Month: March 2018

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Processing & Arduinos

Processing

A bulk of our classes involve learning more about coding. Serving as a platform to learn the basics of coding, we were recently introduced to Processing, a flexible “software sketchbook”, and “language for learning how to code within the context of the visual arts”. With it, users (especially students, artists, designers, researchers, and hobbyists) are able to create prototypes and learn. 

Since we (me, especially) were beginners in coding and programming, we were first taught the basics, and over time, we eventually learned more functions and picked up on more Processing terms. Through lessons in class and online tutorials, in addition to Processing terms, I learned more about the set up and draw function, variables, creating shapes, text, and colours, and making them move at different directions and speeds, as well as the printing functions. 

With this, we were tasked to apply our new knowledge and skills in creating a simple two-player Pong game. Using Processing, our game had to feature two moving rectangles, a moving eclipse that changed direction upon contact with either of the rectangles, a scoreboard, and a ‘game over’ screen. 

Challenges

As a beginner in programming, I faced difficulty in making the graphics move, mainly because I did not quite understand the math behind the x and y axes. I especially had difficulty in programming the eclipse in such a way that it changed direction when coming into contact with either of the rectangles. 

However, with online tutorials and help from friends (especially Jia Yi), I could better understand the coding terms. 

The Pong Game
Game Over

Arduino

In addition to Processing, we were also given insight on Arduino. Arduino is an “open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software”. With an Arduino board that reads inputs (such as lights on sensors and fingers on buttons) and turns them into outputs, users can send instructions onto micro controllers on the board, carrying out those instructions. 

With the use of the Arduino programming language and the Arduino Software, based on Processing, we were taught on how to light an LED light bulb. Plugging the USB cable into our laptops and with provided codes, we were able to light the LED bulb by connecting different pins. By adjusting the code, we could adjust the rates at which the bulb lit and its intensity. 

 

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Research Critique | Maker Culture & DIWO

Write a 400-word essay discussing the concept of DIWO as explored in the essay, the Furtherfield Website, and Marc Garrett’s lecture.

The term, Do It With Others (DIWO), is centred on the idea of co-creation, it emphasises ‘co-produced’ and ‘networked’ initiatives as opposed to ‘top-down initiations’. It can also be defined as a ‘collaboration platform’ for like-minded people to ‘collaboratively work on a task, project, or any other service’. It is also a platform that allows for collaboration between a vast range of sources, creating new ‘hybrid’ experiences. DIWO also emphasises on process rather than outcome, ‘forming relationally aware peer enactments’. Ironically, it is also because of its own innovative nature that DIWO is not as widely-accepted; it is perceived as ‘complex’ and ‘too fast’ for some of the industry’s main stakeholders to catch up with. 

The article also discusses using technology as a necessary tool for survival and innovation, especially for artists. Being equipped with knowledge and skills in technology is beneficial especially in the creative industry as it provides artists with an advantage in a field of ‘creative capitalism’; with these skills, they can produce ‘new’ and ‘exciting’ works. Furthermore, in the case of ‘open networks’ brought about by Media Art and technology, it allows for practitioners to have a ‘deeper understanding’ of the medium and how to ‘creatively’ ‘exploit it’. As a result, practitioners across different fields are able to interact and collaborate with peer critique and ‘shared ownership of ideas’, all with a ‘variant of creative expressions’. 

 

Combining the skillsets of practitioners across different mediums can give rise to innovative works

 

DIWO is also regarded as a cutting-edge, versatile, and ‘socially informed’ initiative able to loosen up traditional infrastructural ties and frameworks. Not only does it provide a platform for collaborations between different artists and mediums, but it also exists within ‘mainstream culture’ and ‘networked shadows’, catering to the needs of a wide demographic. By practising DIWO, we can therefore, push the boundaries of creation, where we are encouraged to ‘changing the defaults’, thereby ‘changing the rules’ and opening up more possibilities. 

