Giedion/Kircher: New Research Topics
Giedion/Kircher is my vehicle for applying art, music and technology — along with concept and narrative development, information architecture, UX design, etc. — to create brand experiences, immersive environments and various other interactive media solutions for corporate clients, educational institutions and production companies. Sometimes this involves partnering with an agency; sometimes I’m working as a full-service “one-stop shop.”
Discovery + Ideation
Refining objectives and messaging, explore methods for measuring success, and identify how a given engagement fits into larger strategies. Recommending and conducting research to better understand the needs and desires of audiences. From these processes come detailed plans for creating compelling experiences with measurable results.
Systems Engineering
While a great deal of the interactive magic happens in the software realm, many solutions also involve hardware components such as embedded sensors, microcontrollers, networked devices, audio and lighting — as well as integration into scenic elements, staging and architectural environments.
Experience Design
From high-level design concepts down to detailed specifications, imagining visions for audience experiences and create roadmaps for their successful execution. This is often an iterative process, with visualizations at increasing levels of detail — describing information architecture, navigation and interaction paradigms designed to meet well-defined goals.
Event Production
Managing the creation of solutions from initial concept through final delivery — installing and supporting digital solutions and associated infrastructure at venues ranging from museums and trade shows to galleries, festivals and more.
Content Development
From refining existing assets to generating new graphic and motion design, typography treatments, user interface components, dynamic infographics, video, animation, sound design and more — making sure all the essential pieces are in place to convey messages and inform audiences in an engaging manner.
Platforms + Products
Developing and maintaining proprietary platforms and processes to streamline the creation of interactive experiences. Modular architectures and tools facilitate a continuing lifecycle for recurring activations and stand-alone tools to further creative endeavor and optimize communication channels.
In 2024 a primary focus for R&D is the application of theories involving the symbolism and meaning of architectural experiences to further digital/interactive narratives. This is a great excuse to review a few titles in the Library.
I believe that at this point in history we have to think about all digital experiences (and all hybrid experiences, as the “real” world and the “virtual” become increasingly convergent) as movement through three dimensions (plus the temporal dimension). It’s not just about creating “content” but also creating environments that express meaning, enabling journeys through spaces that further narratives. Fortunately, while the technology to create the experiences may be new, we have literally thousands of years of guidance from architects, artists and philosophers on how to proceed effectively.
