How can a playful approach drive innovation? Visual artist and designer Craig Winslow shares his thoughts on infusing joy in immersive projection projects.
Timing is everything. Craig Winslow became fascinated with new media growing up during the dawn of the internet when suddenly all kinds of technology was available to young people. He began making stop motion videos, comedic horror films, and music videos.
After studying industrial design at Champlain College, he joined a team working on footwear and became fixated on projection mapping and aligning digital media.
Once hooked, he kept playing and created a concept in 2013 with the aim of upping the company’s presentation game that used projections to showcase different designs on the same sneakers.
Winslow shared the video online and found that a lot of other people found it cool, as well. After that, he found it too much fun to give up. His first solo project was a pop up storefront for Bucketfeet in NY, and he found his calling sharing that childlike wonder with others.
His modus operandi is:
- Be curious about something new
- Teach himself how to do it
- Make something fun with it
He shared some of his advice and experience during the DSE keynote speech at LDI 2024.
“The best bit of advice I can give you is to follow what makes you giddy like a kid.
For the past 11 years I’ve been making things in my own studio, I began making branding projects but decided to do self-initiated projects such as popups for art festivals. Eventually it lead to the creation of Winslow Studio with my partner and wife Jessica, with a goal of creating unique and meaningful art.
Portland Trailblazers
The Portland Trailblazers came to me to create a new spectacle for the playoffs. They wanted something brand new that didn’t just look good for broadcast. The most expensive seats in the house usually are terrible because they can’t see the projections on the court so I decided to make a 35’ curtain for projections instead. They went all in. The result was great – we used highlights from the season and although it was risky if the kabuki drop on the curtain had failed but it worked. The Trailblazers loved it so much they extended it through the player intros.
Cancer Center Gala
The subject matter here was challenging, it was very serious but also positive.
We divided the content into three stories so guests at the gala could choose a path to walk and follow a journey. We used lighting to guide visitors along each path.
The budget allowed for projection on MDF panels painted black, but during the journey to the venue in Portland it got wet in the rain and warped. I had to map the unique surfaces using structured scans.
On this project there were so many opinions we had to lock in the project in pre-viz – this is key, you cannot keep making changes when you have moved into a tight ballroom venue. Thought the space was limited, the movement through it was engaging and amplified the experience.