The screenshots that can be seen below showcase my experimentation with the Open Processing Programme (Similar to the Process Programme) which allows students/tutors to create visually interesting works via coding which is not too dissimilar to what can be seen in Dreamweaver.

Processing is an Open Source Programming Language/Environment for people who want to create images, animations and interactions. It was originally developed to serve as a software sketchbook and to teach fundamentals of computer programming within a visual context.

Screenshots showcase different coding utilised to create different coloured backgrounds and methods of digitally drawing within the ‘visual’ part of the Open Processing Programme. Screenshots labelled ‘1,2 etc’ to showcase process on how visual sketches were produced.

First Attempt:

 

Second Attempt:

 

Third Attempt:

 

The thoughts I have after experimenting with this programme is it was fun seeing the various potential creative outcomes that can be produced within the programme itself although, like Dreamweaver, the manipulation of coding proved to be a weak point to me due to how much needs to be bared in mind and how easy it is to mess up and not know how to instantly fix the problem. Problems often occur due to small errors of not typing in right symbol or providing the right number of spaces between coding.

Despite the comments I just made I do feel this might be worth looking into again (this will be considered for the other module within this trimester called ‘Graphic Design for the Web’).

The Word Document that can be seen below expand upon further research into the ‘Open Processing’ programme and the games that are created on said programme:

Open Processing Games and Pieces Research. Interactive Environments.

The photos below showcase the notes written in the class during Week 3 and the ‘CAN Conference’ meeting from Week 2 (Sorting out details for registering in the Employment Bureau in the University);

 

Final Screenshot below showcases the initial ideas development for this module with relation of incorporating the technology that has been taught up to this point;

The photos that can be seen below showcase my attempt at creating a ‘Squishy Circuit’ during the second week of this module:

A ‘Squishy Circuit’ is comprised of a Battery, Two Crocodile Clips, Two Lumps of Play-Doh and a Little light bulb. The idea is to connect all these components together to make the lightbulb glow which can be seen above linked with the bulb connected to both clumps of Play-Doh wired to a battery.

This circuit was taught to showcase how specific materials (Play-Doh) can be used and manipulated into various appealing and creative outcomes as well demonstrate how to create Interactive Pieces in a cost effective fashion.

The thoughts I have after playing about with the Squishy Circuit is although it was interesting witnessing how a Squishy Circuit functions in real time it will not be something that I will factor into the final brainstorm for the piece I’ll make due to the limited uses and presentations the Squishy Circuit Offers.

The next array of photos that can be seen below expand upon the two uses of the ‘Makey Makey’ Circuits;

 

A Makey Makey Circuit can be used a substitute key board or game controller using the assets of the circuit itself, two or more crocodile clips (clips provide more controls to move objects within computer) and a lead connecting the circuit to a nearby computer or mac.

Photos of myself experimenting with the circuit in question can be seen above with a couple of photos showcasing my hand touching a graphite drawing connected to the crocodile clips and circuit with the light on the circuit turning on once I place a finger on the graphite drawing (touch sensitive) which also turns off once I remove my hand.

This was taught in the class to showcase how easy it is to construct control panel as well as a touch sensitive piece utilising the ‘Makey Makey Circuit’. Unlike the ‘Squishy Circuit’ that can be seen on this blog, I’ll seriously consider incorporating this Circuit as part of the idea mind map I will create for this module in the coming weeks.

The Word Document that can be seen below expands on the research of other interesting ‘Squishy Circuits’ and ‘Makey Makey’ Circuit pieces:

‘Squishy’ and ‘Makey Makey Circuit’ Research. Interactive Environments.

One idea that occurred to me after interacting with a ‘Makey Makey Circuit’ during Week 2 is the idea of utilising the ‘touch sensitive’ aspect of the circuit and incorporate it into a creative art piece in the form of window looking out in the countryside.

There will be two ‘touch sensitive’ hand prints on the left and right side of the of the mock window. When these sensors are touched a digital animation, video footage or photography will appear within the window; when the hands are not touching the sensors the digital display immediately turns with the viewer interacting with piece no longer interacting with the piece

The photos that can be seen below demonstrate the experimentation in creating a Soil Censor using ‘BBC Microbit’. The ‘Soil Sensor was used to see how much moisture there within a plant pot that was brought into the session during Week 1.

The initial thoughts I has while experimenting with BBC Microbit coding is how intrigued I was initially in how the sensors picked up (successfully) whether there is moisture or not in a plant pot that was handed into class on the day. The many different areas the BBC Micro bit can be incorporated was also really interesting especially after attending the Hack Day the day before the lesson where other activities were laid out on how the Microbit was used from controlling little lights and manipulating text on the Microbit itself which will be considered in the early planning stages for the Interactive piece I will create for this module.

 

A couple of examples of people creating interesting Interactive Applications using the coding system of BBC Micro:bit can be seen below in the Word Document with added Harvard Referencing:

Research in BBC Micro-bit (Application in Interactive Pieces) Interactive Environments

Image of Lego Micro:Bit Train (with Harvard Referencing) and Screenshots of ‘Basic Coin Game’ on YouTube Video (Link in Word Document above);

Micro:bit Educational Foundation, 2017. Lego ® Power Functions IR Sender For Micro:bit – micro:bit Projects. [image online] Available at: <https://microbit.hackster.io/philipp-henkel/lego-power-functions-ir-sender-for-micro-bit-aecc10&gt; [Accessed 24 January 2020].

Screenshots of YouTube Video: