CLASS: productive interaction
TERM: fall 09
Given these guidelines, I set out to create something that was fun and playful. I found it difficult to think of ideas that weren't so obvious in the way one would use a knob/potentiometer. After many brainstorms and countless hours, I found inspiration through a referenced project involving audio play. "Singing Sock Puppets," by Matthew Irvine Brown, created a playful musical instrument out of something that is somewhat ordinary. The idea of using an everyday object in an unexpected way was one of the key features that I enjoyed the most. The second thing that I really liked, was the ability for the user to dictate their own outcome.
Then, I came up with the idea of using an aerosol spray paint can as an audio player. The general idea would be that when shaken, the audio played was some sort of mixing sound, and when the nozzle were pressed, it played an audio track. The only question then, was if it were possible to create such a thing by only using a potentiometer. With the help of classmate Hunter Sebresos, we came up with the basic engineering of a way to use the knob with a weight to create the proper motion needed for mixing. The rest of the mechanics came with hours of trial and error in the construction process.
After finally getting the bugs somewhat worked out, I solidified the theme of the object itself. Having been an avid follower and participant in the art of graffiti, I felt it was only natural to use the spray can in that theme. All of the audio clips have some reference to graffiti. Some of the clips are taken from hip hop songs revolving around the subject and others are taken from a variety of documentaries in which the artists comment about graffiti with their own words.
One last key interactive point to this piece is that the amount of times you shake the can, determines which audio clip gets played.
TERM: fall 09
"This project explores the integration of the physical environment with the media environment through the limited palette of one physical sensor and one media effector. Using the concepts of productive information exploration and behavior design for interactive systems, create a tangible interaction where the audience manipulates a single knob and observes a video display OR listens to audio (only one medium is allowed). By interacting with a system that has a designed behavior, the user should create a productive interaction experience that explores a specific information space.
This project serves two purposes. First, it explores productive interaction through the lens of designed behavior. Second, it introduces the design domain of tangible interaction, where interaction moves off the computer screen and into embodied, tangible content and interactions in the physical world."
Given these guidelines, I set out to create something that was fun and playful. I found it difficult to think of ideas that weren't so obvious in the way one would use a knob/potentiometer. After many brainstorms and countless hours, I found inspiration through a referenced project involving audio play. "Singing Sock Puppets," by Matthew Irvine Brown, created a playful musical instrument out of something that is somewhat ordinary. The idea of using an everyday object in an unexpected way was one of the key features that I enjoyed the most. The second thing that I really liked, was the ability for the user to dictate their own outcome.
Then, I came up with the idea of using an aerosol spray paint can as an audio player. The general idea would be that when shaken, the audio played was some sort of mixing sound, and when the nozzle were pressed, it played an audio track. The only question then, was if it were possible to create such a thing by only using a potentiometer. With the help of classmate Hunter Sebresos, we came up with the basic engineering of a way to use the knob with a weight to create the proper motion needed for mixing. The rest of the mechanics came with hours of trial and error in the construction process.
After finally getting the bugs somewhat worked out, I solidified the theme of the object itself. Having been an avid follower and participant in the art of graffiti, I felt it was only natural to use the spray can in that theme. All of the audio clips have some reference to graffiti. Some of the clips are taken from hip hop songs revolving around the subject and others are taken from a variety of documentaries in which the artists comment about graffiti with their own words.
One last key interactive point to this piece is that the amount of times you shake the can, determines which audio clip gets played.