jenniferho @ itp

Toy Design & Sustainability — No comments
04
Feb 11

the hobby unicorn

On the first day of Toy Design, Assaf put us to work right away with instructions to create our own versions of the classic hobby horse. We had the liberty to make it realistic or abstract, however we so desired. Our materials consisted of a thick white cardstock paper, white draft paper, tape, and staples. We were also given a long wooden stick for which the hobby horse head would eventually be attached to/suspended upon (this turned out to be an important consideration in the design process, which for me, became overshadowed by the construction of the head itself). The class spent most of class time creating this first prototype and were given instructions to improve upon it as a homework assignment.

It was interesting to see the different approaches the class took in creating their hobby horses with creations ranging from battle horses and unicorns to abstract geometric horses. I took the classic approach of creating a unicorn hobby horse. It was designed to be a “little girl’s best friend” type of toy, friendly and approachable.

In-Class Prototype

Final Unicorn

Write Once, Access Anywhere — No comments
02
Feb 11

mobile web app: nyc restaurant week

Correction on my previous blog post: Shazam is actually not considered a mobile web app, it is rather a native web app. The difference? Mobile web apps are web-accessible through a mobile browser while native web apps live locally on a mobile. However, to add to the confusion further, a mobile web app is also distinguishable from a mobile website. An example of a mobile web app is m.nyc.com/rw (NYC Restaurant Week.) When saved to the home screen, a specially designed web app icon appears and it virtually indistinguishable from a native app icon (for a mobile web site, a blank white icon will appear). When tapped, however, the app opens via Safari. Also, although this app is supported on a mobile browser, it looks and functions like a native app. With HTML5, it can also request and use your current geographical location.

Write Once, Access Anywhere — No comments
01
Feb 11

native app: shazam

Aside from the social networking apps on my iPhone (Facebook, foursquare), the app that I probably use the most (and the first app I ever downloaded in my life) is Shazam. Shazam and I have had our moments, whether its trying to catch a song on the radio while driving or holding it up in the air at Home Depot testing whether it could identify the barely audible tune coming from the speakers on the high ceilings to obsessing over how many songs it could recognize on ethnic radio stations. Recently, I noticed a brilliant update that made this app even better. Instead of having to tap a tiny button on the top right corner of the screen to begin “tagging” a song, the entire start screen is now that button, a very clever and insightful redesign. Shazam most likely realized that most of their users probably use the app to identify songs on the radio, which likely means that they are in a moving vehicle, making it highly dangerous to look away from the road to find a small button. Have a full-screen touch button makes it safer for drivers to (in most states, discreetly) pull out their phones to identify a song.

For the realization that the catchy song that you’re dying to know the name of will always be playing after the light turns green, here’s to Shazam.

pcomp & icm final: the art of making bubbles

//CONCEPT

“I wonder how much it would cost to buy a soap bubble, if there was only one in the world.”
Mark Twain

Liquid bubbles are one of those things in life that are joyous in their simplicity and inexplicably fascinating. Not only fun to make, but equally as gratifying to chase around and pop. This project takes the real life experience of making bubbles and enhances it through technology by giving people the ability to make bubbles of various forms. A bubble wand can be dipped into one of three glass jars to select the type of bubble. Each glass jar represents one of three different bubble forms. The wand can be waved around or blown on to create bubbles which will appear on a screen projection in front of the person. Loud shouts or claps will pop the bubbles.

Early Design

//PHYSICAL CONSTRUCTION

Evolution of the Bubble Wand

VERSION 1: My first working prototype was constructed out of a plastic straw, plastic spoon, and jumper wire. Tested successfully with two sensors, a piezo and an accelerometer.

VERSION 2: The plastic straw was replaced by a stainless steel spoon straw. I tested color tracking with a glow stick to simulate the effects of EL wire as a light emitter. The main problem with the glow stick was that the bubbles did not originate from a single point but all around the wand, which was not the realistic effect I was looking for. I also removed the accelerometer because bubble generation through waving could be achieved with color tracking in Processing. This was a relief as the accelerometer itself would have proved difficult to attach to the wand aesthetically.

