Akshataa
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Week 1
7th JULY: TUESDAY:
Thoughts:
At the beginning, the concepts discussed were quite new to me, and also seemed a little vague. But after an introduction to the subject, and reading David Dunn’s article (Music, Language and Environment), the concept seemed clearer and quite fascinating: The idea of interacting with the environment, rather than just using it as a medium. It is making me think about what we consider ‘ordinary phenomena’ more carefully. Examples of Land art, where a naturally occurring phenomenon contributes to a work of art, gave me some understanding of how artists can contribute, especially “Ocean Landmark”, which has transformed processed coal waste into a thriving ecosystem. Another idea discussed was the collaboration between art and science in a project like this one. How exactly does the designer fit into this and what is his/her role? How important is it to learn the technicalities, e.g. programming the sensor, as opposed to just creating art/ representing the data gathered? These are some of the questions I hope to clarify as the course goes along.
Key points:
- An introduction to science, technology and design
- Environmental pollution and pollutants
- Reading about explorations using interactions with the environment
- Analogue and digital
- Sensors- Micro controller (Using arduino to make the LED at the output blink)
- Sensors-Phone-Program-Interface
- Programming software: Arduino, Processing
References/Readings:
-David Dunn: “Music, Language and Environment”: Experiments on the sounds made by the environment and the effects produced by creating artificial sounds.
-Pauline Oliveros: The concept of ‘Sonic awareness’ and ‘Deep listening’
-Murray Schafer: “Schizophonia”: Splitting the sound from the source
-Land art: Where landscape is the means of creating the art ("Spiral Jetty", built of mud, salt crystals, basalt rocks, earth, and water on the northeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake near Rozel Point in Utah)
-Betty Beaumont: “Ocean Landmark” (Ocean Landmark is an underwater work on the floor of the Atlantic, made of 500 tons of processed coal-waste, a potential pollutant that has undergone a planned transformation into a flourishing ecosystem—a lush underwater garden)
8th JULY: WEDNESDAY:
Thoughts:
We started off with programming. Getting used to the syntax of Processing was a little problematic in the beginning, but with on the whole, it was not too tough to get a hang of. At this point, I am eager to know how this will integrate with the data received by the Arduino board.
Processing: Functions/Commands:
-If
-Else
-For
-While, do
-Keypress
-Key
-Mathematical operators
Exercises:
-Drawing 16 equidistant boxes and making alternate rows of a different colour
-Making each alternate box of a different colour
-Changing colour using the ‘keypress’ command
-Using a specific key to change colour, size etc. (Using ‘key’)
Challenges:
-Syntax
-Nested loops
9th JULY: THURSDAY:
Thoughts:
Controlling Arduino through processing gave me a rough idea as to how we are going to go about this project. I understand this is as a conversation; where the data is let in by programming the Arduino board (sensor), and this data is used in the computer on Processing to create a representation.
Key points:
-Using a breadboard, and resistors and a Loop function to make multiple LEDs blink
-Controlling the Arduino board through Processing-using the mouseOver condition
-Using 'keyPressed' to control the Arduino board through processing
Week 2
13th JULY: MONDAY:
Thoughts:
Looking at the “In the Air” project, it is now easier to understand how the project can take shape. The possibilities were inspiring.
References: -Gobar times: Pollution levels in Delhi
-Situated advocacy (Benjamin Bratton and Natalie Jeremijenko)
-In the Air
14th JULY: TUESDAY:
Thoughts:
We experimented with Processing and Arduino for most of the day. The programs in processing are getting more complex, yet also presenting us with opportunities to think of how we can possibly work with the data we receive when we start building the sensors. We also worked with controlling Arduino with processing, through the data received by a sensor, to produce an Analog output. A lot of technical terms are now starting to get quite familiar.
Key points:
-Mouse functions: mouseX, mouseY, mousePressed()
-Time based functions: seconds(), millis()
-Image and font loading: Pimage, Pfont
15th/16th JULY: WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY:
We had a brief introduction to some physics concepts- resistance, current and voltage. The notes Victor gave us were very helpful, especially the one that taught us basic Arduino. Ideating about how to disguise the arduino and sensor was interesting because we were drawing connections between the concepts we had learnt, as well as the technicalities of the process. Our concept was to hide the sensor in a book, such that when you draw on it, the speakers play some notes, and the LED blinks in synchronization. In addition to it, the screen shows a dot moving around with the variation in the resistance as the pen moves on the paper. Initially, it was quite problematic to get the code right, but after a lot of struggling, we managed to get it to work.
Week 3
20th JULY: MONDAY:
We started off discussing the basic concepts of electronics. Experimenting with circuits, LEDS, speakers, resistors etc. was simpler once we understood how the breadboard is constructed and tried making the connections ourselves. The results produced by exploring with the components of the circuit were pretty fascinating (especially creating sound with the LDR and speakers). There were a lot of new components we worked with today :NAND gate, variable resistors, potentiometer, capacitor etc.
