-
Recent Posts
Categories
Blogroll
Feed Me
Tag Archives: Prototype
Thesis Prototype – Proximity Player
For this prototype, I focused on three specific aspects of the user and object interaction, which were:
- proximity
- user input via physical interaction
- user relationship to the installation piece
Using an Ardweeny, small bread board, MaxBotix Ultra Range Finder, a small plastic encasing, hardboard, and a RadioShack speaker, I created a proximity-based sound box that is mounted on the edge of a bicycle wheel. The mount (made of leftover scraps of wood from the Physical Computing room here at Parsons) is attached to the wheel with zip ties.
I wanted to provide some form of physical input for the person interacting with the piece as well as recognize that if multiple people were involved, each person should have a unique sound experience. By including the bicycle wheel as the method for activating the installation piece as well as PVC pipe that can easily be moved, the user has a direct impact on the sounds that they hear.
As the sound box rotates around the hardboard platform, the PVC pipes that are placed on the platform trigger tones based on their distance to the sound box. The tone rises and falls as the pipe comes into and out of range.
I also started initial prototyping of possible patterns and designs that could be projected or otherwise provided on the platform. I initially played with simple patterns of circles, but based on a suggestion from classmate Brett Burton, I used patterns based on the golden ratio and the fibonacci sequence as well.
Posted in 2010 Fall, Thesis Studio
Also tagged Arduino, Bike, Proximity, Sound Box, Thesis, Wheel
Leave a comment
Thesis Prototypes Continue
In keeping with my plan to prototype “slices” of my larger Thesis project, I did some physical installation work the past few days. I started with preparing a series of images using an application I wrote in openFrameworks. Using particle system code that Zach Lieberman provided his Algorithmic Animation class, I made a few changes so that the particles would respond and react to sound frequencies placed within the page. A few interesting patterns and formations came about using this process.
I used the image of Pamela Britton from D.O.A. because during a Visual Music Studio project last semester, I became completely fascinated with the small gestures that she made throughout the film. In keeping with key elements of my precedence, I wanted to amplify an emotion or feeling by capturing a subtle but effective moment of movement.
I then printed a few pieces out on a plotter to make large prints (approx. 80″ X 42″). This took a lot longer than I thought it would take, but I learned a lot about printing on a plotter and sizing an image for large prints. I then made some wheat paste at home and pasted them in the street for public viewing. Here are a few shots from the first night I went out.
Visual Sequencer – 2nd Prototype
After getting initial feedback from the class, I added some text that provides information for the user of the sequencer as well as a control for adjusting the tempo.
I am currently using a counter to keep the speed of the pattern, so for the next iteration, I’ll be sure to use actual time (such as milliseconds) to maintain the speed and tempo.
Here is a run through of the latest prototype:
Code is posted in the comments.
Posted in 2010 Fall, Code for Art, Thesis Studio
Also tagged Camera, openFrameworks, Sequencer, Visual Music
1 Comment
Visual Sequencer
In Code for Art, we were asked to pick an adjective as a constraint for our next project. Since my core thesis topic is rhythm, I chose “rhythmic” as my word of choice.
I had the “a-ha” moment last week after a combination of events, influences, and interests all seemed to intersect (Maker Faire, Trespass book release show, visual music, openFrameworks, QR codes, psychogeography, etc), and I have decided to create a form of visual music graffiti for my thesis project.
In general, I will be creating a custom application that allows musicians and artists to compose music/sound pieces, export them as images, and paste the visual pieces up. Using an app, the public can “read” these images and translate them into the music that is embedded within the image. There is much more to the project but that is a brief overview.
For this prototype, I took my first step toward illustrating my idea:
This program reads the image pixel information from the camera, stores the pixel RGB values in to an array, and based on the actual values, maps the image to the sequencer. Basically it looks for black pixels in specific locations and maps them accordingly.
As I started running out of time before class, I had to hardcode some of my variables, so I’m going to need to go back and redo some of this work. I also would like to add the ability to change the tempo, the number of sequencer buttons, alter what instruments are being played, and include some text for directions.
As a first prototype, it was successful in showing the general idea of the final outcome. Looking forward to doing the next prototype.
Posted in 2010 Fall, Code for Art, Thesis Studio
Also tagged Camera, openFrameworks, Sequencer, Visual Music
Leave a comment
Thesis – Sleep Rhythm Prototype
This is the first full prototype of the semester in the ongoing exploration of Rhythm. Inspired by a book describing the sleeping patterns of animals and circadian rhythms in general, I put this prototype together to describe the differences between my sleeping patterns and the cycle of the rising and setting sun. I created two [...]
Game Design – Double Whammy Game Board
We will be play-testing our game, Double Whammy, this week in Game Design, so we wanted to do one more iteration on the game board before this test. There are other issues that need to be resolved with the game mentioned in the play test post, but based on time constraints, we felt the game [...]
Posted in 2010 Fall, Game Design 1
Also tagged Double Whammy, Laser Cutter, Spray Paint, Stencil
Leave a comment
ICFF – Submission is in!
Zane Murray and I collaborated on a piece, called Transformium, that we submitted to the New School judging committee to hopefully be selected to participate in the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) happening here in New York City. I was heavily influenced by the book, Interactive Architecture, by Michael Fox and Miles Kemp, so I [...]
Posted in 2010 Spring, Physical Computing 2
Also tagged Furniture, ICFF, Interactive Architecture, Transformium
Leave a comment
Prototype Playtest – Participation Culture
For Design and Education, we were asked to prepare a testable/playable prototype of an activity based on one of topics/weeks listed in our class syllabus. I chose week 4 from my course, Participation Culture, which was focused on the Situationist International, forms of investigation/research, and Psychogeography. In brief, my prototype will have students interacting with [...]
Posted in 2010 Spring, Design and Education
Also tagged Experience-based, Playtest, Research Methods, Situationist International
Leave a comment