Physical Computing

Physical Computing: Serial Communications

October 6, 2013 by michellechandra in Physical Computing

For the first Serial Communications lab, I decided to test out a small Force Resistor. Here is my setup:

Here is a screenshot of the Force Resistor values graphed: → Read more

Physical Computing: Tone Output, Servo Motor, and Transistor Labs

October 6, 2013 by michellechandra in Physical Computing

Physical Computing has been feeling foreign/abstract still so I decided to dedicate Thurs – Sunday to reviewing concepts and labs as much as possible.

I read the first couple chapters of “Physical Computing” by Dan O’Sullivan and Tom Igoe, which was super helpful in making the material less abstract. I was also able to borrow Make: Electronics, Making Things Move and Fashioning Technology from the New School, ’twas super easy.

It was helpful in last class to team up with Fletcher and use the flex sensor to create sound from a speaker, as I otherwise didn’t know how to attach the sensor to my breadboard, and check the range.

Wish I had taken a video of our tone output lab!

→ Read more

One Day, This Will All Make Sense

September 28, 2013 by michellechandra in Creative Process, Physical Computing

I think it’s interesting how our emotional state affects our abilities and perception of reality. While Norman’s “Emotional Design” focuses on how our emotional state affects our ability to use products, all I could think about after reading the first chapter is how our emotional state affects our ability to be creative and generate ideas.

Norman explains that creative thinking requires being in a positive mood in order to make connections across ideas and space. A positive frame of mind broadens one’s thought processes, allowing one’s thoughts to follow many paths and tangents.

Creativity (and the act of generating ideas!), at least for myself, requires that I be willing to be silly and playful. When I walk around taking photos, I know I probably look strange because 99% of the time I am learning over a wall photographing some mundane water fountain for an hour. I generally figure I am on the right track if no one else follows suit. → Read more

Programming Arduino/Leonardo to control LEDs and Mouse

September 21, 2013 by michellechandra in Physical Computing

Lab One: Use switch on breadboard to toggle on red and yellow LED. Controlled by Arduino and microcontroller.

Would be great to review the code controlling the LED as we haven’t reviewed loops yet in Processing!

Red, Yellow, Red, Yellow

Lab Two: Potentiometer dims red LED via Arduino and microcontroller → Read more

What is Physical Interaction?

September 14, 2013 by michellechandra in Physical Computing

What defines physical interaction, and what makes for good physical interactive experiences? In The Art of Interactive Design, Chris Crawford defines interaction as a conversation with two actors who “listen, think and speak.” Physical interaction involves a give and take, and is not simply a reaction (for example, a viewer watching a movie) or participation (a couple dancing).

In “A Brief Rant on the Future of Interaction Design,” Bret Victor defines physical interaction in opposition to this video (produced by Microsoft) that envisions a future in which perfect happy people living in sterile environments (a la Ikea) passively swipe screens to interact with each other. Throughout the video, every need and desire is met in a homogenized manner – apparently, things don’t go wrong, and chaos does not exist.

Victor defines tools as objects that amplify human capabilities. He outlines the many capabilities of the human hand, and questions a future in which tactility is left behind for tools that are “Pictures Under Glass” and involve minimal human interaction (largely, swiping a screen). To Victor, this future fails to take advantage of the myriad capabilities of the human hand. → Read more

Fantasy Device: Infinite Container

September 10, 2013 by michellechandra in Physical Computing

Yesterday was my first Physical Computing class at ITP. In similar ITP fashion, it was of course amazing. Sam Lavigne, Saki Ichikawa and I were tasked with prototyping a fantasy device. We decided to dream up an Infinite Container!

At first, we were struggling with the physical limitations of reality and an infinite container. How big is the container? Is it made of a special fabric that can expand and collapse? Once you place an object inside, how would you find it again?

Then we realized we needed to think of the “container” as a metaphor. We realized we needed to dream up a fantastical technology that could scan and digitize an object, but also regenerate the object again. Voila! Infinite Container!

The Infinite Container is designed to look like any old ho-hum-drum shopping bag (a la Whole Foods) in order to make scanning discrete.