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Up Up and Away - a three part interactive visual experience

On sight you will see a joyous kaleidoscopic scene of hot air balloons in flight. As you draw closer you will discover that the hot air balloons are made of inspirational and uplifting phrases on the theme of imaginative playfulness and unity. And thirdly, using Augmented Reality (AR) you will be able to see the banner come to life right in front of your eyes, enabling you to see the text and wonder of each balloon in full flight up close.


 
 

Initial animated AR content seen when you point your camera toward the banner. Two animations will be available to view from two perspectives.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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What’s it all about

Stage 1

The first thing you’ll notice is a flock of cheerful hot air balloons. They are colourful, flying and optimistic. The colours blended together offer a metaphor of a diverse and cosmopolitan Manchester.

Hot air balloons offer a sense of hope, elevation and an image of positive escapism which the Printworks provide through play, dining, exercise and film, each space can help transport us to a new world and enable us to put everyday stresses behind us.

Difficult times continue for many with bad news ever-present. However, a global movement of togetherness has been a silver lining and imaginative escapism when shared, can allow magical things to happen. Relationships and communities can deepen through the shared experiences of play, good food, entertainment and laughter. There’s no magic in a cinema without an audience or fun without the players.

Stage 2

These above sentiments are realised with words, which brings us to the second part of the design. I have compiled and written a number of texts which speak to all ages. ‘Dream a little dream’ is a snippet of the still popular song by Doris Day from 1931, whereas the phrase ‘We’re off to the moon and back again’ has echo’s of the popular children’s book Guess how much I love You, where Little Nutbrown Hare is told he is loved ‘to the moon and back’. For those in between ‘It’s time to touch the Sky’ has the feel-good vibes of Kanye West. Whether you recognise the links or not, there’ll be a sentiment that resonates with everyone.

The number and variety of phrases intentionally offers a playful, puzzle like experience, as you try to make out the different sets of words. Some are easier than others. This will evoke a game like interest in those who have time to dwell, either sat in bars looking out, or waiting for friends outside the cinema.

Stage 3

And finally, for a wow factor, hold your phone camera towards the banner, and with help of a free app the artwork will come to life in animated form, gently flying towards you. This further enhances the theme of positive escapism and invites the spectator to enter into a new world of possibilities.

On a practical level, the artwork can be enjoyed from either entrance with different quotes to be enjoyed from either angle, and as such the app will also offer two varied animations.

Suggested quotes so far include:

  1. Let’s take this ride together

  2. Dream a little dream

  3. Up Up & away

  4. Lift your eyes to the skies

  5. The best kind of magic is shared

  6. It’s time to touch the sky

  7. We’re off to the moon and back again

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Flat scalable vector artwork to any size to the correct aspect ratio, corner illustrated by the vertical line.

 
 
 
 
 

Additional Ideas

  1. Make a real Hot Air Balloon for the opening and offer flights.

  2. Make a suspended Hot Air Balloon Basket Photo Booth.

  3. Serve flame grilled food from a basket inside.

  4. Let off/give away hundreds of custom printed helium balloons.

Illustrative mock up of a hot air balloon over Manchester

 
 
 

About Micah

Micah’s work is designed to bring the humanities to commercial spaces. He is fascinated by how art and optimistic language can change how people feel about themselves. He is intent on using laymen’s speak to make his work as accessible to all ages demographics and nationalities, in public settings.

Micah’s work has appeared on billboards, giant digital screens on skyscrapers and most notably his work on togetherness displayed throughout the Euros at Wembley Park, creating unifying and engaging spaces for all to enjoy.

Much of Micah’s work is centred around the phrase You Are Enough and the powerful aid of unity. His style is striking and colourful and brings a sense of hope for all who come across it. Micah Purnell is an award winning freelance graphic designer, artist, curator and author from Manchester, England. In all his projects he uses Design Thinking to find new ways to create “AHHH” moments which always bring positive, memorable experiences.

He has worked with a variety of national and global clients including the NHS, The Guardian, Wembley Stadium, Tearfund and Elbow, not to mention his four children, who get him running around designing logos for their various enterprises.

As well as appearing in countless exhibitions over the last 25 years (including public group shows alongside Turner Prize Winner Douglas Gordon and global street artist JR), Micah has curated and exhibited leading international artists and designers alongside local and upcoming illustrators on his two outdoor billboard galleries in Manchester (Ancoats and Oxford Rd) over the last ten years at via www.addart.gallery

His work has appeared in The Guardian, Getty Images and the BBC. He has been lucky enough to speak from the People’s History Museum in Manchester, all the way to New York.

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