have incorporated is shown below.

Additional examples of pop design in other contexts such as a political poster and interior design are to follow.

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c) “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

Both the music and dance routines represented in my design stem from inspiration gained in observing Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” music video. Β I immediately fell in love with his transition from dancer to dancer and upbeat audio. Β In creating my iTunes Hologram, I purchased this song from iTunes. Β The music video is included directly below.

 

d) Apple’s Mantra & Design

My design incorporates Apple’s “Think Different” mantra in expressing the individuality and uniqueness of each dancer represented. Β It also draws upon the silver curves of many Apple products.

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EXECUTION

Technical Aspect

Hologram Projection

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Materials

Prototype Materials

  • Protractor
  • Stainless Steel Ruler
  • Xacto Knife
  • Scotch Tape
  • Plastic (recycled product packaging)
  • Paper

Final Design Materials

  • 12in x 12in x 0.8in Acrylic from Online Metals
  • Laser Cutter
  • CorelDRAW
  • Adobe Premiere
  • Duct Tape
  • Metallic Silver Paint

Budget

I planned to spend no more than $150 on this project.

My actual expenses are as follows:

  • Acrylic = $19.78
  • Adobe Premiere = $29.99
  • Metallic Silver Paint = $2.79
  • Pond5 Footage = $20

This makes for a total of $72.56.

Video Creation

I utilized Adobe Premiere in the execution of this project. Β To start, I created layers to differentiate between 4 separate panels represented in the image below as V1, V2, V3, and V4.

I utilized Safety and Action Guides for placement and to maintain safe margins across devices.

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To create varying colors against a black background, I adjusted the following levels. Β Black Output Level values combine as typical rgb values toΒ create the color of the dancer.

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The Aesthetic

Pond5 Footage

Color

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Laser Cutting

First, I drew each trapezoid in CorelDRAW using the pen tool. Β Note that I used paper prototypes to confirm measurements. Β Each shape had the following dimensions for optimal use on an iPad:

  • Base 1 = 0.958 in
  • Base 2 = 6.5 in
  • Height = 3.817 in
  • Hypotenuse = 4.717 in
  • Base Angle = 54Β degrees

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After submitting my document to the laser cutter, I watched as the Laser Cutter effortlessly sliced to perfection. Β Such precision! Β Upon prepping the machine, the job took only 10 minutes.

Upon removing my work from the laser cutter, I noticed that there was, unfortunately, excess melting and residue from previous jobs sticking to my trapezoids. I now know to leave the protective lining on my acrylic, but for this project, I made the mistake of removing it prematurely. Β I attempted to remove the excess with Goo Gone, Clorox, and alcohol, but my efforts were not entirely restorative.

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Assembly

To assemble my four trapezoids, I considered and tested many options including hinges, clay, string, wire, wax, superglue, and scotch tape. Β However, in the end, I found no better adhesive than duct tape. Β Originally, I was opposed to this idea, but after more closely considering my aesthetic, I decided this was my best possible option because it would allow for simplicity, silver lining, curves, and no sharp edges. Β I also chose to paint the duct table metallic silver to emphasize the kind of quality devices Apple presents.

 

RESULTS

Finished Video

The iTunes & iPod Hologram footage is included below. Β The video is exciting to watch both as a hologram and as is.

 

Finished iTunes Hologram Projector

The prototype of my 4-panel hologram projector is shown below. Β The design has evolved to become more durable and larger over time.

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The final version of my hologram may be witnessed below at 10:40 in my in-class presentation video.

Is it Art?

I believe my iTunes Hologram to be art because of the way in which I designed for “function to follow form.” Β Every decision made was in light of my iTunes/Apple aesthetic. Β I am surprised I was able to design in this way as I expected it would be nearly impossible to design in this order. Β However, I found that in my fascination with the iTunes and iPod campaigns, I was inspired to create a hologram. Β I also believe my design is art because of my intentionality in creating something that expresses a part of me.

Next Steps

Now that my iTunes Hologram is complete, I plan to have fun creating additional videos that can be played as holograms. Β I look forward to simultaneously filming from four directions to create a more realistic three-dimensional appeal. Β I also would like to experiment more with real time filming so that one might be able to film at a given moment and be seen as part of a hologram. Β I also believe there is much potential for an idea as such to be incorporated at trade shows or in product demos within the industry. Β I would certainly like to take part in engineering this kind of capability.

 

CITATION

  • p://www.instructables.com/id/Reflective-Prism/
  • https://www.pinterest.com/theatre5dot1/soundbass/
  • https://www.pinterest.com/pin/277041814548900719/
  • https://www.pinterest.com/pin/222365300321492754/http://bit.ly/2mbON2o
  • http://news.softpedia.com/news/Did-You-Know-The-Story-behind-Apple-039-s-039-Think-Different-039-Motto-88130.shtml
  • http://www.creativebloq.com/art/pop-art-8133921
  • http://www.architectureartdesigns.com/18-chic-interior-designs-inspired-by-pop-art/
  • https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/andy-warhol-campbells-soup-cans-1962
  • http://www.designveryeasy.com/tags/Wayne-Thiebaud-Pop-Art-Movement-58262
  • http://drdgraphicdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/06/pop-art-movement-and-graphic-design.html
  • https://learnodo-newtonic.com/andy-warhol-famous-paintingshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_%22Hope%22_poster

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