"San Diego 2100": AI Projector Installation

"The Story Behind San Diego 2100" - Project Video Link

Overview:

As part of the Democratizing Design initiative led by UC San Diego Design Lab, I conceptualized and created "San Diego 2100," an AI-powered projector installation for the World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 Conference. The installation aimed to visualize a future where design is democratized, leveraging emerging AI technologies to inspire and facilitate community ideation on shaping the city’s future.

Challenges & Objectives:

• Visualizing a Democratic Design Future: Create engaging visuals that embody a potential future for San Diego, reflecting sustainable, accessible, and community-driven design principles.

• Inspiring Ideation: Provide background visuals for a workshop to stimulate discussion and creative problem-solving among diverse participants.

• Technical Integration: Seamlessly integrate AI-generated content with projector technology for a compelling real-world experience.

Approach & Contributions:

• Data Collection: Gathered point-of-view (POV) footage around San Diego to capture the city’s essence and potential.
  
  

  

  
  

• AI-Driven Visualization: Utilized Runway’s AI tools to transform raw footage into a 10-minute, futuristic video. I crafted specific prompts—emphasizing natural landscapes, urban integration, and bold futuristic elements—to steer the AI toward creating visions of San Diego in 2100.
  
  
  

  

• Collaboration: Partnered with co-founder Christopher Erpelding on the technical setup, ensuring optimal projection quality and seamless display of the AI-generated visuals.
  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

• Design Impact: Collaborated closely with the Democratizing Design team to align visuals with workshop goals, enhancing the participants' understanding of a democratized design future.
  
  

Outcomes:

• Engagement: The "San Diego 2100" installation debuted to enthusiastic reception, moving viewers with its immersive portrayal of a possible future cityscape.

• Validation & Recognition: Notably, Don Norman—pioneering figure in UX/UI design—visited the installation, affirming the impact and innovation of the AI-driven approach.

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

• Facilitating Ideation: The visuals served as a catalyst during workshops, helping participants envision and ideate on how democratized design could transform the region.

• Inspiration for Future Work: The project demonstrated how AI can be integrated into experiential design to not only visualize but also actively shape perceptions of future possibilities.

Reflection:

The "San Diego 2100" project was a profound opportunity to merge AI technology with human-centered design thinking. It showcased how emerging technologies, when thoughtfully applied, can democratize the creative process and inspire communities.

This experience reaffirmed the power of AI-driven visuals in shaping narratives about the future, providing a template for future collaborations that blend technical innovation with impactful design storytelling.