Media Consulting & Hybrid Media Applications for Architecture and Temporary Spaces

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thismedia
Media Consulting
& Hybrid Media Applications
for Architecture and Temporary Spaces

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3. About p. 01_02
Profile p. 03_04
Services p. 05_10
Projects p. 11_34
Products p. 35_42
People p. 43_46
Teaching p. 47_48

4. /
about
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Founded in 007 thismedia adds custom media layers to spatial structures. The scope
goes from realtime visualization for events or installations to custom
by John Dekron and Markus Schneider programming of complete integrated media systems for buildings, fa-
thismedia incorporates experience and cades, walls or architectural shapes. Media layers appear temporary,
fixed, inside, outside or between buildings, zones and spaces.
expertise in media for over a decade.
thismedia builds a bridge between designers, artists, architects, pro-
ducers, hardware companies and agencies helping to implement com-
plex media environments. thismedia incorporates profound technical
> knowledge and deep understanding of artistic practice. thismedia de-
velops concepts and delivers customized solutions in close collabora-
tion with other creatives and companies.
We look at media as an integral and essential element of architecture
and spatial design.

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Synchronization of artistic and technologic concepts is an obvious
request in a 24/7 mediatized world. Securing the interplay between
artistic perception and technology in media projects is our expertise -
conceptwise, designwise and in terms of functionality.
We understand our work as essential support for ideas. Therefore we
are focussing on the central functionalities neccessary to accomplish
the requirements of a media concept or a media system. In practise
we are facing the continiously emerging demand to achieve adequate
solutions for the simple handling of a fast growing level of complexity.
The modular software environment we have developed over time
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allows us to work in a scalable, fast and efficient manner. The need
for customized solutions results from the individual level of complexity
and the conceptual focus of a project. This appears the same way in
architectural contexts as it does in the event industry. Its not the size
of a project but the requirements that determine the level of complexity.
profile
Due to the modularity of our approach to solutions, projects remain
flexible at all stages of their development. Customized application
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and system development must incorporate the paradigms of open
interfacing, extensibility and integration ability. This implies integration
of additional functionality as well as integration into larger systems such
Supporting Ideas as facility managment. In addition to the analyzis and implementation
Creating Innovation of functionalities, successful development must correspond to all
aspects of technical realization, maintenance, costs and artistic content
at every step of a project’s development.
>
Accessibility and ease of use for the customer and final user have led
us to our concept of contextualized graphical user interfacing (con-
textual GUI) to achieve the optimum manageability for each addressable
context. In order to support artistic concepts we provide tools that allow
to produce the appropriate content for the final media framework and set
the design specifications based on the according technical conditions.
To guarantee forward-looking technologic development we work in close
collaboration with hardware and technology providers. Bridging these
disciplines we always keep the idea in focus.

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services
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Modular Media Managment Mirroring the underlying concepts of modularity and scalability our services
do follow the same principles.
We offer customized solutions and dedicated application development
for a broad range of diverse media environments making use of our
long-term experience in technology and design. We scale and design
> media solutions in close relation with our clients and partners.
Moreover, our services include the curating and placement of various
digital design formats embedded into systems designed for flexibility,
reliability, easy operation and transparency of costs.

7. 1. Development of Integrated and
Hybrid Media Systems
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System Development
System Integration
Application Programming
Technical Specification
consulting
2. Design & Design Development
Design Development Support
Design Integration
domains
Light Design / Generative Design / Animation Design
Content Development Support , 3D Simulators, Editing Tools
Content Programming
Curating and Placement of Digital Artistic Formats
3. Quality Supervision
Periodical Tracking of Development
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Supervision and Control of Technical Installation
Putting into Operation
4. Evaluation
Proof of Design
Proof of Technology Concepts
&
stages
1. Planning
2. Specification
3. Construction & Realization
4. Program

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thismedia
service
graph
>
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available
upon
request.

9. /
projects
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Architecture
Media & Light Design
Mise-en-scène
Generative
Event
Club
>

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BIX Communicative Display Skin _ Graz
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BIX Media Facade _ realities:united _ 2003
System Control & Computer Vision by John Dekron / thismedia
BIX is a light and media installation for the Kunsthaus Graz in Austria
which transforms the acrylic glass facade of the Kunsthaus in a low
resolution computer display. It is not only one of the biggest (900 m²)
but from an architectural point of view one of the most integrate media
facades.
In cooperation with realities:united, the originators and architects of
the facade, John Dekron developed specialized software that allows
artists to create customized contents. The BixSimulator that had been
realized as well as an editing tool, the BixDirector. Peter Castine
programmed special “max objects” that allow to communicate directly
with the facade out of the Max/Jitter environment.

