What Exactly Is Projection Mapping? | The Joseph Moyer Project

Let’s get something out of the way: projection mapping is not just “projecting images on a wall.” That’s called a PowerPoint. This is more like digital origami with light.

You take a 3D object—like a building, sculpture, or dessert—and wrap it in motion graphics that fit it perfectly. The result? Something that feels a little like special effects… but in real life, and without needing a Marvel-sized budget.

Whether you’ve seen a giant cathedral shimmer like stained glass, or a pop concert where the stage folds into impossible shapes—chances are, you’ve seen projection mapping in action.

How Does It Work?

Think of it like tailoring a suit—except the suit is made of moving light, and the mannequin might be a wedding cake or a warehouse wall.

Here’s the short version:

Measure or scan the object you’re mapping onto.
Design visuals that match the object's shape, edges, and angles.
Warp and align the visuals using software so they land exactly where they’re supposed to.
Project it all using a high-lumen projector (translation: it needs to be bright enough to outshine your uncle’s iPhone flashlight).

It’s part technical wizardry, part digital puppetry, and part trial-and-error with snacks. The projector becomes a brush, the surface becomes the canvas, and the illusion becomes… kind of magical.

What Can You Do With It?

Good question. That’s where things get interesting.

Weddings: Imagine a cake that glows, sparkles, or tells your love story in animated scenes. It’s less messy than fireworks and a lot harder to forget.
Events & Installations: Map an entire building for a block party. Animate a sculpture in a gallery. Turn a boring product booth into something people actually want to photograph.
Theater & Performance: Set changes without lifting a finger. Environments that shift in real time with the emotion of a scene.
Retail & Interior Design: Mood lighting that’s dynamic. Product displays that literally come to life.
Home DIY: Rare, but technically possible. If you’ve got a projector and a wall, you could be mapping right now.

Why I’m Picky About Projects

There’s no “template” for projection mapping. Every project is built from the ground up. So when I take something on, I want it to be worth the time, energy, and loss of sleep.

I’m especially interested in:

Weddings with character (especially those where the cake is the star for five glorious minutes)
Events that want a true “wow” moment—not just a slideshow
Small-scale experimental installations where art meets tech meets curiosity

If you’re just looking for a rented projector and someone to press play—that’s not me. But if you’re dreaming up something unusual, immersive, or just a little weird (in a good way), I’d love to hear about it.

A Quick Detour Into Inspiration

What inspires me? People. Stories. Everyday moments.

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea that everyone has a story. Even the person you sit next to on a train for five minutes—they’ve got decades of backstory, heartbreaks, victories, routines, and dreams you’ll never know about.

That invisible richness—that’s what I try to tap into, whether I’m building a visual moment or capturing a quiet scene on camera.

I don’t create to explain things. I create to slow them down—so we can actually notice them.

Want to Try Projection Mapping?

It’s more accessible than you think.
For larger projects, you’ll want someone who knows what they’re doing (hi 👋).
Most people don’t know it’s even an option. That’s why I do it.

If you’re planning something and want it to stand out, consider projection mapping. It doesn’t just decorate a space—it transforms it.

Let’s Talk

If you're curious, reach out. I might not take every project—but if it’s got the right mix of creative spark, storytelling potential, and technical challenge, I’m all in.