Categories
interaction lab recitations

Serial Communication

task #1 

So, I didn’t have much issues with completing the first task as it was mostly just using two codes and putting them together. (just mapping the numbers I get from the potentiometers with the width/height of the screen and then these were the coordinates of a position of a circle)

and then I had to just manipulate code so that i will have global variables that store previous position (x1 and y1) and create a line with the current coordinates (x0 and y0). both of them update every loop.

the Processing code is the following:

import processing.serial.*;
import osteele.processing.SerialRecord.*;
Serial serialPort;
SerialRecord serialRecord;
float x2 = 0;
float y2 = 0;
void setup() {
  size(500, 500);
  String serialPortName = SerialUtils.findArduinoPort();
  serialPort = new Serial(this, serialPortName, 9600);
  // If the Arduino sketch sends a different number of values, modify the number
  // `2` on the next line to match the number of values that it sends.
  serialRecord = new SerialRecord(this, serialPort, 2);
  background(0);
}
void draw() {
  serialRecord.read();
  int value1 = serialRecord.values[0];
  int value2 = serialRecord.values[1];
  float x1 = map(value1, 0, 1023, 0, width);
  float y1 = map(value2, 0, 1023, 0, height);
  stroke(255);
  line(x2, y2, x1, y1);
  x2 = x1;
  y2 = y1;
}

for the Arduino it was “SendMultipleValues” example. 

task#2 

for the second task I had to play around with the code a bit. I decided not to send two variables from processing but to send only 1 that would say wether the ball reached the right side or the left side (otherwise it would not send anything). And then based on that the Arduino would activate the right servo. 

I had issues with it at first as apparently Processing doesn’t like “-1” as a number to send. and “0”. so i had to change those for “1” and “2” eventually (professor told me that feature of Processing). it also doesn’t like delay() function.

I didn’t do the FullScreen() thing, but I don’t think that it would be a problem as I would only need to change one thing. (add the fullscreen())

anyway, after I fixed that, everything was fine and the thing worked perfectly:

Arduino code:

#include "SerialRecord.h"
#include <Servo.h>

// Change this number to the number of values you want to receive
SerialRecord reader(1);
Servo myservo;
Servo myservo2;
int pos = 0;



void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  myservo.attach(9);
  myservo2.attach(10);
}

void loop() {
  if (reader.read()) {
    if (reader[0] == 2) {
      myservo.write(180);
      delay(100);
      myservo.write(0);
    } else if (reader[0] == 1) {
      myservo2.write(180);
      delay(100);
      myservo2.write(0);
    }
  }
  //delay(20);
}

Processing code:

import processing.serial.*;
import osteele.processing.SerialRecord.*;
float acceleration = 5;
float ballsize = 30;
float y = height/2;
float x = width/2;
int where = 0;

Serial serialPort;
SerialRecord serialRecord;

void setup() {
  size(1000, 600);

  String serialPortName = SerialUtils.findArduinoPort();
  serialPort = new Serial(this, serialPortName, 9600);

  // In order to send a different number of values, modify the number `2` on the
  // next line to the number values to send. In this case, the corresponding
  // number in the Arduino sketch should be modified as well.
  serialRecord = new SerialRecord(this, serialPort, 1);
}

void draw() {
  background(0);
  circle(x, height/2, ballsize);
  if (x + ballsize/2 > width) {
    acceleration *= -1;
    where = 1;
  } else if (x - ballsize/2 < 0) {
    acceleration *= -1;
    where = 2;
  } else {
    where = 0;
  }

  x+= acceleration;
  if (where != 0) {
    serialRecord.values[0] = where;
    serialRecord.send();
    println(where);
  }
}


Categories
prototyping documentation rapid prototyping

Fusion 360 experiments

Throughout this week we have been going through people’s projects and experimenting with Fusion 360. During a couple of lessons, I did not have access to CAD, however, if that was the case, I have been rewatching some parts later and implementing the stuff discussed. I will upload some pictures of my results/problems here.

  1. the first week’s mug: 

Then,  I was truly amazed by the almost infinite possibilities of textures, colors, and shapes! No negative emotions were experienced.

2. The next one I have done is Billie’s project. I have repeated everything our professor did during the lesson! (god bless zoom recordings!)

3. The lesson where we looked at mine:

This is just extrusion experimentation. 

Categories
final project interaction lab

(three) project proposals

I already mentioned two of my ideas in my previous blogpost, however here i will expand on the strongest idea (as I have already discussed it with a professor) a bit more and provide some sketches. I will discuss three ways in which I am thinking of building this project. 

first, general description:

  1. “Screaming Gallery” 
  2. A place where one can create an artwork using their voice. The purpose of the installation is to reimagine ways to create art and highlight the beauty of uniqueness each of us possesses. Wether it is a uniqueness of one’s voice or the way one could create art. 

