Beyond the Grid
YEAR
Fall 2023
DURATION
4 weeks
TOOLS
Resolume, TouchDesigner
DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Projection Mapping, Interactive Exhibition
Beyond the Grid
YEAR
Fall 2023
DURATION
4 weeks
TOOLS
Resolume, TouchDesigner
SOLUTIONS
Projection Mapping, Interactive Exhibition
Beyond the Grid
YEAR
Fall 2023
DURATION
4 weeks
TOOLS
Resolume, TouchDesigner
DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Projection Mapping, Interactive Exhibition
Beyond the Grid
YEAR
Fall 2023
DURATION
4 weeks
TOOLS
Resolume, TouchDesigner
DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Projection Mapping, Interactive Exhibition
Beyond the Grid
YEAR
Fall 2023
DURATION
4 weeks
TOOLS
Resolume, TouchDesigner
SOLUTIONS
Projection Mapping, Interactive Exhibition
"don't be governed by the grid, govern the grid" - vignelli
"don't be governed by the grid, govern the grid" - vignelli
"don't be governed by the grid, govern the grid" - vignelli
"don't be governed by the grid, govern the grid" - vignelli
CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE
Organized by the Vignelli Center for Design Studies, Beyond Fashion '23 was a collaboration between Rochester-based fashion designers and RIT's New Media Design sophomores, resulting in the largest student-run fashion show in the area.
Organized by the Vignelli Center for Design Studies, Beyond Fashion '23 was a collaboration between Rochester-based fashion designers and RIT's New Media Design sophomores, resulting in the largest student-run fashion show in the area.
CONCEPT
CONCEPT
CONCEPT
Inspired by Massimo Vignelli's legacy and the event theme, "Beyond the Grid", this project challenges grid-based designs through an interactive exhibit.
Inspired by Massimo Vignelli's legacy and the event theme, "Beyond the Grid", this project challenges grid-based designs through an interactive exhibit.
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Dedicated to Massimo Vignelli's grid-based legacy, our design strategy highlighted core elements and minimalist style to dynamically explore and honor his outstanding influence on design. We emphasized a limited color palette of red, white, and black, the use of grid, and frontal perspective.
Dedicated to Massimo Vignelli's grid-based legacy, our design strategy highlighted core elements and minimalist style to dynamically explore and honor his outstanding influence on design. We emphasized a limited color palette of red, white, and black, the use of grid, and frontal perspective.
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
The installation was developed as a real-time dialogue: by integrating a hidden camera feed, the audience's physical motion directly influenced the graphics, requiring significant spatial and technical planning.
The installation was developed as a real-time dialogue: by integrating a hidden camera feed, the audience's physical motion directly influenced the graphics, requiring significant spatial and technical planning.
DESIGN
DESIGN
DESIGN
The core grid motif and limited color palette unified the three-part exhibit. An animated Vignelli quote set the conceptual tone at the entrance, and highlighted his design philosophy and design style.
The core grid motif and limited color palette unified the three-part exhibit. An animated Vignelli quote set the conceptual tone at the entrance, and highlighted his design philosophy and design style.
The top interactive grid warped based on proximity, occasionally revealing 3D head and hand forms, symbolizing containment and restriction by the grid. The bottom section featured a symmetrical construction as a canvas for a freeform grid, where user motion dynamically altered the speed and trajectory of the projected digital cubes.
The top interactive grid warped based on proximity, occasionally revealing 3D head and hand forms, symbolizing containment and restriction by the grid. The bottom section featured a symmetrical construction as a canvas for a freeform grid, where user motion dynamically altered the speed and trajectory of the projected digital cubes.
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION
Leveraging TouchDesigner for its strength in real-time graphics, we developed a complex system that manipulated the interactive grid and integrated 3D assets based on data captured from a hidden webcam.
Leveraging TouchDesigner for its strength in real-time graphics, we developed a complex system that manipulated the interactive grid and integrated 3D assets based on data captured from a hidden webcam.
RESULTS
RESULTS
RESULTS
The installation garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback, praised for its high level of engagement and thoughtful integration of historical design principles with new media technology.
The installation garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback, praised for its high level of engagement and thoughtful integration of historical design principles with new media technology.
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
This project was a successful translation of a strict, print-based design philosophy into a dynamic, interactive experience, proving that embracing rigorous constraints, such as limited color palette and exhibition space, can paradoxically foster greater creative freedom while also deeply honoring the Vignelli legacy.
This project was a successful translation of a strict, print-based design philosophy into a dynamic, interactive experience, proving that embracing rigorous constraints, such as limited color palette and exhibition space, can paradoxically foster greater creative freedom while also deeply honoring the Vignelli legacy.
CREDITS
CREDITS
CREDITS
RIT New Media Design
RIT New Media Design
RIT New Media Design
Beyond Fashion
Beyond Fashion
Beyond Fashion
Director
Director
Director
Prof. Jason Arena
Prof. Jason Arena
Prof. Jason Arena
Production Manager
Production Manager
Production Manager
Yohermry Kopodo
Yohermry Kopodo
Yohermry Kopodo
Interactive Design
Interactive Design
Interactive Design
Alexa Contreras
Alexa Contreras
Alexa Contreras
Alexis Mildren
Alexis Mildren
Alexis Mildren
3D Animation
3D Animation
3D Animation
Lily Kniseley
Lily Kniseley
2D Animation
2D Animation
2D Animation
Farah Ahamed
Farah Ahamed
Farah Ahamed
explore
Cora
ac
alexa contreras
new media designer
© Alexa Contreras 2026. All Rights Reserved.
explore
Cora
ac
alexa contreras
new media designer
© Alexa Contreras 2026. All Rights Reserved.
explore
Cora
ac
alexa contreras
new media designer
© Alexa Contreras 2026. All Rights Reserved.
explore
Cora
ac
alexa contreras
new media designer
© Alexa Contreras 2026. All Rights Reserved.
explore
Cora
ac
alexa contreras
new media designer
© Alexa Contreras 2026. All Rights Reserved.