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Spots Light and Media Facade & Sensor _ Berlin
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SPOTS _ realities:united _ 2005
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System Control & Computer Vision by John Dekron / thismedia
Pics: Bernd Hiepe
For a period of 18 month the media installation SPOTS converted an office
building located at downtown Potsdamer Platz, Berlin, into one of world´s
largest media facades consisting of 1800 conventional fluorescent lights.
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Sensor _ Carsten Nicolai _ Software development by John Dekron
Sensor reflects the movement, density and frequency of an urban region.
For the light and media facade SPOTS, a visualization was sketched by
Carsten Nicolai that constantly regenerates and redesigns itself based on
the parameters supplied by the sensors in the facade. The sensors monitor
Potsdamer Platz, the visitor traffic, and analyze the time of day, brightness,
noise level and noise level over time. They are also capable of receiving
various infrared signals. These parameters determine the interaction of
light gradients to generate a complex picture of light modulations that turn
the facade into a »mirror image« of the city.

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Aamp Hybrid Media Facade _ Singapore
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Aamp _ realities:united _ 2008
System Control & Computer Vision by thismedia
realities:united’s conception proposes the construction of an “Architectural Advertising Amplifier”
(AAmp). A very large scaled matrix of over 540 full color LED light units supplements and
surrounds a given high-end LED screen displaying commercials.
Specialized artistic software by thismedia is used to automatically analyze and transform
the moving images on the commercial LED billboard into an ever changing visual color-echo
displayed on the surrounding low resolution AAmp screen installation in real time.
In this way the low resolution media installation works as a visual amplifier augmenting the
commercial content over the building’s facade and reaching a scale which is relevant to the
architecture as well as to its urban context.

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UEC Media Light Facade _ Singapore
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UEC_ Media Light Facade _ realities:united & thismedia _ 1st Quarter 2009
System Control & Computer Vision by thismedia
The innovative concept of a light- and media façade is designed and engineered
to ensure that the new building stands out both at night and daytime and owns the
visual capacity to become a landmark.
This includes a design, which does not only ensure a strong initial impact, but also
a lasting one. The quality of the effects as well as the potential power and size of
the light and media façade puts the building in a unique position and for some time
to come outside the reach of future competitors which can apply new generations of
LED media screens and other lighting techniques at a fraction of today’s cost.
The innovative façade designed in cooperation with the internationally renowned
specialist architect firm realities:united will be the first of its kind in Singapore.
It features the use of highly effective yet mature material- and lighting technologies.
Instead of an explicit use of cutting edge technologies on small surfaces the entire
façade is a deep-going blend of architecture and media technology and creates an
multi layered effect on an unprecedented scale.

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Audi Forum Beijing _ Hybrid Media Wall
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AF1 _ Hybrid Media Engine _ 2008
The Audi Forum Beijing is equipped with High Definition Plasma Screen
and LED display technology. Moreover it combines both worlds in an
impressive and unique 18 meters long and 2 meters tall Hybrid Media
wall. Six independant Plasma Screens are integrated into a large LED
wall, placed behind rounded dark glass, melted smoothly with the ar-
chitecture. All 6 screens plus the LED wall are running with individual
synchronized content.
The Hybrid Media Wall is driven by a customized software, the AF1
Hybrid Media Engine, developed and programmed for the Audi Forum
by thismedia, Berlin and realized with LED technology provided by SE-
Lightmanagement, Switzerland. The entire System is controlled by a
single Apple MacPro Computer.

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HBO _ Golden Globes _ Los Angeles
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Large scale hybrid projection _ Golden Globes HBO Party _ 2007
Audio frequency controlled realtime video animation by Markus Schneider, thismedia.
A large scale projection by BartKresaDesign and thismedia covered the entire
facade of the Beverly Hilton Hotel, hosting the Golden Globes awards.
For the HBO Golden Globes installation a hybrid analog digital projection was
used. 6kW PANI slide projectors were used for the larger image and 1 video
projector for the inner area of the HBO logo. The video inside the HBO logo
consists of real-time animations of the graphic designs in sync to the music
performed by the DJ.
The software in use was Modul8 by Garagecube, controlled via the Lemur
Multitouch Control Surface by JazzMutant.

