Neumann&Müller Gears Up to Provide Clients with Pre-Visualization of Events Using VR

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | September 18, 2017 | News

Neumann&Müller UAE

Neumann&Müller Event Technology (N&M) has welcomed the new season with innovative AV solutions in response to the demand of the agencies and end clients regarding the cutting-edge technology they require to stay competitive in the business.

“Our philosophy is to provide the best service possible to our clients, therefore, we have been busy experimenting over the summer months in order to support this technical requirement requested from us using our creativity with the help of a software programme that allows us to see the end result while the design is being drafted,” commented Rick Wade, General Manager – Dubai, N&M. “We have started bridging  the gap between conceptual design and realism by offering pre-visualisation of work not only in 2D or 3D renders, but now in virtual reality (VR) platform  as part of our consultancy service.”

VR, which is a simulation of a real-life environment, is gaining ground in pro AV world and revolutionizing it quite quickly. It opens up a 360-degree viewing in B2B and B2C communication, particularly for up-front visualisations of trade fair stands, architectural concepts, corporate events or 3D product presentations. VR application in events is one of the hottest topics in the industry right now. Although, it hasn’t gone mainstream just yet in the Middle East, it is certainly making waves. Immersive experience and improved audience engagement are now achievable through VR. This is now sought after even at an early stage to secure that winning edge.

Talking about the investment in new equipment, Wade said, “It's an evolution of what we have on offer, with the help of the system which incorporates virtual real-time pre-visualization of lighting, motion, and media content used primarily for pre-show work. We have pushed our boundaries of our creativity by developing and adding new elements to this existing system, which supplemented the services we already provide and most importantly, added value to our clients.”

Wade added that they now have the capacity to provide complex wireframe to fully rendered images and videos, realistic lighting simulation, materials and reflections, incorporate live video projection and show content to multiple screens. Their specialists are able to draw up detailed plans and create a realistic impression of a project at an early stage in the proceedings, which is the actual basis of the execution. 

Kris Collier, who has joined Neumann&Müller last year to head the lighting operations and lighting design department, is an expert in this system and has been using it to programme and design light initially. He has spent time investigating how best Neumann&Müller can serve its clients even at the crucial stage of pitching. THE VR platform has been introduced to clients to help them eventually win the job.

 “During the planning period, we advise our clients before they give their presentations and support them with their pitch. Ultimately, through this innovation, we are taking our clients on a tour of their entire event where only certain people dare to go. The goal is to immerse them into their own event and give them a chance to experience it before everyone does, which can be a time and eventually cost-effective method in the end,” said Wade.

Clients are already showing interest, even as Neumann&Müller has just been commissioned to do a job  for the launch of a high end automotive brand, who will be using the company’s expertise in VR and integrate it as part of the event.