Transport 2050 Micro City
Translink’s 3D media table telling the story of Metro Vancouver’s transportation history.
Background
Metro Vancouver’s transportation authority, Translink, was looking for a creative approach to visualize it’s 30-year, regional transportation strategy, Transport 2050.
Integrating physical and digital storytelling, a media table exhibit was conceived to chronicle the regions transportation growth and future expansion. A 3D printed scale model of the region is place over monitors with triggered A/V content that provides audiences a visual representation of past and present transit services and the future vision of Transport 2050 strategy.
Client
Translink
Studio
Go2 Productions
Partners
Creative Others
Donnelly / MRG Events
ForgeLabs
Roles
TouchDesigner Developer
User Interface Designer
A/V Installation Maintenance
Asset Management
Timeline
Development - 1 mo. (Jul 2019)
Testing/Debugging - 1mo. (Aug 2019)
Locations
Pacific National Colosseum - PNE
Telus Science World (perm.)
The physical design and construction of the Micro City table was organized by Creative Others. In this phase, I assisted in designing a layout for a centralized media controller, capable of 4K playback to the media table and WVGA playback to 3 touchscreens .
Modular 3D prints were assembled atop 9 video screens, and I provided mm - pixel measurements of each models features, aiding motion graphics artists in creating the animated content. This ensured the video matched the tabletop model, as slight variations between the 3D file and the print generally occur.
Design
3D Model and Content Match Testing
Running on TouchDesigner, the user interface is displayed on the 3 touchscreens attached to each side of the media table. The touchscreens required a bit of force for touch detection, so I opted for a large hand press button versus a finger tap. Content was created for an active state (viewer activated) and idling state (looping video).
Due to Covid 19 public health orders, this interface was disabled from March, 2020 to August 2022. Currently, I am redeveloping this interface along with updating the video content to reflect Translink’s UBC Millennium Line and Langley Expo Line extensions currently underway.
Development
Touchscreen UI - Idle State
Touchscreen Video Content - Active State
Micro City was first installed for Translink’s, Transportation 2050 Expo exhibit at the PNE in August, 2019, and ran through to September 2nd.
In December, 2019, Micro City was permanently moved to Telus Science World and has become part of the Towers of Tomorrow exhibit.
Installation/Exhibition
PNE 2019
Science World - Tower’s of Tomorrow 2020
Science World - Lobby Entrance 2022
Laying monitors flat creates durability problems…
Video screens aren’t designed to sit horizontally causing issues with their large surface area being exposed to excessive weight/falling objects. Monitors are regularly checked for cracks due to guests occasionally pushing down on the printed model. It’s advised to put barriers and “Please Do Not Touch”, signage on this type of exhibit.
…we did replace a monitor from an act-of-nature, where a spotlight fell onto the exhibit.
4K monitor + 3 surrounding touchscreens makes content visibility a challenge during updates. I recommend using a remote desktop viewer (Teamviewer or Google’s Remote Desktop do the trick) from a separate laptop for this type of setup. Otherwise you may be constantly circling around the media table just to spot a mouse cursor.
Take Aways
Awards
Winner of ILEA’s Most Innovative Use of Event Technology 2020
Gold Winner -Award Experimental & Immersive Category at the 2021 MUSE Awards.
