Throughout this semester, I had the opportunity to work on several projects that showcased the transformation of the visual design into interactive experiences and transformative systems. These projects were designed to demonstrate the different ways in which visual communication can be applied to create engaging and dynamic digital experiences. As a result of these experiments, I was able to push the boundaries of digital art and explore new creative avenues.
During the course of the semester, I had the opportunity to participate in four different workshops that covered a wide range of topics, including Creative Coding, Projection Mapping, Making, and Physical Computing. On this website, you will find a collection of process documentation and deliverables that were created by myself or in small teams of up to three people. These projects represent a tangible record of my creative process and the evolution of my skills in computational design. Throughout the workshops, we were encouraged to think outside the box and explore unconventional approaches to bring our ideas to life.
This workshop, conducted by Andreas Schlegel, looks at the creative application of code in the design process. In the workshop, we were tasked with creating a project that revolves around nature encounters, giving us the freedom to choose our own subject of nature and interpret it using various techniques. Among the four prompts - sound, motion, pattern, and imaginary - I was particularly drawn to the potential of creating augmented reality in the imaginary prompt. My goal was to create an immersive and interactive experience using 3D objects that can be visualized through mobile phones.
As a team of three, we chose the moon as our inspiration for the "Nature Encounters" project. We were drawn to the moon because it symbolizes constant change, much like nature, and is driven by forces beyond our control. Its phases and seasons make it a compelling subject for exploration. The intention was to create imaginary objects that would represent the similarities between the moon and our natural selves in an abstract way. We believe that, like the moon, we too are subject to forces beyond our control and experience highs and lows in life. We hope to convey the message that it is normal to experience vulnerability and fluctuation in our lives.
Tools used: Visual Studio, Blender
Link to external outcomes, Augmented Reality
The "Nature Encounters" theme is open to a wide range of creative ideas and narratives, but the process of creating 3D objects can be technically demanding. As a beginner in using 3D software, we encountered challenges in optimizing the file size of our objects for mobile viewing. Consequently, the final appearance of the objects differed from the original design, taking on a delicate and complex texture that looked more like plastic than metal as we had intended. Nonetheless, we found the resulting natural aesthetic of the objects visually appealing and effective in conveying our concept of fragility. Overall, we are satisfied with the outcome of our project and its ability to communicate our ideas in a meaningful and engaging way.
The "Making" workshop, led by Dhiya, provides an opportunity to explore the process of transforming code into a physical object. The central theme of the workshop was cosmic dust, and the focus was on using 3D space to generate 3D objects from a pre-existing code template. The process incorporated both digital aspects and crafting techniques to achieve the final output of the 3D objects. The workshop aimed to encourage participants to explore the interplay between virtual and physical space and develop a deeper understanding of digital spaces, from 2D to 3D, through a comprehensive workflow.
For my project, I decided to explore the relationship between cosmic dust and the meaning of life. The idea was to demonstrate how technology could extract these small particles and create a physical object, which could represent the essence of life in other parts of the universe. The narrative of the concept aimed to highlight the interconnectedness of all "Forms of Life" in the universe. The polygon was a symbolic representation of the heart, which acts as the core of our body and soul, representing the origin of living beings. Although the heart can also be interpreted as a symbol of love, my concept aimed to convey that it holds a much broader significance beyond just love.
Tools used: p5js, Blender, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
The workshop "Screens," led by Jo Ho, focuses on the art of projection mapping. During the workshop, my team of three individuals created an art installation that connects the themes of outer space and technology. Our goal was to create a calming experience for the audience by capturing the movement of stars through abstract visuals. Our installation was titled Stary Night, inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's painting of the same name. The painting and our project share a similarity in that they both aim to provide a sense of serenity through individual expressions.
To achieve our objective, we utilized projection mapping techniques to project abstract visuals of stars onto a physical installation consisting of geometric shapes. The projection mapping technique allowed us to manipulate and control the visuals in real time, creating an immersive experience for the audience. The only challenge we faced was reducing the file size of the visuals to be projected on the shape. Nonetheless, it was an incredible experience to share our narratives through this installation, demonstrating how technology can evoke emotions and connect themes from different artistic mediums.
Tools used: p5js, HandBrake, projector
The Play workshop, conducted by Jake Tan Zi Jie, focuses on physical computing as a means to interface between physical and digital spaces using Arduino. We are presented with the option to experiment with designs that transition from physical to digital or vice versa, exploring simple input and output mechanisms. The workshop's goal is to encourage us to apply design to physical applications for user interaction. It pushed us to be more experimental in innovating new techniques with utilizing the materials and tools.
Our project, titled "A Sense of Home" was designed to enable users to interact with light and capture the essence of day and night within a physical structure resembling a house. Despite encountering unforeseen obstacles, we learned valuable lessons from our mistakes. The challenges we faced taught us not only about operating with Arduino but also about simplifying visuals and shapes. To focus on creating the real experience for the users is the main objective of this workshop.
Tools used: p5js, Arduino, cardboard
"Computational design is not just a tool, it's a way of thinking."
by Neri Oxman
What have I learned over the course of this semester?
Throughout the semester, I have ventured out of my comfort zone by exploring novel techniques and materials in computation design. Initially, I had a low sense of confidence in myself. However, as I progressed through the workshops, I gained proficiency in diverse subjects and felt a sense of pride in the results. I was able to convey my ideas in a captivating manner to my peers. Additionally, this semester taught me the importance of teamwork and helped me to enhance my communication abilities while collaborating with others.Some of my most interesting findings this semester are?
During my process in experimenting, I found myself particularly drawn to creating augmented reality objects. The process of generating 3D shapes through programs and transforming them into tangible objects in real space was truly captivating. It was incredible to see how these digital designs could come to life and interact with the physical world. This experience has opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of bridging the gap between virtual and physical spaces.What are some of my achievements?
Throughout the process of creating the outcomes, I had an enriching experience. There were challenges and setbacks that accompanied every project, but the final results demonstrated how failures and successes are integral parts of the transformation of ideas into reality. I consider my most significant accomplishment to be the development of trust in the creative process, which nurtures the determination to persevere and keep moving forward.
