Creative technology.
Custom electronics
by Hoss Gifford.
I partner with fabricators and production studios to provide the electronics and software for custom props, installations, and experiential activations.
I believe technology is at its best when it's invisible — when the audience doesn't think about how something works, they just feel the experience. That's what drives everything I build.
The people who hire me aren't interested in what microcontroller I'm using or how I optimized the power draw. They have a complex problem that needs solving, usually on a tight deadline, and they need someone who can deliver a finished solution that's reliable and beautiful. I spend as much time with a soldering iron and a 3D printer as I do writing code, and I work closely with the fabricators and craftspeople who handle the physical construction.
Film, television, & advertising props.
I work with prop makers to bring their builds to life with custom electronics like a GPS tracking and tap counting hardware hidden inside a hockey stick for Team Canada's Winter Olympics campaign, and remote controlled animated eyes for a robot on a Tinder date.
Experiential installations.
Agencies and brands hire me to build the technology behind activations that engage real audiences in person — experiences that usually end up being filmed for the campaign. I've built a mind-controlled water tap for Life is Good, converted a decommissioned ATM into a basketball game for BMO's NBA activation, and built a globe that doubles as a game controller for Kubik's trade shows.
Custom creative electronics.
I work on many projects that are not easily classified. I partnered with Deville's Workshop to create a new musical instrument for a horror film composer, and I create interactive art installations like Beautiful. Perfect. Just the way you are.
Acclaim.
Work I've been involved with has received awards from Cannes Cyber Lions, the Webby Awards, Applied Arts, and the Canadian Marketing Association. I personally have received an Epica, was selected as one of Creative Review's Creative Futures, and Computer Arts featured me as a Design Icon.