Peter had a midterm, so only Wojciech and Jenna went to the meeting. We discussed on several points:

1. Projector/flood lights: First we asked about the idea of putting projector across the street or inside the wall. But projector idea won't be as cheap as we expected because the light source should be very strong and can cost up to 40,000 dollars. Alternatively, we can install the light source inside the room. This would need a lot of space within the building and this light source also needs to be strong enough to be visible even outside the glass exterior. Even borrowing a projector with the necessary strength for a day was projected to have a cost in the tens of thousands. It was also suggested that a projector was planted behind the text “THE COOPER UNION” or attach an overhanging arm to the top of the building. This would require a much less powerful projector but our mentors argued that it would not withstand the weather, i.e. the projector would break in the case of rain.

2. “Choosing one design”: While we prepared three different designs per budget, they thought it wouldn't be easy to prepare for all three at the same time. Rather, they suggested to choose only one design out of three, and change the scale (not the idea itself) according to the budget. Also they suggested that the shadow idea is the most powerful. It's technically feasible and easy to accomplish, only it can be astronomically expensive in large scale. They spoke of a method to accomplish this: one would need to project a strong light onto the objects (people) whose shadow would be replicated towards light sensors which would be previously adjusted to negate all already existing (and potentially intrusive) lights. The disruptions a person made would be recorded to be summarily replicated upon the Cooper Union facade. But overall, this method would require a strong light source(possibly IR or UV so as not to disturb the person), a wall of light sensors, and LEDs (for the replication)

3. Budget Estimation: Before the group can approach creating proposals, we will need to estimate the scope of the project for the a certain budget. Our mentors showed us how to roughly estimate the area we can cover with LEDs with the limitations imposed, namely the budget. To cover most of the left side of the NAB facade, $20,000 seems to be enough if LEDs are only placed into every hole of the mesh. This area falls severely with each lower budget denomination. Our mentors instructed us to establish a rough estimate of cost for each project as it would be tremendously helpful while, at the same time, allowing for adjustment to designs as long as they retain their original scale.

4. Timeline: Although not perfect, we were mostly in good shape. But they wanted us to include our review session with TigerParty mentors each week on timeline. Also they want us to clear up the milestones; while now we have only one milestone, they figured out two other milestones (finishing up design for Peter and Jenna, engineering mechanism for Wojciech). Further, since we have to finish more than one proposal in a month, they want us to make a different schedule for each ideas/proposals.

5. More images and better videos: So far we have only one image for each idea. First, we were recommended to narrow our ideas into one and make more (and more compelling) images. Also, Ganesh suggested about using images to solve engineering problems. How bright LED lightbulbs should be and how compactly they should be installed might be tested with photoshopped images. Also, after watching our half-finished video clip, they wanted us to talk with images. Since our project is indispensable without design issues, he wanted to see more images on the video.

6. Engineering stuff: The first Solidworks models(available on Wojciech's page)of a mold for mass LED attachment were presented to the mentors and they seem to think it will work. The models still need to be finalized with exact dimensions as well as with a method of soldering (efficiently, if not en masse). They were also worried about how we will be able to actively control the LED action. This is not an issue for the lower budget projects in which LED images will probably be static, but for the “Shadow Idea” this will be crucial. It was suggested that arduinos may accomplish the goal but we are still uncertain of the arduino's limitations and the ease with which we will be able to take advantage of their ability. For an animated LED image, each LED will require it's own switch which will hopefully be controlled a program (or series of programs) whose objective will be to convert the light obstructions into an image and then switch on the LEDs necessary in real time. Other options (more powerful than an arduino) may have to be explored.

7. Wring a proposal: Since we all wanted to the largest scale project, and we desperately need funding, they gave us some tips on this matter. Basically we were to convince our client about how important and meaningful our project is. Suggesting statistics is one of the strongest method; say, we guarantee NAB to attract 2000 tourists a month or this will be the downtown landmark and etc. Adding values to convince the Cooper Committee for their interest is another challenge by the end of March. We need to distinguish this project from simply being something that only inspires a fleeting excitement to something will actually seem bring the client(the board) something back from this project that we want them to invest so much into.