Exercise 9

Due 5 December

Synthesis 2

You are free to develop a project that suites your personality with only the following constants:

- Select a verb and use it as the theme
- Use only grayscale values
- Must be controlled with the mouse and/or keyboard
- The program must be 640x480 pixels

The content of the piece is your choice, but your software must express the theme through the action of the person using the software. You can select a generic verb such as jump, chase, avoid or a more provocative verb such as obfuscate, penetrate, remember or a quirky verb such as pinch, flick, or sneer. Your project will be evaluated on its merit in relation to 1) how it addresses the theme and 2) its qualities of form, motion, and response. Label the theme clearly as a comment at the top if the code.




 Exercise 8

Due 28 November

Synthesis 2 (Prototype)

Develop sketches and a working prototype for Exercise 9. A working prototype means the software is functional, but the images, motion, and response are not totally refined.

Make 12 sketches for completely different concepts originating from one verb/theme. Sketch with the tools you are most comfortable using (i.e. pencil, Illustrator). Refine the 3 best concepts, each on a separate page with three images and notes. Use the templates in the "public" folder/directory to clearly format your ideas. Complete the sketches for class on 23 November (Wednesday).

This exercise must be turned in through the class website and on paper. At the beginning of class on the due date, hand in 1 sheet of paper with three representative images from the protype showing a sequence of events. Also turn in all of your sketches. Each page must contain your name, the date, and the exercise number. Before class on the due date, upload the programs to the class server. The program must be 640x480 pixels in dimension. Include comments in your program explaining your decisions and process. Clearly state the theme and concept.




 Exercise 7

Due 21 November

Simulation, Objects

This is a three part exercise:

A. Write your own unique Dot class which has a different behavior than the one presented in the example. Design a kinetic composition with 90 of your Dots.

B. Design a class which displays, animates, and defines the behavior of a machine or organism. Give your invention a goal (e.g. finding other creatures, searching for food, climbing the screen) and have it react when it reaches its goal. Display your class outline table as a comment in the code. Show the fields and datatypes, the methods and their return values.

C. Find an online game which you enjoy playing. In 250 words, explain why you enjoy playing it and how the game could be improved. Include the URL for the game at the top of the statement.


This exercise must be turned in through the class website and on paper. At the beginning of class on the due date, hand in 2 stapled sheets of paper:
1 ) Page with the text answering C
2 ) Page containing a representative image from A and B

Each page must contain your name, the date, and the exercise number.
Before class on the due date, upload programs for sections A and B to the class server. Each section will receive a grade from 0-10 where 0 is low and 10 is high. All programs must be 300x300 pixels in dimension. Include comments in your program explaining your decisions and process.




Exercise 6

Due 14 November

Synthesis 1

Develop an event/game which lasts 10 seconds and explores your personal fantasy for escape and/or transformation.

Begin with a screen explaining the event/game. Click the screen to begin. At the end of 10 seconds, display a status screen and give the player the option to re-experience the event/game again.

We've provided a template in the "public" folder/directory to use as a starting point, but you are free to write your own template following the sequence stated above. Be prepared to show a working prototype of your project in class Wednesday 9 Nov.

This program must be 600x300 pixels in dimension. Include comments in your program explaining your decisions and process.




Exercise 5

Due 7 November

Mouse, Keyboard

This is a three part exercise:

A. Give three circles unique personalities through their qualities of response. For example, one circle can be frightened of the mouse and another affectionate. One circle could become curious about the mouse when it is pressed, but pay no attention otherwise. Use comments in the code to expose your intentions. Each circle must be white with a 60 pixel diameter.

B. Make a custom software drawing tool and use it to make three drawings. Run the software in the window when your program starts, but show the saved drawings if the 1, 2, or 3 key is pressed. Show the first drawing if the 1 key is pressed, the second drawing if the 2 key is pressed and the third drawing if the 3 key is pressed.

C. Develop concepts and sketches for Exercise 6. Make 12 sketches for completely different concepts. Sketch with the tools you are most comfortable using (i.e. pencil, Illustrator). Refine the 3 best concepts, each on a separate page with three images and notes. Use the templates in the "public" folder/directory to clearly format your ideas. We'll individually discuss these sketches in class Monday 7 November and you will have time to begin building your project.

This exercise must be turned in through the class website and on paper. At the beginning of class on the due date, hand in 6 stapled sheets of paper:
1 ) Page containing a representative image from A and B
2 ) 5 pages of sketches for part C

Each page must contain your name, the date, and the exercise number.
Before class on the due date, upload programs for sections A and B to the class server. Each section will receive a grade from 0-10 where 0 is low and 10 is high. All programs must be 300x300 pixels in dimension. Include comments in your program explaining your decisions and process.


Exercise 4

Due 31 October

Motion, Arrays

This is a three part exercise:

A. Give three circles unique personalities through their qualities of motion. For example, one circle can be tentative, another aggressive, and another curious. One circle can behave like a fly, another a snake, and another an elephant. Use comments in the code to expose your intentions. These different personalities can be reinforced through interactions between the elements. Each circle must be white with a 60 pixel diameter.

