Pedagogy: Expanding New Design Disciplines. Drone Show Design Class

Over the span of 15 weeks, students from diverse artistic and cultural backgrounds came together to learn the intricate process of creating visually stunning and narratively compelling drone choreographies. This unique class represents a collaboration with Nova Sky Stories (NSS), a leader in drone light shows, whose partnership with ASU began after a spectacular performance during an ASU football game. This partnership has enabled students to gain hands-on experience and professional insights into this emerging field.

Course Structure and Learning Objectives

The course was meticulously structured to guide students through every stage of drone show creation. Beginning with an introduction to NSS and the technical and artistic requirements of drone performances, students learned foundational skills in 3D modeling, animation, and lighting design. With NSS visiting the class three times to deliver specialized lectures, students had the opportunity to interact directly with industry professionals, deepening their understanding of technical constraints, design processes, and the storytelling potential of drone shows. These sessions were instrumental in inspiring students to create original concepts and refine their designs.

Progressive Exercises and Skill Development

Throughout the semester, students engaged in a series of progressive exercises, starting with conceptual storyboards, and culminating in the creation of previsualizations for complex 2000-drone choreographies. The curriculum emphasized iterative feedback, with milestones including midterm reviews and a pre-final critique involving NSS. By leveraging virtual reality tools to visualize their designs and receiving individualized mentorship, students honed their technical and artistic skills while preparing for real-world applications.

Final Showcase and Achievements

The course concluded with an inspiring showcase at the MIXhibition, where students presented their final projects to an audience of peers, faculty, and industry professionals. This event not only celebrated the students' achievements but also demonstrated the transformative potential of combining creativity with cutting-edge technology. The success of this class has established it as a pivotal step in ASU’s commitment to innovation in arts and media education.

Future Opportunities for Graduates

Graduates of this course now form a talent pool eligible for future collaborations with Nova Sky Stories and other drone show projects at ASU. By equipping students with both technical proficiency and creative vision, this class has set a new benchmark for interdisciplinary education, preparing students to make meaningful contributions to the evolving landscape of aerial storytelling.