16. Organism _ Paris
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Gonzales and N.Pleasure in co-opration with John Dekron proudly
present: 12 hours of Organism!
Organism is the combination of an organ concert and a time based
light show. The light signals are controlled by the sound of the organ
pipes. Different sounds create different light combinations.
„Mis–en–scène“ is the inner space of a gothic cathedral. Gothic ar-
chitecture is determined by the multiple principles of geometry, geo-
mancy and the aesthetical proportions of mathematics and music. The
most powerful instrument of gothic prime had been the organ, imitat-
ing voices and acoustic instruments and furthermore representating
celestial power.
Organism is an addition to our modern perception of reality. Old knowl-
edge as an another possible experience. An abstract „son–et–lumiere“
scenario should rock the ark. Light and sound are both made of waves,
they have similar identities. The statics of gothic churches is also rep-
resenting the principles of a musical instrument. On a common place
light is the relevant factor, transporting and organizing everything.
No light no life

17. Baum_3
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Generative pattern _ created with Processing
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Baum_3 adapts to phenomenons in nature and therefore contains al-
gorythms for live cycles and arbitrary endless variations, though full of
beauty in each of its variation. Numerous cells are affected by different
forces, trying to balance the cells, starting to move and build a simple
organism. The movement of the cells is recorded for every frame and
this way generates the graphic output.

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Flightplans
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Data visualization _ Software project _ Programming by C.Riekoff
Flightplan is a visualization of the worldwide airtraffic. Different flight
schedules are parsed. The found flights are matched onto a virtual
globe dependent on their time. This way it is possible to see relations
between different areas of the world. By showing the amount of air-
traffic in those zones, flightplans also shows the distinctions in their
development. Especially poorer countries do not equally participate in
this global transportation network.
The data used for the visualization contains more than 90.000 flights
a months. To enable realtime movement through time the data is put
into a database for fast access and search. Using optimized graphic
rendering methods the program is able to display more than 30000
flights and airports.

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Lines _ interactive Media Environment for a Hotel Lounge
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Lines is a generative and reactive media environment. The 3D computational design centers
the line as core design element. The line as connection of two points is a simple yet powerful
element that (in this case) allows to create and define space and beauty at the same time.
Lines has two main states, Emerge and Entwine and endless alterations, shifts and transi-
tions between the states. Besides the shifts of state, there are shifts of color, shift of focus
and shift over time. The generative nature of the design extends the architectural context
with a new medial and spatial layer.
Lines will change its focus within the color range over the day. Each period of the day is
connected to a colortheme with a main color and corresponding colors that generate a more
vivid image. This particular shift over time is expanded over the cycle of a single day, a
week, a month and finally seasonally depending over the year.
Interplay _ Lines incorporates a level of intelligent activity. Lines tracks the activity level of the
installation area and adjusts itself to it. Following the idea of supporting visual and spatial expe-
rience the design will change according to the amount of sound produced by the guests.

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Tree _ CTM Berlin _ Sonar Barcelona
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Data visualization _ Software project _ Programming by C.Riekoff
Tree accesses the source code of a web domain through it’s url
and transforms the syntactic structure of the website into a tree
structure represented by an image.
Parallel to the graphic conversion, a permutation of the source code
into MIDI data is generated analogous to the evolving trees, their
branches and ramifications. Any MIDI compatible hard- or software
can be triggered by these MIDI data. The structure of any url can
be visualized and transformed into sound.
The aesthetic is not arbitrary or accidental, rather each url/domain
determines the variation of trees in form and color. Tree is a trans-
lation program. The simulation of real space by software as a start-
ing point and basic question characterizes the search for an algo-
rithm (design specification) which illustrates a real tree.
Tree interprets each html page as a design specification; the html
space determines the algorithm and generates the visual world of
the translation beyond simulation.

