The Sphere
The Sphere
Experience Design, Interactive Installation
Team
Team
Altinöz Mert
Dunke Leonie
Nuss Lucas
Altinöz Mert
Dunke Leonie
Nuss Lucas
Role
Role
Conception
Construction
Media Design
Conception
Construction
Media Design
Project Overview
Project Overview
The Sphere is an interactive light and sound installation where visitors step inside a large cylindrical structure and control a three-part audiovisual show using a custom-built sphere controller. The project blends physical interaction, immersive storytelling, and responsive technology to create a dramatic, game-like experience.
The Sphere is an interactive light and sound installation where visitors step inside a large cylindrical structure and control a three-part audiovisual show using a custom-built sphere controller. The project blends physical interaction, immersive storytelling, and responsive technology to create a dramatic, game-like experience.
Challenge
Challenge
The challenge was to conceive, design, and present an interactive media space that uses sound and light as the main storytelling elements. The installation needed to be expressive yet reduced to the maximum, with a strong link between interaction and media response.
The challenge was to conceive, design, and present an interactive media space that uses sound and light as the main storytelling elements. The installation needed to be expressive yet reduced to the maximum, with a strong link between interaction and media response.
Research
Research
Focus:
Exploring how physical objects can control complex digital environments.
User Goals:
Feel fully immersed in a responsive audiovisual space.
Understand interaction quickly without detailed instructions.
Experience a narrative that evolves with their actions.
Focus:
Exploring how physical objects can control complex digital environments.
User Goals:
Feel fully immersed in a responsive audiovisual space.
Understand interaction quickly without detailed instructions.
Experience a narrative that evolves with their actions.
Process
Process
Concept & Storyboarding:
Defined a three-part narrative: introduction, interactive catch/fight game, and dramatic ending.Prototyping:
Built early setups with LED rails and a first sphere controller to test core interactions.Controller Development:
Created a custom sphere with Arduino sensors, enabling press and rotation as intuitive inputs.Iteration:
Expanded light setup, refined sound design, and adjusted game logic through multiple test cycles.Integration:
Connected all elements (lights, sound, visuals, controller) via OSC into one seamless installation.
Concept & Storyboarding:
Defined a three-part narrative: introduction, interactive catch/fight game, and dramatic ending.Prototyping:
Built early setups with LED rails and a first sphere controller to test core interactions.Controller Development:
Created a custom sphere with Arduino sensors, enabling press and rotation as intuitive inputs.Iteration:
Expanded light setup, refined sound design, and adjusted game logic through multiple test cycles.Integration:
Connected all elements (lights, sound, visuals, controller) via OSC into one seamless installation.
Solution
Solution
The Sphere is an immersive light and sound installation controlled through a physical sphere.
🟢 Intro sequence: visitors explore light and sound to discover the space.
🔴 Interactive game: a light antagonist chases the visitor’s protagonist, with intensity rising through color and sound.
⚡ Dramatic ending: capture triggers a full red climax of light and audio.
🎛 Custom controller: pressing and rotating the sphere makes interaction simple, direct, and engaging.
The Sphere is an immersive light and sound installation controlled through a physical sphere.
🟢 Intro sequence: visitors explore light and sound to discover the space.
🔴 Interactive game: a light antagonist chases the visitor’s protagonist, with intensity rising through color and sound.
⚡ Dramatic ending: capture triggers a full red climax of light and audio.
🎛 Custom controller: pressing and rotating the sphere makes interaction simple, direct, and engaging.
Impact
Impact
Delivered a unique physical-digital connection that engaged visitors beyond passive observation. Demonstrated the power of light, sound, and interaction to create narrative tension.
Delivered a unique physical-digital connection that engaged visitors beyond passive observation. Demonstrated the power of light, sound, and interaction to create narrative tension.
Learnings
Learnings
Connecting physical to digital requires clear, immediate feedback for visitors.
Dividing work by team strengths and reusing/upcycling materials proved efficient.
Abstract design thinking helped translate screen-based concepts to LED pixel rails.
Connecting physical to digital requires clear, immediate feedback for visitors.
Dividing work by team strengths and reusing/upcycling materials proved efficient.
Abstract design thinking helped translate screen-based concepts to LED pixel rails.
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