MediaArtTutorials

Module IV — Hybrid Design Project Proposal

Group Work

Objective

In this final module, you will work in groups of 4-5 students (from any tutorial) to design a Hybrid Media Installation for the Lyons Family Centre (LFS).

This project focuses on storytelling without performers, using:

objects
sound
light
projection
moving image

The goal is to apply the skills developed throughout the course — sound composition, lighting design, spatial staging, and hybrid media integration — in a collaborative design project.

Installation Context

Your proposal must be designed for the Lyons Family Centre (LFS).

Assume the following setup:

No audience seating
The audience can move freely through the installation
Six-channel sound system, with speakers positioned around the space
One main video projection surface located on one of the walls

Available sculptural objects:

2 large metal cubes
2 medium metal cubes
5–6 small metal cubes
2 small black solid cubes

Group Strategy

Groups may:

select one previous project or submission and expand it, or
combine ideas from multiple group members to design this hybrid installation.

The final proposal should represent one unified installation concept.

Proposal (PDF) Components

Submit one group PDF containing the following sections.

The proposal document should not exceed 6 pages.

1. General Information

Include:

Project Title
Authors with roles (e.g., sound design, spatial design, lighting design, video, documentation)
Short bios (max. 50 words each)
Credits for any external media used (sound samples, video footage, images, textures, etc.)

2. Artistic Rationale (150–250 words)

Explain the conceptual framework of the work.

You may discuss ideas related to:

hybrid media design
spatial storytelling
feminist or decolonial approaches
non-linear narrative
sound-based environments

3. Spatial + Lighting Plan

Create a floor plan (top view) using the LFS template document provided in class.

This floor plan already contains:

the projection screen location
the six speaker positions

You must use the template and add the following elements:

cube placement (large, medium, small, and black cubes)
lighting positions
lighting direction or range
audience circulation paths

This drawing communicates how the installation is organized spatially.

⚠️ Your drawing skill is not graded.
You are graded on clarity of spatial and lighting decisions.

4. Lighting Cue Sequence

Using the spatial plan above, create a cue sequence describing how lighting behaves over time.

Your cue sequence should follow the same structure used in W6 and be written as instructions for a technician.

Include 3–5 lighting cues maximum.

Each cue must describe:

type of light (front, side, top, reflected, etc.)
colour (name or HEX code)
intensity (low / mid / high or %)
what the light affects (objects, cubes, projection surface, audience zones)
timing language (fade, snap, gradual increase, introduce, remove, shift dominance)

Example actions may include:

fading lights between spatial zones
introducing colour changes
shifting attention from one cube to another
revealing or hiding projection surfaces

Important:

These cues should be designed as continuous loops rather than a one-time sequence.

In other words, the lighting pattern should be able to repeat continuously during the installation experience.

5. Sound Plan

Describe how the six sound channels are organized.

Your plan must include:

1 stereo composition (2 speakers)
4 mono compositions (1 speaker each, assigned to separate speakers).

Important:

Do not use panning, except within the stereo composition.

Explain:

which speakers play which compositions
how sound zones are distributed across the space
how audience movement changes the listening experience

6. Blender Mockup

Include 2–3 Blender images showing a mockup of the installation.

The mockup should show:

cube placement
speaker positions
spatial relationships
projection surface location

This does not need to be highly detailed.
The goal is to visualize how the installation is arranged in space.

Media Components

Include the audio and video materials that will be used in the installation.

Your group must submit:

1 stereo composition (for the stereo speakers)
4 mono compositions (for the individual speakers)

You must also submit:

1 video composition for the projection surface

The media may:

reuse material from previous assignments
be edited or recombined versions of earlier work
combine contributions from multiple group members

All media files should be included with the proposal submission.

Submission

1 group PDF proposal
- GroupName-HybridProposal.pdf
Audio files (5 total compositions)
- GroupName-Audio-Stereo.wav
- GroupName-Audio-Mono-1.wav
- GroupName-Audio-Mono-2.wav
- GroupName-Audio-Mono-3.wav
- GroupName-Audio-Mono-4.wav
Video file for projection
- GroupName-Video.mp4

⚠️ Follow submission protocols carefully. Incorrect submissions may result in lost points.

Deadline

📅 Due: March 31
⏰ Grace period ends: April 7

Final Showcase Selection

Only proposals submitted by 📅 March 31 will be considered.

All proposals will be reviewed by the instructor.

3 projects will be selected to be realized for the Final Showcase.

Selected groups will be announced:

📅 April 1 on Avenue to Learn (announcements) and by email (to the selected groups)

Selected students will receive:

+3 points for project selection
Up to +7 additional points individually, based on:
- collaboration with the instructor
- participation in testing and refinement sessions
- presenting the work during the showcase

Selected groups will meet with theatre technicians to discuss implementation.

📅 Technician consultation: April 3

Credits: Jessica A. Rodríguez

AI Disclosure:
AI Disclosure: ChatGPT was used for editing and clarity only. No original course content was generated using AI.