21. VJ_Terminal
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thismedia products customized
VJ Terminal is targeted right at the club scene. Be a VJ for a night - who
hasn’t dreamt about that? With the VJ Tool, developed by >avantgarde<,
>lieblinxNET< and John Dekron, everybody can control and design the
visuals. From a pool of backgrounds, special effects and animations, the
audience can mix up their own personal video clip. The new mix is added
to a playlist and broadcasted during the night on monitors and screens in
the club. The software makes the mixes and effects play to the rhythm of
the music automatically.
John Dekron: “In order to accomodate the visuals to the sound every time
the clip is replayed, we couldn’t just record a quicktime movie and play it.
The computer is running two applications at a time, each one bound to it’s
dedicated cpu. The actions of the user producing a new mix are recorded
in kind of a track recorder and later on, when the track is to be replayed the
second app produces a new mix that again responds to the sound at the
moment. In cooperation with >das werk< we found an appropriate video
format that uses an alpha channel to blend the video sources and at the
same time is useful for live video processing.

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applications
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We develop our applications in order to precisely match the particular
Customized Architectural Applications functionalities and specifics of a project or simply due to the lack of
3D Simulators and Editors appropriate solutions on the market.
Light and Media Facade Control The scope of our application portfolio is as broad and as diverse as the
Hybrid Media Control Systems range of the designed spaces and their individual requirements.
Our applications are designed to fullfill technical requirements and to
& Artistic Software Tools support the overall artistic concept. Reliability, efficiency, extensibility,
ES-X _ Video Live Performance performance and ease of use are the core values of our programming
philosophy.
Musketeer _ HD/VJ Multiscreen
Softmix _ HD Mixer These customized applications are used within our projects and various
projects of our clients. Our modular application portfolio allows fast
development and felxible implementation.
>

23. 3D Simulation and Editing
Light and Media Facade Control
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The complexity of an dynamic architectural media project such as a light facade
requires the development of seperate application environments to ensure best
possible execution technically and aesthetically.
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Appropriate Content Production for a non-standard media surface.
3D Simulation A Simulator allows the previewing visualization of a particular
architectural context at any stage of the project. First to evaluate the project
concept and second to develop the appropriate design content.
Editing The Editor functions allow to flexibly arrange and place the final designs
where they become most visible and effective.
Output Rendering With the ability to seperately render the 3D preview as
Video file and the final composition as Playback file the application delivers
highly customized elements in a user friendly manner.
2
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Control System for exact triggering and smooth content playback.
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Configuration Software for accurate pixel setup and parametric filtering.

24. ES-X
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ES-X _ Video Live Performance Tool for Mac OS X and Windows XP
The ES-X video performance software is being developed since 1999
by John Dekron and Michael Brux (Videokonferenz). The experiences
from countless appearances in most diverse contexts introduce
usability and flexibility, paired with simplest handling. Performances
in clubs and discotheques, at large venues, in the opera, with classical
music as well as jazz up to high profile application areas for customers
like T-Com, Cebit or German Dance Awards display the broad spectrum,
which occupy the versatility of this tool.
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ES-X is an intentionally simple yet powerful instrument for live improvisation
with video material - both clips and live video input. “Live” means that
is not necessary to precompose material or setups that will be fixed
throughout a show. “Improvisation” means that you may use your intuition
to alter your output in whatever way you feel.
/
Screenshot of ES-X, Version 1.2

25. Musketeer
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Musketeer _ Multiscreen Video Performance Software
The Musketeer software allows to playback multiscreen videos as well as
to perform live VJ visuals.
Since precomposed widescreen content is extremely time and resource
intensive to produce it is in some situations desireable to have the ability to
switch to live visuals by the press of a button.
Musketeer can do this: play back precomposed multiscreen material from a
playlist AND perform live visuals on each of the attached screens.
(based on ES-X VJ Tool)
The software was conceived for Formula One side events in Middle East.
In Bahrain, Dubai and Beirut a single Apple G5 Quad computer served 7
output screens at a time.
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Musketeer used to output up to 7 screens

26. Softmix
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Softmix _ HD Video Mixing Software
Softmix allows to playback and mix video material at any native resolution.
Extreme resolutions like 3840x1024 pixels can be used to output onto 3
screens or projectors just from a single laptop.
Softmix is a small yet efficient application when it comes down to deal with
all sorts of source material made for the most (un)typical resolutions of pro-
jectors, lcd and plasma displays.
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No need to hire or buy expensive hardware hd players.
No hardware limitations. Full flexibility and instant set up.
Softmix runs on Mac OS X
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Screenshot of Softmix, Version 1.1

