Lasers are beautiful with a mesmerizing simplicity – a single beam of light moved at high speed with precision by two mirrors. This minimalistic setup, using just light and reflection, is used to create stunning effects.

The elegance lies in the combination of physics and art. A laser beam, coherent and focused, is the brush, while the mirrors act as nimble hands guiding it across the canvas of air. The mirrors pivot at high speeds, deflecting the beam along two axes (X and Y). As they do so, they trace shapes and patterns faster than the eye can follow, resulting in geometric designs and liquid-like waves that appear to hover in space.

I love designing with lasers due to the blend of technological and mathematical precision with art. This intersection is what makes laser displays not just visually striking but emotionally evocative, reminding us that even the simplest tools, when used with creativity, can generate intense beauty.

Lasers combine beauty with danger – a display laser of any useful power needs to be used with extreme care to protect an audience from injury, due to the power contained in its beam. This danger creates limitations on how a laser can be safely used, enhancing the creativity and ingenuity needed to produce compelling displays.

I also design lighting and have resources on some lighting control systems here too: