We're making a Light Capsules iPhone app utilizing the latest in AR.
A series of ghost sign projections shine a light on history, all around the world.
In a world overflowing with new technologies, we tend to push ahead without looking back.


Light Capsules is a series of projection mapped light installations around the world that reanimate historical ghost signage and engage local communities around these fading artifacts.


Using projection for restoration non-damaging, and non-invasive, providing a strong preservation solution that traditional mediums can't provide. Using light as a medium, we can visually explore the stories of every layer, seeing how a building changed throughout the years.
There’s an extra element of excitement in signs that are incredibly worn or have multiple layers—The best ghost sign candidates to become Light Capsules have multiple layers, also called palimpsests, providing a compelling canvas which digital recreations can bring a focus to a specific layer in time.
Each Light Capsule involves research into the history of the wall, exploring the story of the business, or the painter behind it. Dr. Ken Jones’ collection of more than 8,000 signs has proved a valuable inspiration and resource in discovery. Legendary sign painters like John Downer and Mike Meyer have provided insight into the methods and process of how these faded ads were originally created through history.
You can read more about the process of making the signs in an in-depth post on my work in Astoria, OR, or about the Adobe Creative Residency that initially brought this project to life in 2016.
We're working on the next step for Light Capsules involving an AR app, and opening the project up for others to contribute.
FEATURED ON
The Atlantic — CityLab
Adobe Create #3
National Trust for Historic Preservation
FastCo Design
Adobe Create #1
Portland Monthly
KGW Portland Live Video
Adobe Create #2
It's Nice That
AIGA Eye on Design
British Council: LDF Top Pick
Creative Review
Working Not Working Blog
Neatorama
Previous Light Capsules.




Winnipeg, Canada Series
Five Light Capsules in one night!
Features & Press:
Winnipeg Free Press
CBC News
Metro News
Winnipeg Sun
We Heart Winnipeg
013 — Detroit, MI + Miss Van
1301 Maple St, Detroit, MI 48207
Augmenting Miss Van's 2015 piece for Murals in the Market.
008 — Take Courage
19 Park St, London UK
Building constructed 1807, Courage Beer sign painted post-1955.
006 — Portland, ME
320 Fore St. Built in 1833
Survived the Great Fire of 1866. Williams Bros. Co. 1930
005 — Cincinnati, OH
118 East 9th Street
The last remaining sign of Chuck Keiger, Special thanks Ronny Salerno, and the American Sign Museum.
013 — Detroit, MI + Miss Van
1301 Maple St, Detroit, MI 48207
Augmenting Miss Van's 2015 piece for Murals in the Market.
012 — Westminster Gillette




011 — Wire Works




010 — Cakebread Robey




LDF Intermission — 'Worldwide' Party
The Distillery Bar, 2-8 Great Suffolk St, London SE1 0UG, UK


009 — Barlow & Roberts




008 — Take Courage
19 Park St, London UK
Building constructed 1807, Courage Beer sign painted post-1955.




007 — The Portland Company
100 Fore St
Iconic sign of the Portland, ME waterfront, building set for potential demolition.


006 — Portland, ME
320 Fore St
Building constructed 1833. Survived the Great Fire of 1866. Williams Bros. Co. 1930


005 — Cincinnati, OH
118 East 9th Street
The last remaining sign of Chuck Keiger, Special thanks Ronny Salerno, and the American Sign Museum.
004 — Astoria, OR
904 Commercial St. Built 1924
Astoria Sign Co., Carl Laine & Sons Tailors, Nyman-Judge Inc. Buster Brown Shoes, Ahrens Grocery
003 — Portland, OR
1204 SE Water Ave
Jacobs & Gile Steel Jobbers.


002 — Joseph, OR
101 W McCully Ave
Shell Oil Company.


001 — Burlington, Vermont
47 Maple St. Built 1919
Public Service Paper Co.

































