Author: es4515

Posted on

W3: ML5.JS – Eva

Writing my first independent code was a very enriching experience, and although for this assignment I was not able to execute a working web-page, through this documentation I want to go through my learning experiences – as I am now aware of how to approach a task as such. When it comes to code, it either works or it does not. Coming from an art background, I am constantly in the mind-frame that – everything works no matter the flaws. 

  1. First, I would like to highlight my initial miscommunication with myself – I was so adamant on executing the syleTransfer() function – I completely disregarded the fact that coding is a skill, and as you practice it – it becomes more fluid. Me, on the other hand, having no coding experience at all, began with a very difficult task. In the begging of the week I managed to get help on a few lines of code, and thought that I will be able to finish it. From this initial code, I got a lot more familiar with the basics and was able to practice by trail and error. This is something I am still very adamant on executing in the future – so I will most defiantly be coming back to this in the next few weeks.
  2. As I decided to launch something a little bit more simple, I decided to test out the imageClassifier(). I here acknowledge my second issue – since the code was significantly more simple that the styleTransfer() I’ve been testing, I really wanted to get it to work on my own. I realised that this semester, especially with the two coding classes that I am in, I must ask for help, and I mustn’t let the code to just be inserted into my program – I actually need to ask and comprehend what is being written. I also had to work through my own approach to this type of digital communication, which has re-circuited the way I understand the concept of a “programming language”. 
  3. Now in step-by-step instructions, I will explain what I did for the ml5.js assignment, why it did not work as planned, and what my goals are for the future. 
    1. Created a folder on the desktop called “imgclassification”
    2. Folder hosts: imgs (a folder with the images I want to classify), index.html, sketch.js, (and I was running a style.css also, but had to take it out in the final stages because I had programmed elements that were confusing me, and the code did not work, so I chose to test if deleted it would help)
    3. My original idea was to classify flags, and after I had some more practice with ImageNet (where the MobileNet was sourcing the photos), I realised there was not enough input on flag related imagery. I decided to select an array of animal photos that all had similarities: in terms of colour, or fur patterns. It would be really cool to see the probability change from a wolf/ to a dog. I wanted to focus in on seeing what features would be selected and identified. – **** see once again, I am getting ahead of myself, and forgetting my capabilities by replacing them with aspirations (I still have the aspirations, I just hope to visit them later on when I have more practice)!
    4. I was able to utilise the resources from example code provided by ml5 – but in this stage I could not manage to source my own photo album into the code. So I started from scratch once again. 
    5. At this point I had mastered how to do the local served cd, and have it run on the web. I also managed to create my canvas.
    6. Where my knowledge lacked was the ability to adapt the example code into my own program – because I have to admit I wanted to do way more that I was able to in this stage on my learning. 
    7. I had the code running of classification/ and probability, and separately I had a code running which would display my photos. But I could not get the classifier to classify the photos from my folder.

(I had began a brand new set up (folder, index, etc) six times, which I will not do again. I cannot just toss and restart every time one line of code does not work…) 

(another thing was linking the libraries, I had experimented with the online cloud link of p5, and the downloaded libraries – once again the sourcing how to link to this was a process)

Through this assignment I 1) got a lot more familiar with the basics of writing code; 2) realised that I really enjoy this process, and I will not give up even if I cannot get it done perfectly; 3) it is okay to ask for help, and that does not mean I am less capable; 4) for the future, I now have a reference of the process how to approach a task as such; 5) although I was devastated to the point of frustration, I learned a lot not just about code, but my own work etiquette and how it should be improved to prevent such reactions. 

I am not proud that I could not deliver, but this task has sparked a new flame of curiosity and has most defiantly motivated me to keep trying. 

A DIFFERENT APPROACH:

With programming, I realised that I must start very simple and build it up – rather than having a grand idea (as if it was an art project) and being satisfied if you achieve even half. The relationship between technology, art, and myself is flourishing – and I am very excited to work through this in the IMA community. 

(adding more screenshots**)

Posted on

W3: “Design Thinking and Sustainability” – Eva

“Design has the power to change our perception, action, and mind-set” says Hethorn, thus suggesting the extent of focus that should be targeted at its craftsmanship. It is also essential to put this into perspective of the ones wearing the design, “imagine a world where everyone is wearing clothes that fit well”. Reading Laura’s response to how she crafts her product highlighted a key detail: “paying close attention to what’s trending WITHIN our design model”. The idea of being able to provide for a specific targeted group cultivates from ethnographic understanding of the location, culture, habits. Understanding whats visually attracting (to the targeted audience) and also being able to classify it at ‘comfortable’ seems like the perfect recipe,  although other ingredients such as money stir this mix. The statement that comfortable clothes are maintained longer could not be more true from my experience. On multiple occasions I can recall extending the life of a favourite hoodie, or some comfy jeans even up to a couple of years after it seems to be wearing out of shape. It’s not the brand name on the front that made me do this, it was the design of the clothing that I got so attached to. I also found it very interesting that “clothing – often relies on the feedback from consumers for much of the information about quality and use problems”, which seems to be logical and thus I was surprised I had never considered it. I almost felt that the Fashion Industry made up all of these wacky trends and subconscious pushed it onto us, but considering that feedback is an essential element – I am restructuring the way I think about the Industry as a whole. Bottom line, the consumer is at the end of the production pipeline, and thus they have the ability to chose. We as consumers can make decisions that will not only be self- centred but will be better for our environment also.

