learning Goals - intership post 3

As a point of departure we have been asked to sum up our hope, aspirations and learning goals for the internship. I have been doing this over the past two posts but have formally written it up and posted it into the school environment on Fronter. Does that make it official? I guess it does - or at least until I am formally told it is worthless nonsense and I should redo it in an effectual manner!... But here are the learning goals of each of the three ideas I have presented to Comtech.

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Learning Goals.

My 3^rd semester internship will take place in a Danish AV (Audio Visual) and event company called Comtech A/S. I have been working professionally with Comtech over the past two years or so and have substantial inside knowledge of their employees, their functions and roles, as well as aspirations and future possibilities of the company.

Some of the main events that I have worked with include the COP15 UN conference on climate change in the Bella Center in December of 2009 and on the Orange Stage at Roskilde Festival, 2010. Both of these events hosted international partners for whom professionalism was of the utmost importance. As a result, I was able to witness and participate with Comtech at the height of their capabilities.

I initially approached Lars Nissan, one of the head project leaders within the company to propose my internship. After a brief consultation, we decided that I would present a number of ideas that I thought would traverse my education with Comtech's competences. Those ideas are presented below – three in total.

We also agreed that my day to day contact in regards to the chosen project would be the crew booker, Liza van der Voorn. (All contact details are at the end of this document).

The three idea proposals.

With my knowledge of both e-media and Comtech's competences, I have devised three ideas that I believe will both benefit Comtech and fulfill my educational requirements. All of the ideas involve varying degrees of project management which will become one of my main responsibilities. Another trait that bridges all of the ideas is visual design and communication. And lastly, at least two of the ideas will incorporate some kind of mobile interaction. On this account, I can confidently say that, whichever idea is decided upon, my module criteria will be satisfied. The ideas are as follows;

1. A skinable Twitter like application to be used as an official communications tool at conferences, exhibitions etc.

2. An out door 3d-mapping event
3. An investigation and development of SMS and MMS to big screen technology.

1. This idea spawns from my experience of working at the COP15 conference in December 2009. The size of the conference dictated the need for a comprehensive interface that would coherently provide information concerning the different rooms, speakers, topics, etc. This was provided but in a one way level, where the conference organizers would push the information and hence it would be consumed – that is, there was no interaction between the actual attendees and the organizers. My idea, roughly put, would be to develop a web application that could be tailored according to a brand and used, like Twitter, as a communication tool between attendees and conference organizers. The first question that would obviously arise, is, “Why then not just use Twitter?” There are three reasons I can think of to answer this at present; so that conference organizers can brand the application to their own end; to restrict who sees the communication, that is, to “wall-in” communiqués; and, to push traffic to a specific website outside of Twitter and therefore generate income through sponsorship and the like.
   The future possibilities of this technology are far. I have tentatively looked into the integration of touch screen technology, real time data collecting, real time video conferencing and such, to name but a few of the ideas. But I believe that to make this kind of service viable, simplicity in the beginning would be best, not only from the developers point of view, but also from that of the end user.
   My main learning goals involved with such a project would consist of, but not be limited to;
   - learning about the functions and application of the Twitter API
   - implementing a back end database through the use of a CMS such as Wordpress or Drupal
   - assembling and maintaining the on-site hardware structure of such a network
   - implementing mobile integration
   - assembling and maintaining a wireless network
   - designing graphical content in line with clients visual needs
   - maintaining and surveying real time content in line with clients communication needs
   - project management
2. Utilizing powerful projectors, it is possible to use other spaces and environments as screens, for example, the sides of buildings. This can be used in either a strictly aesthetic manner or with some inherent commercial value.
   My learning goals for this project would be, but not limited to;
   - working on a visual design from conception to final product. This would take into account branding requirements of a given client
   - developing and implementing a motion graphical storyboard
   - implementation and optimization of different video and file types
   - assembling and maintaining on-site hardware
   - project management
   Future possibilities could include some sort of user interaction by use of mobile technology.
3. As part of the Roskilde festival 2009, Comtech provided an SMS service wherein audience members could upload an SMS message that would then be displayed on the big screens of the venue during the intervals. This idea would be somewhat along the lines of the Twitter feed, but would also allow 2^nd generation phone interaction i.e. SMS and MMS compatible.
   It was also used as promotion for the Diesel Clothing Company in a campaign entitled “Be Stupid”. Users were asked to take photos of themselves using their mobile phones and upload them to the web. These were then displayed via a big screen in the shop window.
   My learning goals for this project would include but not be limited to;
   - designing and implementing a back end application that spans differing levels of technology
   - designing graphical content in line with clients visual needs
   - maintaining and surveying real time content in line with clients communication needs
   - assembling and maintaining on-site hardware
   - project management

All three ideas/projects have different levels of challenge and feasibility in regards to myself as the student, my school as an education establishment, and Comtech as a professional company. But my main hope at the end of the project is to be able to produce a product, whether it is a standalone application or knowledge that I alone attain, that will be valuable in future scenarios.

I will be keeping a video diary on my own blog (http://spo3.com) of ongoing events whilst at the same time using it is a platform for investigation, experimentation and exhibition.

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I have purposely left out the contact list, if anyone noticed. Critique please? Is there anything that should be explained more accurately? It all makes sense to me but then I have been working with it for a while and have tunnel vision. It may read like ancient Greek to an outside sensor. 

internship video post 2.

