Preparatory Research and Analysis
When I was at the Chronus exhibition, many of the designs and spacing reminded me of non-technological art exhibitions such as the “Goldenrod” exhibition downstairs (See Figure 1). The Chronus exhibition was similar in how the projects led to more different projects (you cannot just view and understand them all at the same time). For example, when you entered there was the machine with claw like black tubes that went towards you if you were close enough, and you had to go through a hallway to see the rest of the projects. And they all just provided an abstract feeling where you had to analyze a description or really take a deep look at the project to understand it’s use or message. An example was the wooden structure, that represented a reverse computer where the middle was being controlled by outside movements (See Figure 2). From afar it seems to be a nest or a cage, but after spending a few minutes and seeing how each outside part controlled the red strings inside gave me this idea of how it represented a reverse computer (reverse because the outside controls the inside). Similarly, in the art gallery downstairs there were two dioramas that made little to no sense when I first saw them, but after exploring the exhibition I found out that they were created by students and faculty to portray a campus displaying a coexistence between NYU Shanghai students and nature.
And this difference was what I found to be an essential component of interaction, one that I will focus on creating for the final. That is, I want the viewer to spend time analyzing my project and really testing it out to see how different uses of it will create different outcomes.
For my 1st idea of my project, I wanted to create something where the user interacts with the computer and an Arduino project. I looked up games you could create with processing and I came across the “Duck hunt Banner” which was playable on the web browser.
Here is the link to play it: https://www.openprocessing.org/sketch/521767
However, I want to go further on my final project by creating a game that, of course, you can win or lose, but I would have an Arduino created robotic arm to turn to a thumbs down when you lost.
An example of an Arduino Robotic Arm can be seen here: https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/msr048/robotic-arm-62c4c2
So vice versa, if you won it would turn into a thumbs up.
Although these are two ideas, I think it would be interesting to combine them into one single idea since we can use Processing to animate and Arduino to have physical interaction. I would of course also include a speaker or buzzer to signal a win or loss, and this project would have further added ons to create a stronger experience when won or lost.
For my 2nd Idea of my project I got an idea from these two projects:
Coke Can Piano: https://codeduino.com/projects/music/coke-can-piano/
Arduino Based MIDI Volume Pedal: https://codeduino.com/projects/music/arduino-based-midi-volume-pedal/
My idea is to create a sort of DJ booth using something abstract for the piano keys and having a custom created knob for the level of notes. The piano keys would something similar to Coke cans, like buttons.. or something cool enough like small circles with infrared sensors inside, that when you put your hand over it a certain sound plays. And the custom knob would be on the side of these to control the notes. More specifically, if I turned the knob it would play C3 instead of C4 on the same circle (with the infrared sensor). The second project describes the issues with volume control on an Arduino, and having the knob change the volume was one of my first ideas. Even though it does not have the features of a perfect DJ setup, I think it would be an interesting project.
For my 3rd Idea, it was a branch out idea from the second.
I was thinking of creating the same concept, with the circles and infrared sensors, except for drum beats. This, although is really similar, differs in the notes being played. Since drum beats do not have many sounds there would be less circles. And since drum beats are more repetitive it would be easier for the user to play around. I would use MP3 players or a buzzer for each individual drum sound.
Going back to the definition of interaction from these 3 projects, I think that they should all include some sort of mystery and randomness for the user. It of course much incorporate the project reacting from something the user did, such as putting his/her hand on top of the infrared sensor and it giving out different sounds. However, the project should also allow the user to test it out and analyze it to find out how to use it to maximum efficiency.
Appendix
Figure 1: (Diorama in “Goldenrod”)
Figure 2: (Video of Wooden Computing Machine