Personally, I feel that DIWO is a beneficial platform for us, especially as art students. With a space dedicated to the idea of ‘openness’, where we are encouraged to share ideas and knowledge across a vast range of mediums with like-minded people, and where there are materials and tools ‘open to all’, available for re-editing and redistribution, not only does it make learning experiences more convenient and easily accessible, but it also serves as an outlet of inspiration. With a wider access to newer technologies, we gain new knowledge as well as adopt new methods and ideas in further developing our projects, making way for more innovative works in future.

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[Assignment 1] Foam Modelling

Final

To help us better understand foam modelling, we were tasked to create a model of a phone dock with speakers using foam.

Final product: Phone dock with speakers and charging port

My foam model is based on using organic shapes to form more a unconventional phone dock and speaker structure.  I wanted to experiment with using methods in forming organic shapes as opposed to geometric ones. 

Final product: Front view
Final product: Phone holder
Final product: Speaker
Final product: Top view

Process

Ideation

Ideation for the phone dock with speakers first began with conceptualising. Recalling the methods of ideation taught in class (ideation by functions or features, ideation by themes and keywords, reference to unrelated objects, and focusing on aesthetic qualities), I first did a mind map to come up with ideas for a phone dock. The ideas were categorised according to the different ways in which we were taught ideation in class. 

Ideation mind map

After a session of brainstorming, I looked to websites such as Pinterest and Design Inspiration for more ideas on different shapes and functionalities I can use for the phone dock. Looking through existing products and mock-ups, there were many phone docks and speakers that emphasised on functionality and aesthetic quality. 

Reference images

Personally, I really liked the aesthetic quality of organically-shaped phone docks with wooden finishes. I thought the dual functionality as a phone dock with a charging port and speakers coupled with holders for containing small objects (such as coins and keys) was also quite interesting and would be extremely beneficial for users. I also quite liked the ‘industrial’ and ‘vintage’ looking products where simple geometric shapes were used with materials such as metal rods and wooden finishes. I also came across products that functioned as organisers, and the fact that they were collapsible and could be rearranged or stacked on top of one another were interesting and unique. 

Preparation

In preparation of creating our foam models, we were first taught various methods of cutting and carving foam to form different shapes, both geometric and organic. We used methods such as using the wire cutter, where we could angle the wires to cut different shapes (e.g. cones), and pen knives. We also learnt that organic shapes with many edges can be cut out of foam simply by pasting a thick sheet of paper (of the same shape) onto the foam before using the wire cutter. This method especially came in handy when trying to cut perfect circles! 

After conceptualising and looking at reference images online, we were then tasked to do up some orthographic drawings for the foam model. 

These drawings and sketchings helped in identifying the parts needed to form the phone dock, their respective dimensions, and their overall shapes. With this, it was easier to plan the methods and tools needed for cutting the foam, as well as the sizes, to attain the needed shapes. 

Model-Making

At first, with the intention of using wood (paper that resembled wood, in this case) and metal as the materials, I wanted to create a model that was simple and slick, with a rustic finishing. However, due to the nature of my sketch and the foam itself, the model would not be able to hold the weight of a phone. Therefore, I went with a model that focused more on using organic shapes and unconventional aesthetic qualities of designing speakers. 

The process included first cutting out two cones. The cones were cut using the wire cutter with angled wires. The base and ledge were also cut with the wire cutters. Details such as the concave phone holder and opening for charger were carved using a penknife. The speaker area was also carved using a penknife. The foam was later filed using pieces of sandpaper for a smoother finish and better transition between separated segments. 

Challenges

  • Ideation was a challenge as I wanted to base my phone dock on aesthetic quality and dual-functionality, but it was challenging in creating a model based solely on foam and creating collapsible organisers was especially difficult in carving out openings of appropriate sizes. 
  • Working with foam itself is also a challenge. I had to be especially careful with cutting as the slightest movement could cause a sudden jolt in the overall shapes. Filing the foam would also sometimes cause it to be flakey and uneven, unless it was done gently.