I'm tired of virtual backgrounds for meetings...
Don't get me wrong - virtual backgrounds can be fun and convinient, but for me it's an excuse not to clean my workspace or stuff behind me. Lately my desk has been messy with all sorts of stuff I began and left to rot on the table.
Solution: Have a cool IRL background so that I need to clean up my desk in order to show off!
The Setup
The project combines two LED elements mounted behind my workspace on the shelf where I keep my tools and electronics accessories (yes, the same shelf that's usually a chaotic mess, but now it's a glowing chaotic mess):
- WS2812B LED strip for ambient backlighting (aka "I'm a serious professional" mode)
- 16x16 WS2812B LED matrix panel for displaying animations and effects (aka "look at my fancy tech" mode)
Both are controlled by an ESP32 running WLED, because apparently I wasn't satisfied with just having working lights. They needed to be smart lights that I can reprogram at 2 AM when I can't sleep.
Key Components
To bring this totally-necessary-and-not-at-all-overkill project to life, I used:
- WLED GifPlayer UI - For when you need to display memes on your wall during video calls (professional use only, obviously)
- WLED Nightly Build - Because stable releases don't work with the GifPlayer yet.
- Duality LED Track System - 3D printed mounting solution that kickstarted this whole thing
- Audio Reactive WLED - LEDs react to music and light up in sync with audio
- 200W @ 5V PSU - Because it's more than 600 LEDs lol
Why This Works So Well
The Duality Track System by Andy Huot was a game-changer for mounting. It provides a sleek, modular way to position the LED strips exactly where I needed them. Plus, 3D printing it myself meant I could pretend I saved money while conveniently ignoring all the failed prints in my trash pile.
With WLED's GifPlayer UI, I can display custom animations, reactive effects that respond to music, or even simple color schemes. Out-of-the-box you get a bunch of effects like Akemi and Distortion Waves, but having the ability to upload my own 16x16 pixel art is what the cool kids do.
The whole system is controllable from my phone or Home Assistant, which means I've successfully created another thing in my house that can potentially be hacked if left exposed (don't!).
The Result
The combination of strip lighting and matrix display creates depth and visual interest that takes my video setup from "guy in his room" to "guy in his room who clearly has too much time on his hands."
People on meetings now spend more time looking at the fancy lighting than questioning me why my tasks aren't done 🤣
Plus, let's be honest—having a customizable light show behind you is the ultimate power move for establishing dominance in any virtual meeting. "Oh, your background is just a blurred office? That's cute. Mine has reactive audio visualizations."
Final Thoughts
If you're looking to level up your video background game and already have some experience with WLED and 3D printing, this project hits the sweet spot of practical and impressive. It's also perfect for justifying that electronics shelf full of "tools I might need someday" to anyone who questions your hoarding tendencies.
After all, it's not a messy collection of random tech—it's an illuminated maker space.
