How We Scout Locations for Maximum Visual Impact | Lumen Trails

Step 1: We look for walls that fight back

Flat is fine. But character is better.
Texture. Depth. Shape. Story.
We love walls that give something back that react to the light instead of just catching it.

• Brick that eats light in cool ways
• Concrete that makes colours pop
• Windows that we can light or leave dark
• Structures that distort motion on purpose

If the wall has soul, the projection will have punch.

Step 2: We hunt for the right sightlines

If no one sees it, it didn’t happen.
So we scout the spot like maniacs:

• What’s the natural foot traffic here?
• Where do people stop and look?
• How fast are cars moving past?
• Is there a spot where people take photos?
• What will it look like on Instagram (yes, we check)?

We want people to see it, share it and talk about it.
That means picking walls that play well with human behaviour not just with projectors.

Step 3: We test the angles brutally

A projector is not a magic wand.
If the angle is off, your beautiful animation becomes a stretched mess.

So we test:

• How far back can we set up?
• Can we get direct line of sight?
• Is there space for the gear?
• What’s blocking the beam (trees, cables, signs)?
• Will we need masking to clean it up?

If we can’t make it look killer, we move on.
No half-assed beams in our game.

Step 4: We check the light wars

Ambient light is your enemy.
We scout at night to see what we’re fighting:

• Street lights
• Storefront LEDs
• Headlights
• Reflections
• Random glow from other buildings

Then we plan:

• Adjust the projector power
• Focus the beam
• Use masking to kill spill
• Pick the cleanest part of the wall

Sometimes we even convince the city to turn off lights (true story).

Step 5: We get strategic (a.k.a. street smart)

Not every spot is fair game.
We know when to ask permission and when to go guerrilla.

• High-profile commercial spots → talk to property owners
• Public art spaces → city permits
• Industrial zones → tactical timing
• Festivals → coordinated placement
• Guerrilla drops → fast in, fast out, no power left behind

We scout with this in mind so when the night comes, we’re ready to hit hard.

Final tip: The wall is your stage. Choose wisely.

A killer location is 50% of your projection’s power.
The right surface + the right sightline + the right light balance = visual impact that slaps.

That’s why we spend as much time scouting as we do animating.
Because the best projection in the world is wasted on the wrong wall.

Want us to find the perfect wall for your message?
We know this city. We know its walls. And we know how to make them talk.