DSDN 142: Creative Coding

Project One


Final


After creating my first form, it wasn't that long until I was underway to creating an adaptable system. It was a fast and extensive process throughout making my 25 final forms. What I liked about the form I created was that once I tweaked it one little bit, it exploded into making several new ones whilst still keeping its identity.

DSDN 142: Creative Coding

Project One

This is the final shape that I have come up with and designed, it consist of 12 coded lines, creating 4 points with a cross in the middle. I will continue to experiment with the different variables and offsets to construct more adaptable forms within this first shape of mine. But I am happy with the final shape result that I ended up with. 

DSDN 112: Creative Coding

Project One Research Continued

I found this java script called "sea of lines" on open processing.org and I was fascinated by how much movement and varieties that this process had. It was all made by lines which were moving everywhere and anywhere together, and it gave me the idea of what shape to do for my project, one that was an adaptable form. A 4-pointed star. 

http://www.openprocessing.org/sketch/14085

I'm choosing to do this because just from thinking about it, I have already realized that it has edges that can extend, it could turn into a square shaped object, it can even be transformed around to change the shape completely. I have researched images of how stars (not specific to having 4 points) can be adapted and changed to suit it's purpose. These images I found pretty cool. 

DSDN 112: Project One

Research


So I went on and did experiments with the materials that I had previously mentioned. I Played around with 1.5mm cardboard, 3 types of sandpaper, rubber bands and that keyboard cover made from either rubber or silicon. First off I had to carve out the main parts for my experiment. This was only the prototype so it's not entirely perfect. So with this experiment, I wanted to explore the differences between each materials, and their textures and how we react to it from the feel of our fingers. To do this, I made 3 columns. The first column was just separate square cutouts with each single material inside each hole, this way we can feel what each material feels like individually. I started it off with the softest sandpaper I could find in the first hole, then a medium rough leading to the roughest you can find. After the sandpaper were rubber bands which were cut up, followed by the keyboard cover. There was actually a noticeable difference between the two, the rubber bands being harder to touch than the keyboard cover. The second column is a bit like the first but there are no gaps between each hole nor material. The third column was again like the second one but it had a curvy shape instead of one straight line. What I noticed once I ran my finger through the second column was that you don't really notice that change in material as much as the third. Since it was only a straight line, you find that you run your finger through it too fast to even notice. But with the third column you have to follow a windy road whilst detecting the change in feeling within your finger tips. I shall continue with this research, like I said it's only a prototype tester so I will investigate more materials.

DSDN 112: Project One

Research

Further researching the "TOUCH" sense, I went on to look at certain games and apps that require the user to touch to interact. One of the examples that I have found was this maze game app on the iPod/iPhone. Basically it's a maze game that you have to run your fingers through to complete. I had an idea how I could incorporate this to include different types of materials. The main materials that I first thought of and had access too were different types of sandpaper, all the way from smooth to rough. Rubber bands and a rubber keyboard cover that I don't use anymore and has a strange texture throughout it. I might look into experimenting with these just to get an idea of how this maze could actually work, if I choose to pursue the idea.  

DSDN 112: Project One

Clay Controller Experiment


For my first experiment I chose to work with clay. I took an Xbox 360 controller and wrapped it in tin foil, then molded clay around the top half of the controller to get it's basic shape. I chose this type of controller because, well it's simply the best in the market! After a few days of waiting for it to dry (what a process) I removed it from the controller and tin foil and got the main shape that I was looking for. There were a few cons however, as you get with experiments. Parts of the clay had been cracked due to being a thin layer, and also the annoying time it takes to dry and harden. This can be resolved though, well I hope so. With my basic shape, I could easily add more clay to it and smoothen the surface to make it look neat, and also use a heater or a hair dryer to speed up the process of drying it. I made it hollow because I might add actual joysticks within it to make it function "like" a real controller.

DSDN 112: Project One

Research Stage / Week Two

For our second week for this paper, we were asked to bring 2 objects in to our lesson. We needed to bring 2 objects that had a good "user" interaction. One that is very functional and one that is fun or interesting to use. For my functional object I chose to bring an Xbox 360 controller. The reason I chose to bring this object is because it is designed for one purpose and to suit those who use it. It fits perfectly into your hands and you immediately get the feel for it, meaning you learn how to use it fast. My next object which is the fun one, is one of ties. I brought a tie because it has an interesting way of interaction, the way you have to tie it up to fit etc. Also it is visually fun. Ties come in many different shapes and sizes and colors. Its more of an emotion thing to what tie you wear, so generally it fits the interaction of most people these days. After showing off our interesting objects and talking about them, we got into pairs and filled out a chart to identify each "group" of object e.g. Kinetic/Visual/Sounds etc. Yes as you can see we came up with some pretty interesting things..

From this lesson, I had an idea of what I could do for this project. I chose the sense "TOUCH". I plan to relate it back to the controller that I brought along with me. One thing I realized when people are gaming and using the controller, is that they get so into the game and don't even realize that they're holding it! (that is unless they're "raging" at the game) So my plan was to design my own controller, with each button having a different texture to it, so people realize and get a new experience from holding it. So far I've researched the present and past controller designs for the famous gaming platforms. I've also gathered together some materials that could be a possibility to work on:

Clay (to build the base and core of the controller)

Sandpaper (I bought different roughness so you'll be able to tell the difference between each one)

Tin foil (it has a unique surface to it, still undecided about this one)

Wood (different wood that I could look into, include balsa and MDF)

Wire (wire mesh could work well but I'm afraid it'll be too expensive)

This is just a brainstorming stage for now, but if I can pull this off it should be a pretty successful project to go with. Here are some of the controllers I have researched.