Teaching the recent LED pixel mapping workshop at Tech25 in Pittsburgh was an absolute thrill. Over two packed days, we dove deep into the fascinating world of LED pixel mapping, exploring both the technical foundations and the creative possibilities of this innovative field. I want to take a moment to reflect on how rewarding the experience was and to express my gratitude to everyone who made it possible.
Day One: Diving into the Technical Side of LED Pixel Mapping
The workshop kicked off with a day focused on the technical aspects of pixel mapping, where participants got hands-on experience with professional hardware like Advatek, Enttec, and other industry-standard equipment. We covered the essentials of RGB LEDs, addressable LED technology, and how pixel mapping can be used in creative and theatrical lighting setups. MadMapper software was an essential part of our toolkit, and it quickly became the centerpiece of our demonstrations. The participants were eager to learn, and it was amazing to see everyone absorb the detailed breakdown of data transmission, hardware connections, and configurations required to bring these lighting displays to life.
Day Two: Hands-On Creativity and Play
Day two was all about creativity! We shifted from theory to hands-on applications, giving everyone the opportunity to play with MadMapper and experiment with the different types of addressable LEDs we had on hand. The energy in the room was contagious as participants mapped pixels onto everything from LED strips to film lights (Astera Titan Tubes), creating unique light displays that took full advantage of Pittsburgh’s innovative spirit in the world of creative lighting and pixel mapping.
The support of MadMapper was a huge highlight. Thanks to their generous donation of software licenses, every participant had the chance to fully explore the possibilities of this powerful tool. I could see the spark of inspiration in each person as they started to envision their own creative lighting projects using these tools.
Gratitude to Tech25 and MadMapper
I want to extend a huge thank you to Tech25 for hosting and organizing this event. Their space provided the perfect backdrop for our deep dive into Pittsburgh’s growing community of pixel mappers, theatrical lighting professionals, and creative technologists. Their dedication to fostering a creative and technical community in Pittsburgh is something I deeply appreciate.
A special thanks also goes out to MadMapper for their amazing support. By donating licenses to every participant, they made it possible for everyone to not only learn the software but to take their new skills and apply them in their future projects.
Building a Community Around Creative Lighting in Pittsburgh
Workshops like this one help foster a vibrant community of artists, technicians, and creators who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of what can be done with light. Whether it’s Pittsburgh theatrical lighting, addressable LEDs for interactive art installations, or large-scale pixel mapping projects, the future is bright (literally!) for Pittsburgh’s creative lighting scene. It’s clear that the interest in these technologies is only growing, and I’m excited to see what comes next.
I look forward to seeing how Pittsburgh pixel mapping evolves in the future, and I can’t wait to continue teaching and sharing this knowledge with more creators in the city.
Thanks again to everyone involved, and I hope to see many more of you at future workshops and events in the Pittsburgh creative lighting community!
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