Author Archives: ryan

Updated Schedule

 

  • May 15 – workshop day – bring code to debug, questions, and ideas (office hours as usual)
  • May 18 – final project proposals due
  • May 18/19 – Maker Faire
  • May 20 – individual project meetings during class and office hours
  • May 22 – Guest Lecture and Workshop by Reza Ali (office hours as usual)
  • May 23 – MAT End of Year Show
  • May 27/29 – at NIME conference (no class, office hours via email or Skype by appt.)
  • June 3/5 – “dead week” (project workshop time during class, office hours as usual)
  • June 10 – no class, office hours during class time in eStudio and usual office hours
  • June 12 – Final Project Presentations/Show 10am-1pm

Homework 4: Final Project Proposal

Your Art 122 final project will be an interactive artwork or device.  It could manifest itself as purely software or hardware, but in most cases will be a combination of software (Processing) and hardware (Arduino and/or sensors).  The interactivity can come from sensor data (light, proximity, knobs, buttons, etc.), microphone data, camera data, or a database (stocks, network data, Twitter, etc.).  The output of your project may be sound, graphics, light, or robotics (don’t forget about servos and motors!). There are endless options. If you have an idea and are questioning its qualification, please email or ask me.

Email me a 1-2 page final project proposal by Saturday, May 18th.  Your proposal should include the following sections:

  • Abstract : 1-2 paragraph summary of your work.  What is your motivation for the project and what are you trying to explore or accomplish?
  • Background: What existing projects, artwork, or music have inspired your project?  Give at least 2 references and describe how your project will be unique.
  • Goals:  What do you want your project to accomplish in terms of interactivity and aesthetics?  Is its main purpose aesthetics, data visualization/sonification, a game, or simply an exploration of interactivity?  What do you hope to learn from this project?
  • Implementation: Describe the hardware/software flow of your project (with words or a diagram). How will everything be connected? What hardware components and software libraries will you need to realize your project?  What display equipment will you need (speakers, projectors, etc.)?  What hardware/software skills will you need assistance with to realize your project?

I will schedule individual meetings with students on May 20th during class time and office hours to provide feedback on proposals and go over implementations in detail.  However, it would be a good idea to start prototyping and shopping for parts as soon as possible.  Final presentations will be June 12th, so you have just over 1 month from conception to realization.  I am always available via email or office hours for final project consultation.

Homework 3 due May 6th

Complete either Option 1 or Option 2 depending on your interests and available hardware.  For both options you may augment your existing code from HW 1 or create something entirely new.

Option 1) Create a Processing sketch that is reactive to sound and/or image.  This could take on several forms.  For instance it could be:

  • graphics that react to an audio input or file
  • an audio-reactive image or video filter
  • generative graphics derived from image or video pixel data
  • a soundscape or music that is derived from graphics, image, or video
  • a soundscape or music that is derived from audio input

Option 2) Connect your Arduino to your HW 1 sketch or a new sketch and implement at least 2 forms of hardware input or output.  For instance:

  • hardware buttons, switches, knobs, sliders, or sensors controlling audio or visual parameters of your sketch.  (Note, to meet requirements you could implement two forms of control on a single hardware input.  Pushing and holding versus toggling a button, for example.)
  • audio or visual data from your sketch controlling LEDs and/or speaker/buzzer output.

I have a large supply of LED’s, buttons, knobs, wire, jumper cables, and resistors available- see me before/after class or during office hours if you need them.  I have a limited supply of piezos, flex sensors, touch sliders, and photoresistors (light sensors) available that could possibly be borrowed for the duration of the assignment depending on demand (or at least used during office hours for testing).

For both options, email me your code and be prepared to present your work in class on Monday, May 6th.  If you are unsure or have questions about an idea, don’t hesitate to email me with questions.  Also, remember it is perfectly acceptable to use office hours as a place to do your homework and get help immediately if you run into problems.