B. Load the colors from a 100 x 100 pixel photograph into an array. Use this array data to generate a kinetic event, further expressing the content of the image. For example, if it's a photograph of the sea, present the image data in a flowing, rhythmic pattern. If it's a photograph taken in Times Square, present the image data as a frenetic, bright animation.

C. Answer the following questions in 250 words. What kinds of motion do you find the most fascinating (e.g. falling leaves, running animals, industrial robots on assembly lines)? Select one extremely specific motion and analyze its qualities in detail. How might it be simulated or abstracted through software?

This exercise must be turned in through the class website and on paper. At the beginning of class on the due date, hand in two stapled sheets of paper:
1 ) Page with the text answering C
2 ) Page containing a representative image from A and B

Each page must contain your name, the date, and the exercise number.
Before class on the due date, upload programs for sections A and B to the class server. Each section will receive a grade from 0-10 where 0 is low and 10 is high. All programs must be 300x300 pixels in dimension. Include comments in your program explaining your decisions and process.




Exercise 3

Due 24 October

Images, Letters, Trigonometry, Random, Functions

This is a three part exercise:

A. Select a story from any section in today's newspaper (online or paper). Create a typographic and photographic response using collage techniques of overlay and juxtaposition. Make sketches on paper and then in a program such as Photoshop or Illustrator before writing the code.

B. Create a parameterized function for drawing a form to the Display Window. Use four or more parameters to create a diverse range of complex shapes with this one function. Update the function with new parameters 2 times a second to show the visual range of your creation. This exercise will be evaluated on the quality of the form and the diversity in the forms as controlled by the parameters. Make detailed sketches on paper before writing the code.

C. Answer the following questions in 250 words. How are digital images different from analog photography both technically and socially? How do you feel digital images affect they way we communicate and consume? To make your ideas concrete, use specific examples.

This exercise must be turned in through the class website and on paper. At the beginning of class on the due date, hand in two stapled sheets of paper:
1 ) Page with the text answering C
2 ) Page containing a representative image from A and B

Each page must contain your name, the date, and the exercise number.
Before class on the due date, upload programs for sections A and B to the class server. Each section will receive a grade from 0-10 where 0 is low and 10 is high. All programs must be 300x300 pixels in dimension. Include comments in your program explaining your decisions and process.




Exercise 2

Due 17 October

Coordinates, Shapes, Variables, Iteration

This is a three part exercise:

A. In Processing, select and draw an area from Charles Sheeler’s composition Upper Deck (1929) containing lines, curves, and filled shapes. I suggest downloading the image and exploring various cropping options in Photoshop before beginning to code. Both Photoshop and Illustrator are useful tools for selecting colors and determining angles and coordinates.

B . Using only grayscale values, develop an abstract pattern reflecting the structure of one of your favorite songs. Use three or more “for” and “if” structures. Include comments in your program explaining which song you selected and how you interpreted its sonic structures into visual patterns.

C. Answer the following questions in 250 words. How do you usually create visual media and how is the approach of programming visual media different? What are the advantages of each approach and when is each appropriate?


This exercise must be turned in through the class website and on paper. At the beginning of class on the due date, hand in two stapled sheets of paper:
1 ) Page with the text answering C
2 ) Page containing a representative image from A and B

Each page must contain your name, the date, and the exercise number.
Before class on the due date, upload programs for sections A and B to the class server This uploading procedure will be explained in class 19 October.
Each section will receive a grade from 0-10 where 0 is low and 10 is high.
All programs must be 300x300 pixels in dimension.


Exercise 1

Due 10 October

Response is the Medium

Read Golan Levin's Computer Vision for Artists and Designers: Pedagogic Tools and Techniques for Novice Programmers, found at: http://www.flong.com/writings/texts/essay_cvad.html. We will discuss this brief essay in class on 05 October.

Collaborate with one other participant in the class to develop a concept for a media wall, where one person’s body is the input for exchanging information between the world and the machine controlling the wall through computer vision software. The content of the media wall and the method of interaction is your decision. Example content areas include information visualization, narration, and games.

Devise a way to communicate your concept to the class using the projector in the classroom. You should not think about actually implementing the computer vision component of your your concept, instead think about a clever way to simulate the interaction using your own hands and eyes in relation to the computer creating the projection. This allows us to discuss basic qualities of interaction without the time, energy, and skills necessary for a technical implementation. This is a prototyping technique for exploring many diverse ideas before investing the resources for a full implementation.

The presentations on 10 October will follow this sequence:
1 A member of the team will discuss the project, but not how to "use" it (1 min)
2 A member of the class will "use" your prototype without prior instructions (2 min)
3 A member of the team will lead a project demonstration (2 min)
4 Class discussion (5 min)

Points to consider:
What is the relation between the method of interaction and the content?
What are different ways the body can be used as the input? (i.e. position, gesture, orientation)

Be prepared in class on 05 October to discuss at least 10 ideas with the Professor and TA, with each idea presented on a single 8.5" x 11" page

Deliverables due 10 October:
1 Ten sketches outlining different concepts, each idea on a separate 8.5" x 11" page
2 One 8.5" x 11" page explaining your refined system in detail through text and image
3 Class presentation