Synchora
Pre-rehearsal 3D choreography visualization for the performing arts
Role
Product Designer
Timeline
Jan – Jun 2025
Team
Gabby Saadia, Nitya Peumans, Saniya Patel, Sarah Fan, Helen Shan
Tools
Figma
Solution
A 3D pre-rehearsal tool that converts dancer videos into animated avatars and lets choreographers plan full formations before the cast is ever in the room.
- →AI converts individual dancer footage into animated 3D avatar models — no motion-capture hardware
- →Arrange avatars in a 3D stage environment and preview formations from any angle
- →Six-step workflow maps directly to a choreographer's existing process — minimal onboarding
- →Eliminates spatial blocking from rehearsal time so studio hours focus on artistry, not logistics
Rehearsal time is scarce and expensive. Choreographers spend hours of scheduled studio time working out spatial formations that could have been resolved beforehand — if they had the right tool. Synchora is a 3D visualization platform that lets choreographers upload individual dancer videos and preview full-cast formations before anyone sets foot on stage.
Synchora dashboard — 3D formation preview with animated dancer avatars
The problem
The performing arts are behind on tooling. Choreographers still plan complex multi-dancer formations using paper diagrams, whiteboards, or basic video — methods that flatten three-dimensional space onto two-dimensional surfaces and strip away timing entirely. The result is a rehearsal time problem: studios are booked for spatial problem-solving (who stands where, who moves when) instead of artistic refinement. A formation that should take two minutes of visualization takes two hours of rehearsal.
Video upload flow — AI converts individual dancer footage into 3D models
Research findings
We mapped choreographer workflows from initial concept through opening night, identifying where time was lost. Four pain points emerged:
- 01Outdated formation techniques that can't represent depth or timing simultaneously
- 02Choreographic vision that diverges from stage reality — ideas that looked clear on paper fell apart with real bodies in real space
- 03Difficulty coordinating simultaneous movements across large casts without a shared visual reference
- 04Wasted rehearsal time on logistics and spatial blocking, leaving little time for artistic direction
Synchora visual identity and branding system
Design approach: progressive disclosure
Synchora's six core features are ordered to match a choreographer's existing workflow exactly. This was a deliberate application of progressive disclosure: each step reveals only what's needed at that moment in the process, reducing cognitive load for a user group that didn't self-identify as tech-forward. The workflow sequence maps one-to-one onto the choreographer's mental model — stage setup → individual dancer capture → spatial arrangement → cast assignment → technical elements → full preview. Users always know where they are in the process and what comes next.
Landing page design
Core features
Six capabilities that address the full pre-rehearsal workflow:
- 01Customize Stage — set dimensions, dancer count, and load preset venue libraries
- 02Upload Videos — AI converts individual dancer footage into animated 3D avatar models
- 03Visualize Formations — arrange avatars in 3D stage space, preview from any angle
- 04Assign Videos — link each 3D model to a specific dancer for rehearsal preparation
- 05Audio & Lighting — sync music and preview technical lighting rigs
- 06Showtime — export a full-run preview for sharing with the creative team
Branding
We developed Synchora's visual identity alongside the product — a brand system that needed to feel sophisticated enough for professional performing arts organizations while remaining accessible to independent choreographers. The identity system spans logo, type, color, and motion guidelines.