Behind scenes – Windows to the World

A brief story of the effort behind Windows to the World project

As you know, we came with the idea to do something for the windows of Kauppahalli in Joensuu sometime in spring 2015. If you see the windows in the current state, they are really boring. We wanted to do something interactive with them for the people in the city.

View to Kauppahalli Windows
View to Kauppahalli Windows in Joensuu, Finland

The city contacted us and we talked with them early November and agree with them to come with the an idea to do something for the windows by March 2016. However to agree on a date means that the challenge just starts. The concept, Windows to the World, emerged until December 2016.

There was not much time to produce something of quality. But it is thank you to an incredible team that this project was possible.

Dings develop almost all the hardware of this project. It was a demanding job, and I do not have real photos behind scenes of this stage. While in Finland we prepare other aspects of needed for the game to function for example:

Measure the windows in freezing temperature

Measuring the windows
Measuring the windows

We make a layout, to be sure of what we wanted, and for this project the measures needed to be precise!

Making a layout out on the windows
Making a layout out on the windows

Analyse the amount of light to be sure the technology will work.

Analysing the amount of light
Analysing the amount of light

On Feb. 23, our partners of joenkilpituote came to put the layout to our windows.

Installing the material surround the window
Installing the material surround the window

Look how GREAT is the result:

Transformation of the windows started
Transformation of the windows started

Then we went to pick up the photos of the exposition, that our partners from Kuvanilma printed.

Picking up the printouts
Picking up the printouts

Finally, on 25th of February, our partner from Germany arrieved and it is time to integrate the technology and do A LOT of tests.

Picking up the printouts
Picking up the printouts

We embellish more the windows adding some black background, and tests continue while we were also setting up the installation. There were several details to take care of (e.g. the music of the exhibit, the sounds of the game, the set-up of the equipment) under really freezing temperatures.

Challenges were constant. For example the second windows was not really working, or challenges at the twilight….ย  but we always look the way to solve the challenge! ๐Ÿ™‚

Testing and installation continue...
Testing and installation continue…

Also play testing was important

Testing gameplay with really special players! :)
Testing gameplay with really special players! ๐Ÿ™‚

Also testing at night….

Night testing
Night testing

An last but not least, leaving all ready for the opening:

Final details
Final details

all in time to have “Windows to the World” ready for our public! ๐Ÿ™‚

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Written by caislas