Key points:
-Introduction to the concept of electronic music: Power, Oscillations, Melody program, Amplification- Human Machine Interface
-Components of an electric circuit (structure, function and symbols)
-Building circuits using a battery, potentiometer,LDR, and NAND gate
21st JULY: TUESDAY:
We started off downloading WAMP (which is not working on windows as of now) and wordpress. We conducted similar experiments as the previous day, but using an Arduino board instead of a battery. By now we had understood the logic behind connecting the circuit, so that wasn’t a problem. Also, by noting the values of the LDR on the computer, it is easier think of the methods that can be used to receive information about change in properties of the environment through a sensor.
22nd JULY: WEDNESDAY:
We created a device which sends its values to Pachube. The device was in a box, which when opened, makes a sound. It works because of an LDR, and is programmed to make sounds when the value of light falling on it is greater than a certain level. We set a counter, to check the number of times the box was opened, and the values of the counter were sent to Pachube. A fun experiment.
23rd JULY: THURSDAY:
We had a discussion with the scientists on this project, and spoke about the possibilities and scope for these sensors in today’s world, and how to bring about awareness, followed by action. The designer’s role in this project, would be to represent the information and problem with some degree of emotion, to bring about a reaction from the public. The strategy of representation could be anything, ranging from an interface, an interactive installation, a ‘mocumentary’, advertisements, etc. The need for these kind of sensors was discussed as well, as well as the context they would be set up in.
Some ideas were:
-Set up in your home to detect the degree of pollutants in the air
- An installation that could be placed in the middle of a busy road showing the levels, as well as the harmful consequences of pollution.
- A device that could be attached to your cell phone and displays the results on the screen (functioning as an application).
It was helpful talking to the scientists and getting to know their perspective, as well as exchanging ideas that could be explored.
Week 4
Concepts for a device that monitors air pollution:
1) A traditional urn (which contains water and flowers floating in it) which changes colour of the water according to the level of pollution.
2)The flowers in the pot light up, the intensity of the glow increasing with the increase of pollution level.
Week 5
The ideas our group is working on are:
Garland: A garland that grows red when the pollution level is above a certain level, and green when it is below that level. We started off with connecting 2 sets of LEDs in series, and then programming the arduino board. There were some complications with the programming the multicoloured LED initially.
Balloon: This device will be made out of a helium balloon, and attached by a string to a motor. The motor will be programmed to run clockwise and anticlockwise according to the level of pollution, thus causing the balloon to up and down accordingly.The form of the balloon is yet to be decided, but we are considering using a bird or a face (demon mask). This device will be put in a public place, probably on top of a building, and will be a large balloon structure, so that it can be seen clearly from a distance. For prototyping, we are working with programming the motor that rotates 180 degrees. Eventually we will use the motor which rotates completely.
Week 6
GARLAND:
PROCESS:
Circuit and programming:
• Single LEDs connected in series
• LED strips
• Programming LED strips to fade to obtain a spectrum of colours
Form of the garland:
• Plastic flowers (Hard to wind around the LED strip, opaque)
• Real flowers ( Wear and tear, not impactful when lit up)
• Paper petal cutouts (Tissue paper, translucent)
Circuit:
Final prototype:
Week 7
BALLOON:
PROCESS:
Circuit and programming:
• Servo motor- 180 degrees rotation, using this mechanism to show comparitive values
• Stepper motor-360 degrees rotation, using a pulley to increase and decrease height of balloon
Form of the balloon:
• Bird, human figure, abstract form
• One form vs. collection
• Demon head- local culture, symbol of protection against evil, placement on roof tops
Circuit:
Week 8
VISUALIZATION:
Creating a data visualization for the information to be sent to Pachube.
Key elements:
-Interactivity
-Comparisons between pollutants in different places
-Time
-Location
-Colour coding
Iteration 1: This model showed the pollutant levels in individual places by the darkening of the globe with the rise of pollution. It also showed individual pollutants by changing the shade of that respective colour in the globe. The date, month and time could be changed by choosing the required one. The problem with this model is that comparison between pollutants at different locations was not possible.
Iteration 2: This model showed the individual pollutant levels, at a certain time, with just clicking on the location. Therefore, with just one click, the viewer gets all his information. There was an argument about whether the interactive element was lacking, and the viewer did not get to 'discover' information as he goes along. Also, we still had to consider how to work out the comparison between pollution at different locations.
FINAL VISUALIZATION: This model took all the key points into consideration. We took the working elements of each iteration and created this model, which was interactive, as well gave the viewer an option to compare. On clicking a location on the map, a circular chart for that location pops up, which allows the user to interact with it to get the required information. Also, these individual charts for each location can be moved around the screen, zoomed into, copied, as per the users convenience and requirements.
Week 9
Garland: Refining the product and documentation
