Canvas of Light & Shadow: Projection mapping in Touchdesigner

In this one-day, hands-on workshop, participants will learn the foundational principles and workflows of architectural projection mapping using TouchDesigner and one projector. We’ll begin with a look at the history of projection mapping and iconic works, then dive straight into real-time compositing, warping, and masking inside TouchDesigner. Attendees will set up a single projector in the space, aligning content onto several selected surfaces. Each participant will design and create a short projection-mapped piece, gaining a solid understanding of how to prototype quickly using TouchDesigner’s node-based environment.

• Artists, designers, and technologists who want to explore large-scale projected visuals
• Motion designers aiming to learn how to map their work onto real surfaces
• Anyone with basic 2D/3D or video editing experience looking to understand real-time, node-based workflows

Basic familiarity with digital content creation or node-based software is helpful but not mandatory.

• Laptop (Windows OS strongly recommended for full TouchDesigner features; Mac OS is still possible)
• TouchDesigner (latest free or commercial license installed)
• Single Projector (provided on-site, but feel free to bring your own)
• Mouse with 3 buttons (with scroll wheel for easier node navigation)
• (Optional) External storage for large media files
• (Optional) Pre-created video files and Touchdesigner networks welcome.
  

10:00 – 10:15

Welcome and Introductions

• Overview of workshop goals

• Quick survey of participant project interests

10:15 – 11:15

History & Influential Projects

• Discussion of notable architectural projection works

• Understanding the interplay of architecture, light, and storytelling

11:15 – 12:15

Environment Setup & Demonstrations

• Installing / configuring TouchDesigner

• Node basics: operators, connectors, real-time workflow

• Connecting the single projector to your workstation

• Basic projector alignment in the workshop space

12:15 – 12:30

Break

12:30 – 1:30

Hands-On: Masking & Warping

• Setting up a simple scene in TouchDesigner

• Warping content to match the architecture or target surface

• Creating masks for any obstructing elements

1:30 – 2:30

Motion Graphics & Real-Time Generation

• Building layered visuals using TOPs (Texture Operators)

• Animations and parameter control in TouchDesigner

• Incorporating short video loops or generative elements

2:30 – 2:45

Break

2:45 – 3:45

Project Work Time

• Participants create a short projection-mapped piece

• Fine-tuning projector alignment and warping

• Troubleshooting issues (scale, keystone, brightness)

3:45 – 4:00

Showcase & Closing

• Group viewing of final mapped projects

• Q&A, next steps, and advanced learning resources

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Set up a single-projector mapping scenario using TouchDesigner
• Create or repurpose visuals for real-time projection onto a physical surface
• Mask and warp content to match unique architectural or shaped surfaces
• Troubleshoot common projection alignment issues
• Take away a fully functioning prototype for future refinement

Note: This single-projector workshop emphasizes hands-on practice, enabling each participant to connect, align, and map a projection within the workshop environment. For more advanced setups (multiple projectors, large-scale venues, edge blending), participants can explore TouchDesigner’s extended toolset after mastering these fundamentals.

Louise Lessél is a Danish New Media Artist and Technical Director based in New York. She creates interactive sculptural artworks using lights and digital projections and designs installations and scenography for the experiential and live performance industry.

Over the last decade she has focused intensely on the creation of large scale public installations and live tracked and interactive theater and music visuals in collaboration with other visual artists, agencies, and culture makers - she has spoken SXSW, presented a project with CERN, and had artworks in major Light Art Festivals across the world, as well as created shows for philharmonics and major concert artists alike.

Her work can be seen in interactive projects for companies like Rockwell Lab, DE-YAN, FrontierDigital, Candystations, ZeroSpace, James Clar Studio, Future Media Lab, for clientele like Disney, Amazon Studios, Snap Inc., and Superblue.

Louise is one-half of the artist duo uberørt, that creates bespoke interactive visual experiences for musicians, and she is an adjunct professor teaching architectural projection mapping at New York University.

For walking directions from the gate to the workshop venue, click here.

Image of projections are from previous class in the Navy Yard.

Also check out other Arts events in Brooklyn, Workshops in Brooklyn, Music events in Brooklyn.