Gobo Material: Steel, Glass or Plastic

The type of gobo you choose can dramatically affect the results of your projection. Steel gobos, for example, are affordable with quick turnaround times, but oftentimes the steel gobo process can limit the complexity of the design. Glass gobos, however, allow for intricate detailing and color blending, offering a higher degree of artistic freedom. Plastic gobos are an affordable option that also provides the artistic freedom for your design, but they do not have the vibrancy, opacity, or longevity you can expect from a glass gobo.

Gobo Size

The level of detail in a gobo design is not just a matter of artistic preference but also a technical consideration. Some gobo projectors, for example, use incredibly small gobos (fingernail-sized or even smaller!), which can inhibit the amount of detail that can be projected in the final gobo design.

Glass Gobo Color Theory

Lighting color theory is a vital technical aspect of gobo projections – especially for creating glass gobo designs that resonate emotionally with viewers. Making a multi-color glass gobo uses CMY+K color mixing, which means different elements of your design will be etched out of four layers of dichroic glass – cyan, magenta, yellow, and an opaque (black) mask. Making color adjustments to one layer can have a dramatic effect on the final projection. It’s also important to realize how the light output of the gobo projector also fits into the color theory of the gobo projection. A projection created with a warm white gobo projector will look different than the same gobo inside a cool white gobo projector.

Projections take visitors back in time inside an archaeologic park.

The design of a gobo can set the tone for an entire project. A well-chosen pattern or image can evoke feelings of joy, nostalgia, or even suspense from those who see it. This emotional impact makes gobo design a powerful tool for creating immersive environments.

Branding and Messages

Conceptualization

Every gobo design starts with an idea. This initial concept is often sketched out on paper or it's created digitally. Once the concept is solidified, the design is drafted in greater detail until the final design of the gobo projection is complete.

Three Pro Tips For Good Design

1. Don’t Forget The Projection Surface

As you are designing your gobo projection, make sure to consider the surface (wall, floor, etc.) that the gobo will be projected onto. A red logo projected on a red wall, for example, might need extra design considerations. You might also consider removing fine details from your gobo design if it will be projected onto a heavily textured surface.

2. Light Surrounded By Dark Is Usually More Successful

If you want to create a sharply focused gobo projection, it’s usually recommended to avoid having your design surrounded by a field of white/bright light. Inversing the design so that it’s surrounded by an opaque mask will provide crisper gobo projections.

3. Don’t Be A Hero – We Are Here To Help

Here at Rosco, we make hundreds of gobos every day and we understand that not everyone knows the ins and outs of gobo design like we do. We are here to help and can answer any gobo design questions you may have. It’s always easier to answer questions in the design phase than it is to troubleshoot gobo projection issues in the field.

Turning The Final Design Into Gobo Artwork

Many considerations and alterations may be necessary to transform your graphic design into a file that can be used for gobo projection. The Rosco gobo team is here to help every step of the way during this process. Services Rosco can provide:

• Tabbing For Steel Gobos
  Some elements of your design might need to be anchored to the gobo using small “tabs” of steel. The triangle in the capital letter A, for example, would not be able to float in the air on its own – it would need to be connected to the rest of the letter. We provide this service for every custom steel gobo we make.
  
  
• Keystone Correction
  If your gobo projector is at an oblique angle from the projection surface, the final projection design might end up warped or misshapen. There are techniques that we can use to correct the gobo art for a successful gobo projection.

• Color Correction/Shift For Glass Gobos
  The color temperature (the relative warmness or coolness of the light) of the gobo projector you’re using is important. If you want your projection to feel warm, for example, but the light output of the gobo projector is cool – we can augment the glass gobo design to be warmer. The light output of some projectors can also mute some colors. If a gobo projector has a noticeable green spike, for example, that can end up muting the reddish colors of your projection. We can add extra magenta into the gobo design to remove that green and help the reds in your design pop a little better.

Testing and Implementation

Once the gobo design has been finalized, we can provide a digital proof for approval. While this is helpful for overall design approval, sometimes it’s necessary to order a gobo for a mockup of the final projection – especially for large, high-profile projects. This enables you to check how the design looks when projected onto the surface material at the expected distance and angle to make sure the gobo will perform as expected.

Social and Political Messaging

As seen in our blog post, "BIPOC Artists Illuminate Their Truth With Projected Art & Poetry," gobos can serve as impactful tools for social commentary. The design choices in such projections must be made carefully to convey the intended message powerfully and respectfully.

Spiritual and Emotional Impact

Our feature on "Gobo Projections Create A Luminous, Spiritual Journey Inside Metz Cathedral" explores how subtle gobo projections can evoke spiritual responses. Note how the designers chose a warm white gobo projector to project inspirational text that they designed inside a black mask to create projections that were sharp enough to read, yet subtle enough that they felt like part of the environment.

Architectural Highlighting

The "Highlighting The Architectural Details Of A Gothic Façade With Rosco Image Spots®" article illustrates how gobos can accentuate architectural features. As “dark sky” initiatives continue to gain steam around the world, this is a great example of how gobo projections can complement the structure it is highlighting to create a harmonious visual experience – without blasting the structure with an over-excess of light.

Incorporating Technological Innovations

The Rosco Spectrum "Gobo Projections + Augmented Reality Highlight The History Of Vitré, France" blog post showcases how designers used augmented reality to bring simple gobo projections to life. It’s a wonderful example of how technological advancements are expanding the possibilities in gobo design and projection.

What is a gobo?

The word gobo is shorthand for “Goes Between Optic.” It is a stencil, template, pattern, or image that is placed in between the light source and the optic of a projector that enables a light fixture to create a sharp projection.

What materials are used in gobo design?

Gobos are made using metal, glass, or plastic. Steel and plastic gobos are affordable options, while glass gobos are better suited for intricate and colorful designs, or for long-term projects.

How are gobos made?

Gobos are made using various materials like metal, glass, or plastic and are crafted through etching, laser cutting, or printing processes.

How do I choose the right gobo design for my event?

Consider the event's theme, the venue, and the emotional impact you wish to create when choosing a gobo design. Also, be sure to consider the projection surface the gobo will be projected onto and make sure the gobo design and gobo projector are properly suited for the project.

How does gobo design affect mood and atmosphere?

The patterns, colors, and symbology of a gobo design can evoke specific emotions and set the tone for a project.

The art of gobo design is more than just creating patterns; it's about telling stories, evoking emotions, and transforming spaces. As the possibilities in gobo artistry continue to expand, so does the potential for creative expression. Dive deeper into the world of gobo projections by exploring Rosco’s range of Image Spot Gobo Projectors, our extensive catalog of Standard Gobo Designs, and our Custom Gobo Design Services. Let's create something brilliant together!

Want To Learn More? Explore our Ultimate Guide To Gobo Projectors!