Beams of Sounds (Final)

Inspiration + Concept 

As you walk down the stairs of 3577 Studios, you are immediately immersed with a feeling of intrigue and "anything goes." Industrial and artsy, the studio acts as a blank canvas to creation, curiosity, and play.

Inspired by the high ceilings and structural elements of the space, Beams of Sounds replicates the two columns in the studio. While at first glance, the piece looks like just another structure, visitors will soon realize that the column has a technological and artistic upgrade compared to its surroundings. As people approach the middle column, they will notice that 8 laser beams cut through the center of the structure, as well as the eight slices of vibrant, yet out of focus, animations projected on the wall nearby. 

Fascinated by the futuristic feeling of the laser beams, curious visitors can reach out to touch the beams. Upon contact, visitors are greeted with audio and visual feedback. Each laser beam has a corresponding sound and visual reaction—allowing visitors to explore and create their own composition of sight and sound.

Final Installation

Process Photos

Site Specificity

It was important to us that the project is meant to be site-specific. By creating another column between the other two columns, it situates our laser harp within the site while providing a place for the electronics to be hidden. 

Visuals + Inspiration

The visuals are meant to be an abstract representation of the strings of the harp and responsive to the audio. When someone interacts with the laser harp, each sound is mapped to an aspect of the ball, whether it be size or the location. The balls moving within the vertical lines presents visual feedback to the visitor.  

Design and User Interaction

With abstract visuals and atmospheric sounds, visitors can interact and experience Beams of Sounds in a variety of ways. When the laser beams are untouched, there is ambient noise and the projected visuals are gently moving. When the beam is struck, it releases the sound and brings the animation to life—full of vibrancy and movement. From here, visitors can play the "beams of sound" singularly or in combination. The 5 beams can accommodate up to 2 people at a time (for the best experience), while other spectators enjoy the interaction from afar.  

The column contains the photosensors and the lasers. The projector is mounted on the ceiling, with the visuals projected to the wall on the far side of the room.