Category: Young

Week 1: Recitation Documentation – Young

Recitation 1: Electronics and Soldering

Instructor: Young

Partner: Kaycee Chen

Materials Used in Circuits:

• Breadboard – a device used for carrying and  connecting different materials 
• LM7805 Voltage Regulator – the components used to maintain voltage output 
• Buzzer – the out put, beep when working
• Push-Button Switch – the device used to control the current
• Arcade Button – another device used to control electrical flow through the circuit
• 220 ohm Resistor – used to limi the voltage that flows in the circuit 
• LED – out put, light up when electricity flows through
• 100 nF (0.1uF) Capacitor – used to protect the circuit 
• 10K ohm Variable Resistor (Potentiometer) – used to control the voltage that flows to the LED so as to control the brightness of the LED
• 12 volt power supply – supply the circuit
• Multimeter – can be used to test different information of different components
• Several Jumper Cables (Hook-up Wires) –used to connect different components

Circuit 1: Lamp

Components used:  Breadboard, LM7805 Voltage Regulator, Buzzer, Push Button Switch/Arcade Button, 100 nF (0.1uF) Capacitor, 12 volt power supply, Barrel Jack

This small model is the first project that I have ever completed. Though it is very simple, it helps me to get to know about how do different components works together and function properly. Our group actually met with several obstacles at first, the LED didn’t light up after several attempts. After turn to Instructor Young for help, he examine all the components one by one and told us there is something wrong with the breadboard. So we changed a new breadboard and eventually saw the light given out from the LED. The second time we rearrange our jumper cables in a more organized way because Instructor Young told us it will be easier to debug in this way and we finished it much faster than we did it the first time.

Circuit 2: Door Bell

Components used: Breadboard, LM7805 Voltage Regulator, Buzzer, Push-Button Switch/Arcade Button, 100 nF (0.1uF) Capacitor, 12 volt power supply, Barrel Jack, 220 ohm Resistor, LED

With the experience of the first circuit assembling, my partner and I made the second circuit much faster. However, the Buzzer didn’t beep no matter how we test it. We turn to Instructor Young again and after checking our circuit he told us to pay attention to the direction of the switch. We found it very tricky but there is still tiny difference in it so we rearrange it and succeeded. 

Circuit 3: Dimmable Lamp

Components used: Breadboard, LM7805 Voltage Regulator, Buzzer, Push-Button Switch/Arcade Button, 100 nF (0.1uF) Capacitor, 12 volt power supply, Barrel Jack, 10K ohm Variable Resistor (Potentiometer), LED 

After succeeded twice, we finished this one quickly and successfully. It is really proud to see the brightness of the LED being manipulated by us.

Since I have experience of connecting jumper cable in a competition I took part in during my high school, it wasn’t a difficulty for me. I finished efficiently and helped my partner.

Question 1:

The Lamp light up, the buzzer beeps, the brightness of the LED changed when we press the button or turn the Variable Resistor. It is a kind of interaction between the circuit that we built and us.

Question 2:

I think more controllable components or sensors that will respond to motion, heat etc. can be used to create the interaction Design and Physical Computing because interaction means the project must interact with human beings so these components are very necessary to a successful Interaction art.

Partner: Zhiqiu Wang

Instructor: Young

Circuit1： Door Bell

Components and their functions:

Push button: connect/disconnect the circuit to let the electric current pass/not pass to control the on/off of the speaker

12V power:  provide power for the whole circuit

Speaker: make sound

Capacitor: store electricity, let the electric current change slowly to protect the circuit

Wire: connect different components of the circuit

Voltage regulator: regulate voltage

Breadboard: fix all components and provide connections between them

The process of building the circuit:

At first, we’re confused because it was the first time for both me and my partner to use a breadboard. Therefore, we have to ask for help to figure out how this component worked. Things got more smoothly after we got familiar with the inner structure of the breadboard. We built the circuit and adjusted some of the wire under the guidance of professors, but to our disappointment, when we pushed the push button, the speaker didn’t make any sound. We together with professors tried to find the problem by testing each component of the circuit but failed to figure it out. Therefore, we picked another set of all components and test our circuit again. This time it worked.

Circuit 2: Lamp

Components and their functions:

12V power:  provide power for the whole circuit

Voltage regulator: keep the voltage at a stable number

Capacitor: store electricity, let the electric current change slowly to protect the circuit

Wire: connect different components of the circuit

Breadboard: fix all components and provide connections between them

Push button: connect/disconnect the circuit to let the electric current pass/not pass to control the on/off of the LED

LED: shine

220-ohm resistor: ensure the current is running within a safe range

The process of building the circuit:

Since the first circuit has provided us with some basic knowledge of how the breadboard works, we connected the whole circuit quickly and adjusted fewer than before since fewer mistakes took place. However, when we pushed the button, the LED didn’t light up as we expected. We still seek help from instructors but again, he couldn’t tell where was the problem thus we had to change another set again. Luckily, the LED light up in our second try.

