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.
For more workshops like this, visit NYU Tandon @ The Yard's 2025 Summer Workshops page.
Who is this for
- 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.
Materials
- 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)
- HDMI Dongle, if your computer doesn't have an HDMI out
- 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.
Workshop Schedule, Saturday, June 7 · 10am - 5pm EDT
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 TouchDesigner; Node basics: operators, connectors, real-time workflow
Connecting the single projector to your workstation; Setting up your workshop mapping space; Projector alignment
12:15 – 12:30
Morning 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;
Stoner and KantanMapper
1:30 – 2:15
Lunch Break
2:15 – 3:15
Motion Graphics & Real-Time Generation
Building layered visuals using TOPs (Texture Operators); Incorporating short video loops or generative elements
Animations and parameter control in TouchDesigner (re-usable tool building)
KantanMapper and CamSchnappr
3:15 – 3:30
Afternoon Break
3:30 – 4:30
Project Work Time
Participants create a short projection-mapped piece
Fine-tuning projector alignment and warping; Troubleshooting issues (scale, keystone, brightness)
4:30 – 5:00
Showcase & Closing
Group viewing of final mapped projects
Q&A, next steps, and advanced learning resources
Outcomes
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 architectural or shaped surfaces using Touchdesigners many tools
- 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.
This workshop is in-person.
Presenter
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.
Location
For walking directions from the gate to the workshop venue, click here.