The next level (Event Design)

Event Design, 20071203

Read the whole article here.

"There’s only one place to experience first-hand the future of design and technology from every corner of the globe—Wired magazine’s annual NextFest, which took Los Angeles by storm this Fall. For the second year running, Event Design editors were on the floor, seeking out the hottest, most innovative up-and-coming design solutions and technologies for what has become an annual NextFest recap.

The setup for 2007 was similar to the previous year, with exhibition zones set up for technologies that represented the future of security, education, exploration, play, entertainment, transportation, health, communication, robotics, green, and design.

This year, interactive was the big buzz word, with designers and technology developers seeking out new ways to engage the public. No fewer than four installations on the floor required attendees to interact with technology via their wireless phones—either to play a game or alter and control environments via lighting and text messages.

Presentation screen technologies on display included seamless high-def projection surfaces, and truly three-dimensional, large-scale color LED displays. Green technologies ranged from solar-powered, illuminated window shades to a completely eco-friendly house built right on the show floor.

And that’s just a taste of the innovations on display at Wired’s annual design and technology expo. Read on and dig a little deeper into 20 things you missed at this year’s NextFest. Plug. In."