3d mapping inspiration

Here is a small collection of videos from youtube showing different 3d mapping projects from around the globe. I have to find out the difference between true 3d mapping and what appears to be just using the sides of buildings as a huge screen and integrating the surface into the animation. For instance, for the 2d projections, it would be easy to use after effects or apple motion to produce the content. But what software is used for the true 3d mapping eg the superbien video or the Toyoto promotion.

Internship development.

I don't know if I mentioned it in the video post below, but I have been in conversation with Comtech about a possible 3d mapping event to coincide with the opening of the Bella Center Hotel here in Copenhagen. The ball has been put into motion regarding the right people know and so a decision should be made soon - three months, I feel, may not be a long time for this process, especially for beginners.
 Above is an architect's representation of the building though to be honest this is quite poor.  

And another which would have been taken quite a while ago since the building's exterior is almost completely finished.

And, thanks to Sol, who would be the main conspirator in this project, his mobile image after he had lit up the building last week - so you can see the difference. This, I would suggest, would be the "screen" for the projection.
Hmmmmmmmmmm.
And for anybody not quite sure what the billy shears I am on about go here for a little taster!

acetate scans

have been experimenting with oil paints, ink, water paints and squeezing them inbetween two sheets of acetate and then scanning the dried results - manipulation afterwards - here are some of the results. Passing the images through various filters, then refiltering them I was able to get some interesting results. Next step will be to put them into either Motion or FCP and manipulate the colour saturation, vibrancy etc over a timeline.  Will post the results when they are ready and if they are any good. 

spo3podcast17

At the computer almost 16hrs a day now and will be for the next few days - but not all the work is to do with the exams. In fact, very little of it is at this point, though that will change in the next, ohhhhhh, 16hrs, probably. But to keep some sort of sanity visible on the horizon, here is a playlist to weather the storm - bit of a mix alright...

Pray for Rain - Massive Attack Feat. Tunde Adebimpe
DLZ - TV on the Radio
Police - Fucked Up
Moar Ghosts 'n' Stuff - Deadmau5
Fot i hose - Casiokids
Yeah You're Right, You Know You're Right - The Gaturs
Wily Coyote - Thee Headcoats
Sensemilla - Yellowman
Wild Youth - Generation X
Craptelly - Band Ane
Dare(DFA mix) - Gorillaz
Gum - Cornelius
Par Avion - FM Belfast
Come On Feet - Pete and the Pirates
William's Blood - Grace Jones

get it here and engoy

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beginning of the internship project - post 1.

As part of my third semester for my study, (still studying! - some folks said I was a late developer) I have had to find a company that I can use and who can use me in a process of mutual "useiness" (what a great word! don't bother looking it up, it don't exist). Luckily, the company who have agreed to work with me and I it, is one that has agreed to work with me in the past and paid me for such pleasure - amazing that there are still folk out there willing to hire an old unknowledgeable horse like myself - I jest, of course.
 But to the brass tacks - I have to come up with a few ideas that said company could use me to implement/ investigate etc. As I have been working with this company before (btw, the company is called Comtech A/S) I have a good idea of what they do and what they could do. In this, coupled with my education and some of the ideas that I have, three different(though could be connected) avenues have opened for investigation -
1. to design and implement a skinnable Twitter like api that could be used for communication and interaction at conferences and industry/commercial expo's.
2. to design and implement a 3d-mapping project for a cultural event  - the grand opening of the Bella Center Hotel which will take place in about three months time could be a contender.
3. to design, implement and extend the use of SMS, MMS and social media on a commercial basis in a real time environment. An example of this can been seen here (video at bottom) where Comtech were involved in setting up the screens and the back end frame work.

So those are the three ideas which I will submit to the company and see which one sticks.

 As for this blog, I will be posting stuff on it applicable to the internship, the previous semesters work so that I can build a portfolio (though I will be working on another more appropriate site for that as time goes on and my own (stunning!) graphic work which I just can't seem to shake - that and the music - I guess those my catharsis. And above is a video blog broadening some of the three ideas. My writing my be long winded - but by christ, you should hear me talk!!

And here is a little of some things that Comtech could be getting themselves more into - video

Happy new year and all that jazz - and here is a new mix for you kids on the block. And how many more cliches can I fit into an opening sentence. Cliches?! - soooo last year.

Podcast number 16 this time around -

A rose for Emily - The Zombies
Echoes around the sun - Paul Weller
The most expensive sleep - Graham Day and the Gaolers
I don't know - Willie Mabon
One of the survivors - The Kinks
Dance Of The Inhabitants Of The Palace Of King Phillip Xiv Of Spain - Jason Q. Lytle
Toxic - CallMeKat
Quatsch - Vive Le fete
Hazel - Cocteau Twins
Flying V - The Untamed
Safety in Numbers - Strike the Colours
Rocking Horse - Kelli Ali
Natural Tune - Efterklang
Claustrophobia - Choir of Young Believers
Golden Phone - Micachu and the Shapes
Knock Load(Live) - Neko Case
Lemonaide - Kak
Killemall - Menomema
All Blues Hail Mary - Joe Henry

Engoy!!

I have a load of things to do at the moment but thought to get myself started in the way of work again after the holidays, I should make this mix. BTW, if anybody is looking at any of the other mixes from previous postings and want copies, then they should get in contact since none of these shows are hosted any longer and the links are dead.