NOC W01 – Harmonic Pulse
Link: https://editor.p5js.org/King-Raphael/sketches/yP0mxCC_RJ
Introduction
Harmonic Pulse is a generative art piece that visualizes a dynamic interplay of geometric transformations, color blending, and rhythmic motion. The composition consists of multiple layers that evolve over time to create an immersive and ever-changing visual experience. The primary elements include a rotating central rectangle, a fading gradient grid, randomly generated motion lines, and a pulsing central circle.
Features
- Rotating Central Rectangle: A rectangle at the center continuously rotates, with its width oscillating between predefined limits.
- Fading Gradient Grid: A grid of rectangles that smoothly transitions in opacity.
- Dynamic Motion Lines: Randomly generated lines appear and fade over time, which can enhance the sense of movement.
- Pulsing Central Circle: A circular shape expands and contracts in sync with a sine wave function, reinforcing rhythmic motion.
Technical Details
1. Rotating Rectangle
- I uses
rotate(angle)to continuously spin around the center. - The width shrinks until a threshold, then resets to its original size.
2. Fading Gradient Grid
- I use the
lerpColor()function to interpolate between two colors based on vertical position. - Fades in and out dynamically by modifying an alpha value (
fadeVal). - Slight random offsets (
random(-5,5)) are applied to each grid cell for a more organic look.
3. Dynamic Motion Lines
- A set of lines (
line(x1, y1, x2, y2)) is drawn at random positions. I use them to make some connections between the several layers so that they look more coherent. - Stroke width and transparency fluctuate for additional visual variation.
4. Pulsing Circle
- The radius is controlled using a sine function (
sin(frameCount * 2) * 50 + 100). - This creates a breathing-like effect, reinforcing the harmonic theme.
Reflections & Lessons Learned
Throughout the development of Harmonic Pulse, several insights were gained regarding generative art and interactive media. One of the key lessons was the importance of balancing randomness with structured patterns to create visually compelling compositions. As I designed, the use of blend modes significantly enhanced the depth and richness of the visuals and demonstrate how color interactions can be manipulated dynamically. Besides, experimenting with different motion parameters let me know the impact of subtle variations in speed and transparency on the overall aesthetic.
Future iterations of this project could explore ways to increase user engagement, such as incorporating real-time controls or external data inputs to influence the animation. These enhancements would further deepen the interactive nature of the piece, making it a more immersive experience.
Reference
Inspired by Christie’s / Gaillard © Bridget Riley 1989 from https://www.myartbroker.com/artist-bridget-riley/guides/bridget-rileys-5-most-famous-artworks