This intermediate digital arts course aims to extend our notions of the creative potential of computers by exploring uses beyond standard mouse/keyboard/screen interaction. Moving away from these restrictions the course introduces students to basic electronics and programming a microcontroller, a single-chip computer the size of a postage stamp, to read sensors placed in physical objects or the environment. Projects are designed to provide students with basic skills that can be applied to individual creative projects. Through readings, discussions, design of individual and collaborative projects, students are expected to develop an articulate, theoretical basis for conceptualizing and discussing works presented in class as well as their own creative projects. Students are required to keep personal websites for this class and need to possess the skills necessary to do this.
Tuesday, 2:00-6:00pm
Active student participation throughout all aspects of this course will make your experience much more meaningful and is necessary for the successfully completion of the assigned work. There are reading/research assignments, weekly discussions, student presentations, critiques and the production of work during this course. Students are expected to be present for all class meetings. Please email me if you must miss a class. More than 2 absences will seriously jeopardize your standing in this course.
Students will be evaluated based on the following: Participation/attitude, creative/conceptual work, technical dexterity and progress over the term.
Midterm Project:
Drawing upon our readings and skills acquired, students work to create small scale creative projects that prototype an idea that may expand on one of the topics discussed in class or become a part of a larger scale final project. All work is to be documented on personal websites (include photographs, schematics, influences and research.)
Drawing upon our readings and skills acquired, students work to create their own creative physical computing projects. Students may choose to work individually or as a group. The instructor must approve projects and all research is to be documented on personal web sites (include photographs, schematics, influences and research.)
>> We do not accept late work! <<
All students are expected to visit and contribute to the class weblog on a regular basis. Each student is also expected to create and maintain a personal website for this class. All research, documentation (include photographs), and creative work should be posted on your site for peer review and comments. Individual websites should be updated weekly and include all of your work for this course. In-class presentation materials should be located on your website.
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I am available for technical help or to discuss individual projects via office hours and email. If you would like to schedule a time to meet with me, please check my calendar (link above) and email me an appropriate time that works with both our schedules. Please do not leave voice mail! I am also readily available via email and will regularly respond within a few hours. Please note: if your technical question is easily answered in the book or online, i will direct you to look it up--half of the challenge of digital arts is finding answers to your technical hurdles. If you have done research and still cannot find a solution, do not hesitate to email me.
Books:
Required:
Dan O'Sullivan and Tom Igoe, Physical Computing, Thomson, 2004. (Available at the Bennington Bookstore)
Read:
From Physical Computing, Chapter 6: "The Big Four Schematics, Programs and Transducers" Pages 121-136 andIn class:
Review and Work on midterms in class.