Motion Playground Installation Shows How Far Motion Design Has Come Since Pong

How far have we come from those early days of video games, when Atari made us fall in love with “Pong”? A new interactive installation, created by agency Biborg, takes a look at just that, demonstrating the evolution of motion design.

“Motion Playground” begins with Nolan Bushnell's legendary game projected onto a big screen. Users can play against each another, using Kinect technology to control the ball – a whole new twist on the classic arcade game.

Through the succession of 7 universes, each designed by a different artist, the installation highlights a new animation technique, demonstrating the progression of motion design over time. 

Visitors can explore each universe, using their bodies to interact with the screen and the animation.

- "Flat Motion" looks at basic forms and solid colors, visual codes of motion design

- "80's" - neon colors and sparkles abound in a demonstration of the depth 3D offers

- "Fourrure" - physical simulation shows how a ball reacts with a shaggy surface

- "Stop Motion" creates an animation through a succession of photos, illustrating the

technology’s aesthetics

- "Anim' Traditionnelle" uses classic animation techniques to show how visitors can use their hands to create arcs and explosions onscreen

- "Destruction"- a modern 3D video game universe

An interactive experience that takes both players and on-lookers on a voyage through time and technology, pong style.

The installation was a part of Motion Motion, a motion graphics festival in Nantes this past month.