Measurements for the installation:



The perspex is going to be framed by white timbre, attached onto the perspex with screws through
the four drilled holes in the corners, this will allow me to hide the cables from the front viewers
perspective. The switches will also be down the left hand side of the frame with small labels
so you are able to push them and see where specific languages are spoken. The frame will also
be about 30cm deep so it is able to be free standing and not attached to the wall. This will all
need to be tested once the perspex has been cut to size. This will work as a standing installation
but the main concept will come through in the film of it where there will be a music track which
is being composed specially for this piece.


I am going to be using a mixture of regular and LED bulbs to hang behind the countries.
Some of the countries, even when scaled to the fit the piece, are still too small to fit a regular
bulb and its fitting neatly behind it. LED lights are much smaller and are able to be placed
directly behind the smaller countries.

There are also more cables than switches as some countries such as Switzerland will be wired
to both France and Germany on the same switch as it does not have a main native language.

Collecting light bulbs

As some countries are much smaller than others and will probably be about the same size as the hanging bulb itself, I experimented with making the boarders 3D out of folded paper coming off the perspex rather than a painted black outline. This will not only contain and help direct the light to the specific country but also keep the cable hanging straight and in place through the whole in the card.
Below are some photos of a test I did with a circle, just to see how the light looked against a white and black wall.

Against a black wall







Against a white wall

I prefer the white wall as you are able to see the overflowing of the light but there is still a highly concentrated area and the white paper illuminates to highlight the boarder.

I will wire the installation so there will be a row of switches down the right hand side of the frame, each linking to a lightbulb. The lights will be able to be illuminated one by one as well as a group together, for example when the language Slovak is highlighted the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia will all be illuminated by their bulbs as the language is spoken in all four countries.

Cable hanging options

Test sequence animations
A storyboard sequence of the light coming on and fading off as each music beat comes in, until the screen goes black and then the sequence is played in full. Either the countries will flash, or come on all at once together.


Storyboard from Emily Forbes on Vimeo.



black and white map from Emily Forbes on Vimeo.

The option of using coloured lights.

coloured europe map from Emily Forbes on Vimeo.

Where the main 32 languages are spoken


named map 2 from Emily Forbes on Vimeo.

Map illustration
Countries in Europe







Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus,
Belgium, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovnia
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta
Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania
Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City

Original storyboard and concept

FMP Pro Forma
Email: Emily_forbes@hotmail.com


1.Project Summary (One concise paragraph only)

I am making two films on a linking theme. The first film will demonstrate the productive outcome that takes place when we are able to communicate in a multilingual society. This will be shown through a light installation where each hanging bulb represents a spoken language. The film will reflect Europe's linguistic diversity and what happens when different cultures come together and create. The second film will show the detailed making of the installation demonstrating the theme that when people with different skilled backgrounds work together, they are able to create a more significant piece than when they work alone. The piece will be as a result of being ‘multilingual’ within design.

2. Context (Background)

With its 23 official languages, the European Union has as its motto "United in Diversity". The languages we speak help us to define who we are and a multilingual society is fundamental if Europeans are to work and live together. If individuals are able to communicate with a larger, more diverse group, that is when the best kind of creativity and innovation can take place. This same approach can be taken in design productivity.

3. Rationale (Why the project is relevant to you and to GDComm practice)

Language is at the heart of the creative process.
Design is practised all over the world and being able to communicate with other nationalities allows us to open our minds outside our natural environment and bring communities together. This project will allow me to not only explore the topic of communication on a large scale but also by using visual design I can communicate key concepts to others. As a designer I am constantly interacting with other skilled creatives to reach my full potential with each project.

4. Skills Evidence: (describe your approach to the following)

Topicality and future projection potential

Linguistic diversity covers not only the official languages of the Union but also the many regional and minority languages spoken by segments of its population. In addition, a wide variety of languages from other parts of the world are spoken by immigrant communities in EU countries. This is very topical as in the modern day travel is becoming easier and more frequent, spreading language and ideas faster than before.

Intellectual rigour and debate

Europe’s increasing multilingualism might be seen to be a potential threat but could also be seen as a creative opportunity.

Focus of research and analysis

My research will focus on the 32 main languages spoken in Europe, looking at where the languages are spoken. Languages cannot be contained, they over spill into surrounding borders, I will be looking into a way to visually demonstrate this.

Practical skills involved

Filming, electrical wiring, construction, music composition, music synching, editing and art directing.

Sustainability and Content of project (over as a double unit)

I not only have to create two films but also have to construct the whole installation and learn new skills from scratch.

Projection of professional or further research ambitions

I hope to have a career in film production and will pursue this after my time at Chelsea. Having gained some experience with production companies it is the area where I would like my career to develop. This project will allow me to add to my show reel and develop my skills in producing moving image work.

Elements of risk and challenge (originality and direction against the status quo)

Having had no experience in building a light installation it will be a huge challenge in itself and there is a risk that it may not work.

Predicted outcomes

To create a light installation later edited to a composed music track where lights will illuminate countries, each country will be given an individual sound. This will show that when countries work together, and the sounds come together, a new and electrifying sequence is created which would not have been possible alone. The film will embody the concept that creativity and innovation come when individuals can work together: beats, like people, work best when they combine.

Manufacturing and production issues

There are many technical issues involved in the construction of the light piece. For example making sure the electrics safe, working correctly and that the cables are hidden within the frame. I will have to create each electric circuit by hand so that individual lights may be turned on and off to appear alone or together as a whole. I will also make sure the installation can work and stand out of the film as a piece in itself.
The sheer scale of the piece will cause issues because of weight, height, cost, the difficulty of transportation taking into account the 40 hanging glass bulbs, finding a large enough studio space for construction and skilled craftsmen to assist and advise.