The installation going to include a relatively secluded space where the intimacy is reinforced and one can feel free to use (voice analysis) technology to create an artwork using their voice. Inside the space there are going to be some buttons that provide some additional control over what and when is being drawn. The room is going to be equipped with Neopixel matrix/strip that are going to guide a person through the experience and reflect what is being drawn. Outside there is going to be shown a projection of the artwork person is creating on the inside (when the drawing is in process) and when the drawing is done, their artwork is going to be added to the collage of all the artworks created and projected on the surface of the installation or just shown on the computer on the pedestal. 

the three options:

Here, there are three ways all of this could be done:

first way

1. Color  – frequency

2. Position – depends on the time (the running “progress” line going parallel to Y axis and perpendicular to X axis)

3. Shape – controlled with a button (chosen by a person)

4. Size – volume

second way

1. Color – volume

2. Position – chosen randomly (blinking LED indicates the current position)

3. Shape – randomly

4. Size – frequency

third way

1. Color palette – chosen

2. Position – “Progress line”/random

3. Shape – randomly

4. Size – frequency

All of these ways have their upsides and downsides. Throughout the next week I am going to start coding the Processing code and implementing voice analysis to figure out the best way to move forward. 

Some sketches:

Categories
rapid prototyping weekly design discussions

Mark Newson’s designs

Write your post this week on your opinion of Newson’s work. How would you describe him as a designer? What from your research is your favorite and least favorite piece of design work from Newson?

I believe Newson takes an interesting approach to color, shapes, and techniques of manufacture when thinking about his pieces.

He designs so much stuff: from airplane’s first-class interiors to bunk beds and kitchen utilities. He also designs luggage bags and perfume bottles (in collaboration with Louis Vitton). Pens, vases, furniture, you name it! 

I wouldn’t say that all of his works represent the same aesthetic, however, it would be only fair to mention that a lot of them do. I would also notice that his aesthetic reminds me of some of Henry Matisse’s art with its colorful weird fluid-like shapes. (especially if you look at Newson’s earlier works).

He mentions:

  • travel 
  • Australia (culturally embedded habit of travel)
  • jewelry! the least esoteric (they taught skills much more than in other arts departments)
  • scale!!!! for him, it is a very big thing in his designs
  • he believes that there is a universal approach to designing stuff, so it does not really matter what exactly are u designing, the approach is what matters. different scales, and different materials, but the same process.

I believe that the idea that every designer should be preoccupied with the idea of creating something that would sustain the test of time is very interesting. Indeed, a lot of designs we use in day-to-day life were invented quite a long time ago. Of course, some of them were also reinvented and “polished”, however, their functionality and purpose generally stay unchanged. 

The matter of scale in design is also something we discussed in regard to prototyping. Really, if you think about it, designing something that is appropriate to the scale is quite important, in the early stages as well, as allows a designer to gain comprehensive feedback from the audience (in terms of usability and some features). 

My favorite invention that is listed on his website is probably in between these two:

and

Categories
final project interaction lab

preparatory research and analysis

I really liked this “Iamascope” project as it has this element of anticipation: what kind of pattern will it produce when i stand there?? this is very interesting as even though a person does have a certain control over the displayed pattern, there are still some computer-generated details that seem unpredictable hence exciting! Moreover, the music as well adds on to that unpredictability and excitement that comes with interacting with the object. 

Also I realized that my midterm project was similar to Jigsaw in a sense that it was the third type (dynamic – interactive). I mean, of course, we could have done a bit more in terms of various responses, however the intention was there 🙂

Anyway, I digress. 

Some ideas that I have generated while reading:

  • games for people: not sure if i will move forward with any kind of game (in terms of a game that requires 2+ people), however i have an idea of using LEDs and sounds (as well as some sensors maybe to record what people do (I was thinking about giving people the area to completely cover by stepping on it and then who does it faster – wins). So like the shade would be like a drawing force on the floor/wall at which the light is directed. (maybe not shade, maybe it could be some thing that resembles a pen or like a VR thing)
    • attraction: bright LEDs on the floor, cool installation
    • sustaining: competition element
    • relation: want to win again/try again – winning should be quite rewarding
  • “screaming gallery”: build a cardboard box that would have led all over it. Invite a person inside and then maybe it could be a screaming-drawing machine! and then on the outside of the box there would be a projectory of the artwork that a person is “screaming” inside. (some ideas not to forget: add a time limit/stop button, buttons to switch the color of the thing, save all the artworks and display as a collage when no one is in there, can i use projector? maybe add an option to send out the artwork (the name could be put in)) should it be LEDS that the person is drawing on? or maybe the color is going to depend on the position where the person stands/the volume of their scream? (on idea is to divide spaces on the floor corresponding to the areas on the screen? and then each person just going to show the color)
    •  
    •  
    • attraction: cool room, LEDs, maybe some attractive sins
    • sustaining: a person creates its own artwork using unconventional way (they are curious how it works, what are they going to end up with
    • relating: people might want to create different types of artwork
        • so, for this project I am struggling with, of course, finalizing what mechanisms imma be using to draw (is the drawing going to be LED matrix? or should be the whiteboard? How a person going to position where to paint

these two ideas are utilizing “ambient” approach described by Edmond (16). 

both of them are “varying” and “influencing” artworks. 

Shaping Forms by Ernest Edmond is a big one, of course. It is mentioned in the book and, surely, my ideas have a certain similarity to it. 

also the idea that “engagement can grow with experience”. indeed, if the engagement is successfully sustained in the process of interaction, the initial attraction might not be as important. gon note that,