Olivia Ema

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2024
OmahLay Afronation 2024
Stage visuals

For Omah Lay’s performance at Afronation 2024, I designed a series of evolving stage visuals, creating immersive atmospheres that matched the energy and mood of his set. Each scene was carefully coordinated to complement the music.

With less than a week to bring it all together, I worked closely with Omah Lay’s team to craft a visual experience that felt true to his artistry.

Tools
Unreal engine 
DaVinci Resolve



 





Planning and testing

The biggest constraint was time, so the art direction focused on atmosphere, a visual world that felt immersive yet adaptable. Omah Lay’s music carries a deep, spiritual energy, so it was important that the visuals complemented that experience rather than overpowering it.

Another major constraint was the limited ability to customise the stage,  we opted for consistent rock formations as the foundation of the scene. Initially, this took the form of a cave, but as the design evolved, it shifted to two pillars as the central visual motif.
 
Cave development in Unreal Engine

Weather and atmosphere developments



While the pillars remained constant, the surrounding weather and atmosphere transformed throughout the set, creating an ever-changing yet cohesive visual experience.

 




Set list and screen visual planning


The sky scenes cast an ambient glow over the audience, adding depth and atmosphere to the performance. In the end, the project was a success, complementing both the Afronation stage and Omah Lay’s music.

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