Posted on

Recitation 2. Arduino Basics by Eva

Instructor: Marcela

Partner: Issac

FADE

By using the  analogWrite() function we were able to manipulate the light output of the LED, making it fade in and out. The code instructions we put in through the computer determined the speed and interval times.  This happened because when the PWM value is being increased from 0 to 255 and than back to 0 again,- looping the fade.  We also explored the fadeAmount command which seemed to work without error as the circuit was connected properly. This exercise was successful as my partner and I made sure to work attentively from the beginning, double checking each step multiple times before activating the test run. (My apologies, the video format for this recitations materials got distorted, I have attached pictures, and my partner will potentially share them on his post)

TONE

By using the command tone() we were able to input instructions that activated a sound melody through the speaker which was connected on the Breadboard, once the Arduino is reset. The familiar melody played each time we clicked the red button on the Arduino. The very simple connection was easy to follow and did not cause any delays in the making. 

RACE THE LED

Our initial reaction to this task was to set up a system of how we will recreate this design. We decided to work from the left – to – the right (: 1) connected Breadboard Top Power to Power // 2) Breadboard Power to Arduino Power 5V (Analog) // 3) placed the Left button // 4) B Ground to A Ground (Analog) // 5) L Resistor // 6) 10 Resistor to 10 (Digital) // 7) L Resistor to to B Ground // 8) LED on Breadboard // 9) Led to A 2 (Digital) // 10) LED to Resistor // 10) 220 Resistor to B Ground // 11) speaker + speaker to B Ground ——- and then replicated on the Right side.) We ran into a problem once the code was imported because nothing was happening on the Arduino. What we don’t realised is that just like any other game, we had to “click play” or set up to play (as the computer cannot read human mind (as for now)), once we knew how to open the output sourcing window to begin the game, the circuit worked flawlessly. It was especially rewarding seeing this design fully functioning as we really tuned our focus in precision when creating it – which payed off. We played a few rounds, and even connected the arcade buttons to experience the game with a different interactive aspect. I personally preferred the small button  on the Breadboard to the arcade ones, mostly because my partner was too good in his reactions with the arcade buttons and I could not light my LED with them even once! I have also sketched out the schematic for this circuit bellow.

QUESTIONS

  • Reflect how you use technology in your daily life and on the circuits you just built.

For this question I would actually like to reflect how my introduction to IMA has transformed my relationship and approach to technology. Never could I have imagined that art and computing could create in such a harmonious balance. I now appreciate technology and have also learned to detach from it, because it is so simple to lose ourselves in the Digital Age when every action or reaction is influenced in one way or another – by technology. It is essential to realise what information and practices are useful and exercise the brain, and what is click-bated waste. Building these circuits is really fine tuning my logical comprehension of technology; I began understanding how the currency of electricity/power flows – which all just reconfirm my own speculations on the the global world being very closely interlinked.  It is very interesting to find metaphorical analogies between the recitation practices and existential life questions. My relationship with technology is rapidly changing ever since I began my higher education, and I am excited to see how I will be able to use technology to create onwards. 

  • If you have 100,000 LEDs of any brightness and color at your disposal, what would you make and where would you put it?

Interestingly enough I was recently fantasising about an LED light bulb project and I would like to share: So the LEDs would set up a display/ wall, a user would approach the wall, get picked up by video sensors, and after I train the AI program to light up the distinctive figure, by replicating its movement, I would like to explore it a step further, where the LEDs somehow incorporate StyleTransfer techniques to create colour patterns, the user would be able to select a function where there inputed manoeuvres would stay on the display after they have changed positions – which would allow a sort of art in the making progression, maybe the user created design could than be saved and forwarded (maybe the StyleTransfer comes in here, so after the exhibition the user would go home to open their emails and see how their inputed design was modified by the AI algorithm).  Truthfully speaking I cannot quite conceptualise the number 100,000 in the context of LEDs just quite yet, therefore I would like to continue exploring this idea. 

Posted on

W3: “Eco-tech” – Eva

Although lengthy, the article “Eco-tech Fashion: Rationalizing Technology in Sustainable Fashion” was very captivating. From the very first example Scaturro introduced, about bamboo behind the “facade of ‘naturalness’ “,  the author broke down my preconceived ideas of ecofashion by providing context which allowed for reflection. The noted transformation of ecofashion was described as “forward-thinking, style-driven, and fundamentally technology-focused”. This description really intrigued me, especially as we acknowledge the introduction of technology with fashion. The role of the Digital Age influence is very rapidly spreading globally in all fields from medicine, to politics, to arts, and so on- therefore it is very important to keep track of its imprints. Just as the author explains, it is easy to only recognise the surface as the full story and dismiss the technicalities. That is how consumers fall into mass mentality and shun deeper investigation. I am realising the extent of focus that is targeted at the consumer, especially as the consumer is most often unaware of the efforts. This reading is helpful in our development of the final project, as we are able to take the conclusion in to consideration (“By rationally exploiting both the material and digital manifestations of technology to achieve an ethical and sustainable ideal, eco-tech fashion succeeds in pushing the entire fashion system forward towards a promising future.”) which  directly targets the attention towards long-term impact.