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

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Projection Mapping, Interactive Exhibition

beyond the grid

YEAR

Fall 2023

DURATION

4 weeks

TOOLS

Resolume, TouchDesigner

DESIGN 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

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

Inspired by Massimo Vignelli's legacy and the event theme, "Beyond the Grid", this project challenges grid-based designs through an interactive exhibit.

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.

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.

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 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

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

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

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

RIT New Media Design

RIT New Media Design

Beyond Fashion

Beyond Fashion

Director

Director

Prof. Jason Arena

Prof. Jason Arena

Production Manager

Production Manager

Yohermry Kopodo

Yohermry Kopodo

Interactive Design

Interactive Design

Alexa Contreras

Alexa Contreras

Alexis Mildren

Alexis Mildren

3D Animation (C4D)

3D Animation (C4D)

Lily Kniseley

2D Animation (AE)

2D Animation (AE)

Farah Ahamed

Farah Ahamed

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lysbord

ae

alexa contreras

graphic + interactive + experience designer

© Alexa Contreras 2025. All Rights Reserved.

explore

lysbord

ae

alexa contreras

graphic + interactive + experience designer

© Alexa Contreras 2025. All Rights Reserved.

explore

lysbord

ae

alexa contreras

graphic + interactive + experience designer

© Alexa Contreras 2025. All Rights Reserved.

explore

lysbord

ae

alexa contreras

graphic + interactive + experience designer

© Alexa Contreras 2025. All Rights Reserved.

explore

lysbord

ae

alexa contreras

graphic + interactive + experience designer

© Alexa Contreras 2025. All Rights Reserved.