Assignments

Reading Responses

Responses should engage the reading material. Examples of related concepts, artworks and other text should be included. USE LINKS. Questions should also be raised as a way to challenge the premise(s) of the reading. Reading responses must be a minimum of 300 words and must be posted on the class blog at 6PM the day prior to the day they will be discussed.

Research Presentation

Presentations should be between 20-30 minutes in length, although longer presentations will be allowed if warranted. The content of the presentation should include an overview the figure or subject and should provide a point of departure into how their work contributes applies to software, contemporary art, and culture at large. Be creative with your presentation. Use images, video and audio as you see fit. If you have other ideas as part of your presentation then ask the instructor. Your presentation should demonstrate the following goals:
  • Thoroughly introduce the figure or subject
  • Illustrate the main concepts in the work
  • Connect the topic/figure to other subjects and discussions inside and outside of the course
  • Lead the class in a conversation about key issues/concepts with prepared discussion questions
The presentation should be made available on this blog as a PDF document BEFORE you present in class.

Exercises

These are stand-alone projects which will pertain to individual units in the schedule. They will each have their own instructions and prompt which will be posted in the "assignments" tab of the class blog as soon as they are  assigned to the class.

Exercise 1: The Forms

See attached .txt in the schedule tab.

Exercise 2: Drawing Machine

Using Processing create a drawing machine. There are two rules:
  • It should create a different result each time the sketch is run.
  • The result cannot be directly mapped to mouse control.
Posting instructions:
  • In your post include: 1) your whole project folder as a .zip 2) 4 or 5 screenshots of your best generative compositions (screenshots can be embedded directly into post, not through drive)
  • Title your post "Exercise 2 - Your Name"
  • Use these labels: Exercise 2, Your Name

 

Exercise 3: 20-second Game

Create a video game which lasts for exactly 20 seconds of game play time. You may use time before and after the 20 seconds to contextualize if you choose.
  • The recommended platform is Processing.
  • It is also recommended that you use this template to start you off.

Exercise 3.5: Documentation Video

Using Adobe Premiere Pro or another non-linear video editing tool, create a documentation video which clearly represents your work for either Exercise 1 or Exercise 2.

Exercise 4: The Space Around the Computer

Create sketch which relates the body to the computer using the Kinect camera. The primary question and concern is "how is this space experienced" more so than "how effective is this interface"

Secondary considerations:
  • Take this as an opportunity to understand/experiment/innovate the practical capabilities of the Kinect.
  • Share share share knowledge with your peers. The Kinect is a complex device that is still being worked out.
  • Think about what kind of space you are framing your piece in. Is it public/private? Large space or small? Gallery or desktop? Are people passing by? Do they know its there? Are they instructed about what to do? 

Exercise 5: The Experiential App

Create an app where the primary concern and question is "how is this app experienced?" instead of "what does this app do?"

Secondary considerations also include:
  • Use this exercise as an opportunity to get more practice with a code concept you would like more time with (array, for loop, conditionals etc.)
  • How can you make your app specific to the mobile format?
  • How does the program relate to the space in which Android device is situated?

Final Project

Part 1: Proposals

Conceive of three final project concepts that function as an answer to the following question:

How do you use generative and/or interactive media to support an artistic point?

Each concept must address an individual interest of your and demonstrate one or more of the following thematic concepts we have dealt with over the semester:
  • Use of metaphor embedded in graphical user interfaces.
  • Human-computer interaction as performance.
  • The feedback loop between diegetic and non-diegetic machine actions and operator actions.
  • The aesthetic and cultural impact of technological standards/systems (for example: compression).
  • OR a theme introduced through one of the research presentations (must be approved by instructor).
Create a sketch and write one paragraph of explanation and for each concept. Each concept must have a working title. You are allowed to use any genre, material or tool covered over the semester. If you are interested in using genres, tools and materials not covered please discuss it with the instructor. Create a 3 page pdf which contains all these paragraphs and sketches (one paragraph/sketch combo per page). Upload this pdf to the blog before class on Monday 4/22.

Part 2: Progress Presentation

Present your work in progress to the class. Make sure you are able to convey the idea and aim of the project clearly in order to receive good feedback. In any case where you do not have working tech to show, make sure you include supplementary material (images, diagrams, models) to get the goal across.

Part 3: Final Critique

(Last meeting before finals week)
Make sure your project is setup and running ahead of the critique. We will be pinched for time and will need to jump from project to project quickly. You are welcome to choose a site other than the lab, but you must make sure this is ready to go ahead of time.

Part 4: Final Deliverables

Due on blog for finals week (no meeting in lab):
  • All software components turned into the blog
  • At least five images (screen grabs or installation shots depending on the project)
  • One video
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