Circuit 3: Dimmable Lamp

Components and their functions:

12V power:  provide power for the whole circuit

Voltage regulator: keep the voltage at a stable number

Capacitor: store electricity, let the electric current change slowly to protect the circuit

Wire: connect different components of the circuit

Breadboard: fix all components and provide connections between them

Push button: connect/disconnect the circuit to let the electric current pass/not pass to control the on/off of the LED

LED: shine

Variable resistor: change the resistance to change the amount of current

The process of building the circuit:

This time the process went quite well since we used the same set in circuit 2 so every component can be guaranteed working normally. And we only added a variable resistor. The brightness of LED can be witnessed changed obviously when we rotating the variable resistor.

Question 1:

After reading The Art of Interactive Design, in what way do you think that the circuits you built today include interactivity? Please explain your answer.

According to my understanding of The Art of Interactive Design, interactivity is two or more agents respond to each other’s action. This process includes first understanding the other’s action and then react to it and then flipping the order to form a loop. In our practice, I think the stitch shows this kind of interactivity because when people push the button, the circuit is closed and current flows to make the speaker or the LED works. It understands and responds to people’s action of pushing the button.

Question 2:

How can Interaction Design and Physical Computing be used to create Interactive Art? You can reference Zack Lieberman’s video or any other artist that you know.

Because interactive art is an activity relates more than one single agent. Therefore, the more controllable parts in the circuit, the more degree of interactivity it shows with people. We can build more components which can be adjusted or controlled by people into the circuit or any other physical computing program to increase the interactivity.

Recitation 1: Electronics & Soldering

Partner: Nathan Wang

Date: 15th February

Circuit 1: Doorbell

Components:

Breadboard, LM7805 Voltage Regulator, Push-Button Switch, speaker, 100 nF (0.1uF) Capacitor, 12-volt power supply, wire

Functions of each component:

LM7805 Voltage Regulator: maintain a constant voltage level.
Breadboard: provide a base for making electronic connections
Capacitor: stabilize and smooth the flow of electricity, store the current
Speaker: make sound
Switch: interrupt the flow of current through a circuit
Wire: enable the current to flow
12-volt power supply: supply power

The problem we encountered: At first we did not understand how the wires inside the breadboard are connected and work, which makes us do not know how to start. With the help of a learning assistant, we successfully compared the circuit diagram to the breadboard and made it.

Circuit 2: LED

Components: Breadboard, LM7805 Voltage Regulator, Push-Button Switch, 220-Ohm Resistor, LED, 100 nF (0.1uF) Capacitor, 12-volt power supply, wire

Functions of each component:

Breadboard: provide a base for making electronic connections
Resistor: control the flow of current, protect the LED from being burnt
Capacitor: stabilize and smooth the flow of electricity, store the current
LED: shine
Switch: interrupt the flow of current through a circuit
Wire: enable the current to flow
12-volt power supply: supply power

The problem we encountered: Our switch was broken at first, we put it into our circuit but it did not work for no reason. We checked our circuit over and over aging but still cannot light the led. Even the learning assistant could not figure out where the problem is. But luckily we found out that the switch was broken.

Circuit3:

Component: Breadboard, LM7805 Voltage Regulator, Push-Button Switch, 100 nF (0.1uF) Capacitor, 12-volt power supply, wire, Variable Resistor, LED

Functions of each component:

Breadboard: provide a base for making electronic connections
Resistor: control the flow of current, protect the LED from being burnt
Capacitor: stabilize and smooth the flow of electricity, store the current
LED: shine
Switch: interrupt the flow of current through a circuit
Wire: enable the current to flow
12-volt power supply: supply power
Variable Resistor: adjust the amount of resistance

Process:

We changed several components from the last circuit and successfully made it work.

Question 1:

I think the switches are the interactive part in our circuits. Because we can control the doorbell and lead by pushing the switch. This process includes input and output. We can get feedback from circuits by our motion input. That is a reciprocal process.

Question2:

In my opinion, for Interactive art, we need to address the reciprocal process in the physical computing design. Because interaction is at some rate a two-sided activity. Hence we can design circuits to be able to be controlled by using switches or variable resistors, which can provide different forms of interaction such as the speaker makes a sound and the LED is lighted.

Citlaly Weed

Electronics 

In circuit one we learned to start with the voltage(power) then going clockwise through the whole circuit. The objective was to click the button and there be a buzzing sound. We used a voltage regulator which is a system that maintains constant voltage throughout the circuit. Then we added a speaker so the noise could come out of somewhere, a switch to be able to activate the noise, connecting that to ground (a return path), and lastly connecting the power and ground lines with the capacitor which stores and release its energy much more rapidly. We got this circuit on the first try with guidance from Katie, our amazing guide, so it buzzed immediately.

IMG_8197.TRIM

In circuit two we tried to reproduce what we did in circuit one without the speaker and successfully added the right resistor which is used to reduce current flow, adjust signal levels, to divide voltages. Lastly, adding an LED which did turn on with the button on the first try.

