Maximising Event Impact with Architectural Mapping Techniques

From the early years of courtly jousting and masquerade balls to modern trade shows and livestreamed concerts, event technology has come a long way. A long way. But one thing has persisted: when it comes to putting on events, we’re all beautifully human. We want spectacle, and ceremony. We want to be delighted and moved. We want to have an experience we’ll never forget.

With the many ways that technology has evolved over the past centuries, even in just the last few years, it can feel tough for event planners to do something that makes the average attendee attain that feeling of wonder. There’s a lot of technology that we’re just plain old used to, and many standard event practices simply don’t carry the same attention-grabbing heft anymore.

Enter: architectural mapping. From a company that puts on events daily, trust us: this is a revolutionary technology that can utterly transform the scale of your event. In fact, we want to dedicate this post to exploring how you can use this bleeding edge piece of event technology to your benefit.

What is Architectural Mapping?

Also called ‘projection mapping’, this is an event technology that lets you design and project digital lightscapes onto real-world structures. Unlike standard projections, which simply display a two-dimensional image on a flat screen, architectural mapping relies on a surface having unique shapes and dimensions to bring the light display into the real world.

Your canvas might be a stage, a building, or an entire city block. With the right array of projectors, it’s possible to turn virtually anything into a living, breathing work of art.

Of course, to do so, you have to lean into the right strategies. With quite a few projects under our belts, we have some suggestions to help in this area.

Top Strategies to Maximise Impact 

Pick Your Venue Carefully

The point of using this technology is to highlight the unique dimensions of a given space. In other words, don’t pick a boring canvas. Sure, you can use this tech on almost any surface, but it’s at its best with a suitably dramatic piece of architecture underlying the projection.

Try opting for venues with large-scale facings and distinctive features. Opt for open-air venues to provide the ultimate dramatic backdrop. Paint a heritage building in a new light – literally – to create an immersive, historic experience your guests won’t soon forget.

When in doubt, stand by that old adage: go big, or go home.

Be Discerning About Content

With architectural mapping, your creative limits are literally non-existent. There is boundless opportunity here, but that doesn’t always mean more is better. The best projections tell a story, whether that’s the history of a brand, a compelling product narrative, or a simple but elegant visual theme that enhances the mood of an event.

When planning, it pays to be discerning about what you’re projecting. Is your content meaningful? Does it fit the tone of the event you’re curating? Is it tailored to the fixed elements of your venue?

This innovative event technology has a far-reaching impact, so make sure it is highlighting and complementing your venue’s unique features, as well as the core pieces of your event, rather than fighting against them.

Lean Into Scale

One of the most exciting aspects of projection mapping is its ability to play with scale and perspective. By strategically using 3D effects, animation, and movement, you can create the illusion of depth and space, making a static structure feel like it's morphing before your audience’s eyes.

Don’t hesitate to use the full façade of the building, layering visuals and surrounding your audience on all sides to create an immersive set piece.

Plan a Feature Piece

Finally, use your architectural mapping to tease and then impress as the focal point of your event. If you show off the technology when your attendees arrive, make it really count at some point in the evening.

To us, that means creating a distinct “wow” moment at some point in the proceedings. This is the crescendo of your event, an anticipated set piece that encourages attendees to look up and share in a moment of wonder together.

It’s even better if your set piece contributes to the flow of your event. For instance, if you’re launching a brand or product, consider building a countdown into your mapping that shifts into a technicolour celebratory display once the final digit ticks over to zero.

As you can see, this is a game-changing piece of technology. Architectural mapping shouldn’t necessarily be your event’s highlight: it should be the spotlight that calls attention to what your event is truly about. Honour a heritage building by painting it in modern technicolour, herald the launch of a new project by counting it down, or light up the night sky with a celebration of your award ceremony’s honoured guests.

There’s endless potential here, so the only thing left to do is reach out and grab it.

Got a building in mind? We can map it.

Talk to Spyglass’s experts in architectural mapping to make your event as memorable as possible. If you have an \interesting venue, there’s a ton of potential there to create something unforgettable.

Our in-house creative team can provide dynamic lighting displays using our vast range of high-output projectors. Whether it’s mapping a large-scale building or lighting up a single wall with a simple image, we’ve got the resources to execute.

Ready to go? Get in touch with us for an initial consultation.