biomimicry in graphic design

Documentation of the process of exploration, experimentation, generative coding and fabrication towards my MFA thesis.

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The first prototype for my input device involves testing a propeller than when blown turns a motor that inputs into the Arduino. This serial input is then mapped to a set of green to yellow to red LEDs based on high number values.

The input values are flowing from the Arduino to the LEDs just fine. But the propeller is not easy to blow. I’m testing some paper pinwheels. Trying to figure out the size they need to be and how to assure they are easy enough to blow but heavy enough to spin values by turning the motor.

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Window installation process ... processing.

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Pinwheel station box construction. The PVC proved much better than the actual hardware.

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Laser cut window patterns.

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Processing + Arduino

If Arduino is the keyboard, Processing makes letters type onto the monitor. To make Arduino into an input device, or in this example keyboard, I need to plug in my breathe sensor (my pinwheel attached to a 5V motor) into an Arduino analog pin. Next I read in the data and created some variables for them. My next step was to pull that data into Processing to finally let the data tell Processing how to draw the shape of the visualization.

With Arduino to Processing communication, Processing comes with some basic examples for communicating with Arduino (in Examples > Serial Communication). After I had Arduino data pulling into Processing, I set up some variables to break down the data and define what ranges alter the object that will be drawn by Processing.

Will all my data ready, I am currently in Processing creating classes to more easily alter the objects as they are mapped to input values. And also working with ArrayLists. This article on classes and animating classes has been super helpful.

Since my goal is to create blobjects with the breath ... I am super inspired by these Spherical Harmonics written by Paul Bourke circa 1990.

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This week I received my BlinkM RGB LED light and a few other bits from Sparkfun. Just to play around with the parameters of the light and understand what I can change with user input, I wrote an Arduino script that allows the user to input a number 0-5 which in turn changes the animation speed of the lights. I played around with the Arduino Library for Processing (and Firmata) because I assumed I needed to pull in the keyboard user input with Processing then send the commands to Arduino to re-write the BlinkM. But! I could code the keyboard inputs in Arduino using the Serial functions. The BlinkM data sheet was very helpful in figuring out how to change the speed.

My next steps will be outlining a few ranges of user inputs and the resulting animation alterations, then mapping those values together. I think a variety of these little guys responding to a few different inputs could be pretty sweet. And the Map() function which in Arduino and Processing are both primarily the same, was very helpful in getting my inputs data to register with my necessary output controls.

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Soo Sunny Park: Unwoven Light ... Amazing!

[shckblst]

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parametric animation

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Burst Light - a breathable light installation shown in MICA & WdK Exhibition, Unravel the Code 2013

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Successfully Blowing Light!

Burst Light Installation  Unravel the Code Exhibition  Q Gallery in Johns Hopkins

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Kids trying to Blowing Light!

Burst Light Installation Unravel the Code Exhibition Q Gallery in Johns Hopkins

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Thesis Elevations (Phase I) 

My preliminary attempts to map out my thesis installation. The goal is both to keep it simple and impactful (think less is more) but also show my process. Although my installation is a bit of techy, I want the experience to remain ephemeral and poetic like my concept... hiding the Arduino, wires and such behind "the curtain".

This is the first iteration of a work in progress... I'm already contemplating all suspended elements, only a process table and moving things around.

Stay tuned!

[biobubbles-blog]

My making a clear acrylic box for the brains of my device. And making a successful "snap joint" on the first try is tricky. This Make Zine Joinery Notebook has been super helpful... but nothing is quite as helpful as sketching, re-sketching, and trial and error. 

I do have a sort-of working version I first modeled in Rhino then exported as AI for laser-cutting... with a few nips and tucks tomorrow I should be able to cut a better fitting version. Fingers-crossed!

I do have a working LED animation based on pinwheel blow... w00t! And found some snazzy 12v and 9v substitutions for power to keep my installation mobile and not plug-dependent.

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Last night's laser-cuts... Yes, this took hours!

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It’s alive! Next steps mapping to user input values…

[crdit]

Casey Richardson - Suspended Matter

New series

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Wired up the RGB LED strip and nested a few into my spherical forms. Love how the semi-opaque acrylic disperses the light and color. Next step is coding animations and then mapping to data inputs from Arduino. Fun!