Responsive Environments
My Role:
- Illustration
- Animation
Tools:
- ProCreate
- After Effects
Project Type:
University Project
Project Year:
2024
Overview
This project is all about creating a small moment of care and comfort. We designed an interactive rain wall where passersby are accompanied by a virtual umbrella. As clouds gather and wind picks up on screen, the umbrella quietly appears above each person detected, moving with them as they walk past.
The idea is simple but meaningful: no one should be left alone in the rain.
Process
Concept Phase
We began with the emotional goal: how can we build an interactive piece that doesn’t just entertain, but comforts?
That’s where the rain wall came in. As people walk by, they’re not just detected but they’re acknowledged, protected, accompanied.
Use Case: Therapy & Care
The primary setting for this concept is a physiotherapy or psychotherapy center. There, the umbrella becomes a symbol of care and support. It’s a quiet way of showing: you are not alone.
The installation could also be adapted for storefront windows or other public-facing displays to spread its message.
How It Works
Behind the scenes, a Kinect sensor tracks people as they move in front of the screen. When someone enters the detection zone:
- An animated umbrella appears above them
- A rain-free zone follows their movement along the screen (X-axis)
- Background visuals show clouds, rain, and ambient storm sounds
- When the person leaves, the umbrella fades away
We used Resolume to layer visuals and sync animations. The rain video loops continuously in the background, while the umbrella and “dry zone” overlay reacts live to user movement.
Final Thoughts
This project was a fun challenge. I gathered so many new impressions along the way, from working (getting taught) with motion tracking to exploring how visual storytelling can create a sense of comfort.