28 May 2010

Balloon camera more than just hot air

Graduating students may one day be able to enjoy a birds-eye view of their big day, thanks to an innovative camera designed by a member of the University of Dundee's Class of 2010.

Unique shots of birthday parties, weddings, christenings, and all other social occasions taken from heights of up to 20 metres are possible thanks to the 'Aerial Capture' camera designed by Matthew Clark, who is about to graduate with a degree in Product Design from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, part of the University.

Matthew, originally from Arbroath, explained that Aerial Capture works thanks to a 3-foot balloon built into the retro-styled camera, which is tethered to the user. The balloon is filled with helium and released into the air, taking the camera with it as it moves skywards. A hand-held device similar to a kite reel means the photographer can keep hold of the camera.

The product has been designed with simplicity of use in mind, and requires only for the user to flick a switch when the camera is in position to take a photo. The result is unique, unusual pictures that contrast to the usual posed pictures taken at most celebratory events. The device is one of the near-300 exhibits which will be displayed at the Dundee Degree Show 2010 until Sunday.

The 20-year-old said he was inspired to create a product that little bit different after research gave him an insight into how continuous technological advancements in digital cameras are making everyday photography easy and homogenous.

'The reasoning behind the concept is that my research showed digital photography is becoming dull and boring, and is slowly taking the fun and magic away.' he said.

'Everyone's photos are beginning to look the same due to various technological advancements. I have challenged this and have tried to reintroduce the fun element to photography while also capturing unique images in a completely unusual way.

'My project has been based on photography since the start of my final year and this is what led me to design and make the camera. It is capable of taking aerial photographs at a maximum height of 20 metres and the 3-foot balloon can carry a camera up to 408 grams in weight.

'When testing the product with users, what I found was how amazed everyone was about the size of the balloon, this seems to draw people into the project immediately. They also said how easy and satisfying it was to use.'

The product has been designed for one off events, special family occasions, festivals and ceremonies where the camera could be used. The users could see the potential of using it for other events like weddings, parties etc and were amazed by the unique results that they had produced.'

Being fun, unique and simple, the lo-fi outcomes means that hundreds of striking photos can be taken and stored on the internal memory which can be easily accessed from the USB cable.

After the Degree Show, Matthew will be showing the robust, vividly coloured aerial camera at the prestigious New Designers exhibition in London later this year. After that, he hopes to make the transition from academia to industry and find a job with a company in London.

Notes to editors:

Dundee Degree Show
22nd - 30th May 2010 (Preview May 21st)
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design
University of Dundee
13 Perth Road
Dundee DD1 4HT
T 01382 385330
E exhibitions@dundee.ac.uk
www.dundee.ac.uk/djcad/degreeshow/

Exhibition open:
Saturday, May 22nd (10am-4pm)
Sunday, May 23rd (10am-4pm)
Monday, May 24th (10am-8pm)
Tuesday, May 25th (10am-8pm)
Wednesday, May 26th (10am-8pm)
Thursday, May 27th (10am-8pm)
Friday, May 28th (10am-8pm)
Saturday, May 29nd (10am-4pm)
Sunday, May 30th (10am-4pm)

Graduate work on display:
Animation
Art, Philosophy & Contemporary Practices
Fine Art
Graphic Design
Illustration
Interior Environmental Design
Interactive Media Design
Jewellery & Metal Design
Product Design
Textile Design
Time Based Art & Digital Film

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277