IMG_8199

The third circuit is where we had some trouble being able to dim and brighten the LED (which was the objective). After adding the variable resistor/ potentiometer, an adjustable voltage divider, in between the resistor and the LED we could not figure out why it was not working. It was then pointed out to us that we had forgotten to connect the LED to the button. We plugged it in and then we were finally able to dim and brighten the LED.

IMG_8202

Question one:

After reading The Art of Interactive Design, in what way do you think that the circuits you built today include interactivity? Please explain your answer.

Question one answer:

The creation of the circuits was definitely a form of interaction because of the process of trying to connect wires and other things so once you input electricity into the circuit it would expel the desired output. There was also a more important form of interaction which was between my partner and I. The best example of interaction, given by the author of The Art of Interactive Design, as listening, thinking, and speaking. Without our communication through listening and sharing of ideas the conjoined building of the circuits would not be possible.

Question two:

How can Interaction Design and Physical Computing be used to create Interactive Art? You can reference Zack Lieberman’s video or any other artist that you know .

Question two answer:

Interaction Design and Physical Computing can be used to create Interactive Art in ways that are not only fun but inclusive. Such as in Zack Lieberman’s video where they think of not only design or the computing of the eye sensor so that an artist named Tempt could continue his tagging, but also the inclusivity of design included all sorts of people and price. The design and the physical computing does not have to be restricted to markable products, but something where people and decide to share the fun of art through another medium that is inclusively interactive.

Links Used

https://www.explainthatstuff.com/capacitors.html

Zach Lieberman: Interactive Artist

Partner: Mimi (Cai Shuyang)

Circuit 1:

Components: 1 Breadboard: serve as a platform on which we can plug things in.

                     1 Voltage Regulator: regulate the voltage so the circuit could be served with the correct voltage. (not 220V)

                     1 Capacitor: store and let out the electricity charge.

                     A few Hook up wires: connects other components.

1 Buzzer: it serves as the speaker so that the “doorbell” could ring.

                     1 Push button(switch): to connect the circuit to make the buzzer ring.

⬆️https://wp.nyu.edu/shanghai-ima-interaction-lab/category/recitations/

Process:

The first step was to connect the power source. However, we encountered some problems. Due to the reason that we were not adequately familiar with how the breadboard functioned, we connected it vertically instead of horizontally. In that way, we created a short circuit and that led to our first failure of attempt.

After seeking help from instructor Young, we understood how the metal things were connected inside the board and that the blue line stood for the same thing of “connecting to the ground” as the diagram on the website. After another attempt, we got it right and also positioned the capacitor correctly.

Another problem we’ve encountered was that we failed to connect the switch correctly to the circuit—we didn’t understand the reference on the web page and positioned it in the wrong direction. Again, with Young’s help, we got to know the right way to connect it.

Circuit 2:

 

⬅️https://wp.nyu.edu/shanghai-ima-interaction-lab/category/recitations/

Components: 1 breadboard, 1 voltage regulator, 1 capacitor, a few wires, 1 push button

             1 220-ohm Resistor: reduce the electric current so that the circuit would not be over-loaded.

              1 LED: it would give out light when the circuit is connected so the “lamp” could work.

Process: As the process of building the first circuit provided us some great and useful experience, the second one went quite smoothly without any trouble except for reorganizing the components so that they could all fit in the breadboard. We did it after several adjustments.

Circuit 3:

https://wp.nyu.edu/shanghai-ima-interaction-lab/category/recitations/

Components: breadboard, voltage regulator, capacitor, wires, push button, 220-ohm resistor

Variable Resistor: adjust the resistance of the circuit. In this circuit, we can use it to change the luminance of the LED so that the lamp could be dimmable.

Process: we did find it hard to figure out the right direction to position the variable resistor, but eventually we got it right by reading the instruction page and comparing the real component with the reference image.

Question 1:

          The interactivity that the circuit includes can be considered from two perspectives.

          First, a successful operation of the circuit is based on two condition: a person push the button and the circuit is correctly connected. From this point of view, this process includes two basic components of an interactive action: two actors and a process of alternatively exchanging signals. Though it is a low-level procedure seeing from the degree of interactivity, it does serve as a good start point for a beginner like me and could bring much joy.

       Second, there is a certain procedure of input-process-output during the operation, and that is: the operator giving an input signal to the circuit by pushing the button, the circuit being connected and deliver the electric charge, and it giving an output by lightening the LED or making noise using the buzzer.

       These processes make the circuit interactive.

Question 2:

       Basically, Interaction Design provides creative ideas while Physical Computing figures out the practical plans and turns them into reality.

       In everyday life, we are communicating with technology and interact with computer all the time without consciousness. According to Zack Lieberman, computing is also a form of art, a practical art which can help us turn virtual into reality. Considering that, interactive art is related to physical computing tightly. However, without creativity, computing is nothing more than just a vain skill. Interaction design is the core of the interactive art. It could provide the newest and the most thrilling ideas. We can only create interactive art by combining interaction design and physical computing and make good use of both.