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people
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We founded thismedia as a collective platform to collaborate on our
vision for structuring space with media. We enjoy working in a small
John Dekron team of exceptionally talented people, able to respond quickly to every
Markus Schneider new challenge.
Christian Riekoff - Computational Design
Erik Levander - Parametric Architecture
Christopher Warnow - Design & Data Programming
>

28. Markus Schneider [Founder & CEO]
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Company Vision and Development
Christian Riekoff Markus Schneider worked as consultant and curator for institutions,
media companies and projects, bridging culture and technology. In
1992 he founded Lukas & Hoffmann Gallery in Berlin together with
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Nicolaus Schafhausen. Works of the represented artists, e.g. Kai
Computational design
Althoff, Olafur Eliasson or Carsten Höller, to name a few, can be
found in notable museums and private collections.
Christian Riekoff is a TU Berlin trained computer scientist. He is media
artist, computational designer and programmer of applications and
Various collaborative works including Video Installations (with Pietro
systems for realtime interactive environments.
Sanguineti), Audio/Visual Performances (with John Dekron), Media
Exhibition Systems (with Visomat Inc.) and Realtime Generative Pro-
His work has been introduced and presented at festivals and
cesses (with Christan Riekoff as RISC) were presented in galleries,
conferences, such as Clubtransmediale, Berlin, the Synch Festival,
museums and festivals such as CTM/Transmediale, Berlin or SONAR,
Athen or the Sonar Festival in Barcelona. Past projects have covered
Barcelona.
an extensive variety of concurrent phenomenons and subjects such
as data-visualization, interactive media installations, individual online
As freelancer he worked for companies such as Roland Japan and
media editing (VIVA Clipcreator) and interfacing. An example of the
Germany and most recently as Corporate Partnership Manager for the
dense complexity of his work and his qualifications can be found in an
french company JazzMutant, producer of the world’s first multi-touch
interactive 360° realtime projection for the Lufthansa training center,
controller interfaces.
visualizing the wordlwide air traffic.
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Christian Riekoff published several libraries for Processing, a universal
John Dekron [Founder & CTO]
media programming environment. Besides holding workshops for
computational design at the HFG Karlsruhe and the IUAV Venice, he
is currently teaching at the University of Arts, UDK, Berlin. /
Technology and Software Development
Erik Levander John Dekron is trained physicist, mathematician and developer of
customized video applications for media environments. His work and
long-term media experience cover a broad spectrum: from media for
/
architecture and video installations to custom setups and individual
Parametric Architecture
programming for clubs, artists and visual concepts for internationally
operating companies and high-profile events.
Past projects include performances in Germany, Europe and South
America, programming of the BIX media facade in Graz, Austria, the
SPOTS media facade in Berlin, works for musician Gonzales, the artist
Carsten Nicolai plus multi-screen software development for Formula
One side events in the Middle East. John Dekron is programmer and
developer of the Softmix HD Video-Mixing and ES-X crossplatform VJ
performance software. Amongst others, he gave lectures and workshops
on realtime video processing & performing at Merz Akademie,
Stuttgart and the HBG, Leipzig.

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teaching
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learning media
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It is our aim to motivate nowadays students to take a closer look at
media and to generate deeper awareness and understanding of the
complexity and ubiquitous presence and impact of media in our daily
> world.
The continous shift of the reception, organization and composition of
spaces will be closely affected by media and therefore working with
students is an essential contribution to layout our media future.
Speeches _ Lectures & Workshops @
Royal Danish Academy, Copenhagen
Universität der Künste _ UDK, Berlin
Merz Akademie, Stuttgart
Hochschule für Gestaltung und Buchdruck _ HGB, Leipzig
China Academy of Fine Arts _ CAFA, Beijing
Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology /
New Medium Research Center _ BIFT , Beijing
Suzhou Art and Design Institute of Technology _ SADTI, Suzhou

30. Clients
Please contact us
for our client list.
Partner
Please contact us
for our partner list.
/
this
> thismedia HQ
Falckensteinstrasse 48
10997 Berlin
Germany
Phone +49 30 206 466 54
Fax +49 30 206 466 39
Mobile 1 +49 177 888 4747 DE
Mobile 2 +86 13439714138 CN
information@thismedia.com
http://www.thismedia.com

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