VERSION3: Tried a third version of the wand hoop using 3 flat IR LEDs and limiting the surface area of the wand that would emit light but still covering three main points, especially at the top to trigger the photocell that would be placed underneath the jar. The effects were still unnatural with bubbles appearing from three distinct and far apart points. Also it seemed that these smaller emitters were not as powerful as the 3mm IR LEDs.

VERSION 4: The final version of the bubble wand has two IR LEDs placed side by side near the bottom of the hoop to provide a single point light source. (The threshold of the photocell was adjusted so that the IR LEDs could be sensed even from a diameter’s distance.) Jumper wires were replaced with a thick copper wire for the hoop to be sturdy enough to withstand constant impact with the glass jars.

Box Construction

My first step was sketching out the dimensions of the box. Several parameters were considered: it needed to be long enough for three glass jars, the size of the wood needed to fit within the bed of the laser machine, and lastly, it also needed to be deep enough to house an Arduino and wires comfortably. I chose to use a compressed wood purchased from Home Depot.

The ITP laser cutter in action.

Boards cut and ready to be pieced together with Elmer’s wood glue.

Final box, with multi-colored mirrored plexiglass to better hide the photocells and refract light to give the jars a more bubble-like appearance. Three visible light filters are fitted over each photocell to limit ambient light interference between the IR LEDs on the bubble wand and the photocell.

//ARDUINO TO PROCESSING

The Processing component to this project involved the use of three libraries – serial, video and minim (sound). One of my first steps was getting the Arduino and all four sensors (3 photocells and 1 piezo) to speak to Processing. After successfully doing that, I proceeded to design the bubble shapes and finesse the movement of the bubbles and implement the bubble popping interaction. For testing purposes, a piece of visible light filter was taped over my Macbook’s iSight camera to limit the interference from other bright light sources and allow for more precise IR detection.

An early version of a visible light filter using developed 35mm film, which proved ineffective.

Testing photocells and color tracking.

Testing the Minim library. Used AudioSample for the sound of bubbles appearing and bubbles popping. Used AudioInput to detect loud sounds to trigger the popping.

//FINAL PRODUCT

//FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS

Moving forward, I would like to figure out a way to incorporate a Bluetooth component to the wands to make it wireless. This was experimented with briefly, but was not incorporated into the final presentation due to some last minute coding/technical issues involving whether Processing could process two serial events (one from the wand’s bluetooth for the piezo) and another from the photocells. I also would like to take this project to a much larger scale. To do this, I would need to incorporate a better infrared transmitter or look into a wide-range camera for better infrared detection.

Physical Computing — No comments
08
Dec 10

p-comp final proposal #3: “bubbles”

After spending week 1 researching and acquiring thermochromic paints for my original concepts, the issue of finding the right heating source and time needed to experiment with unfamiliar materials seemed unrealistic for a 2-3 week time frame. I decided in the second week to rethink my idea completely and focus on something that was simple, compelling and at the same time within my abilities so that it could be executed well. During a short walk through the park, I saw a family playing with liquid bubbles and became fascinated by how this simple toy could provide such a source of joy and entertainment for both adults and kids. Thus, the bubble wand idea was born.

This bubble piece will involve 2 interactions between two or more people.

Interaction #1: Making bubbles.
I will create a bubble wand with one or more sensors to detect sounds or vibrations (possibly an electret microphone or piezo vibration sensor) and/or accelerometer. These sensors will address the two ways people generally use a bubble wand, either by blowing on it or waving it around. When blown on, either an electret microphone or piezo sensor will tell Processing to generate bubbles. The accelerometer will read when the wand is being waved around. The sensors could also be able to detect how forcefully the wand is being blown on/ waved and generate more/less/smaller/bigger bubbles accordingly. The color of the wand will allow Processing to track through a webcam the location of the wand and therefore where the bubbles should originate. The idea is to have the Processing sketch projected on a wall with a webcam facing users to detect the wand color. (Multiple color wands could also represent differently shaped bubbles). As in real life, less bubbles will appear through time and will need to be replenished. When bubbles stop appearing, the wand will need to be dipped into a jar to recharge it. This could also be taken further with different jars for different color options of bubbles. I’d also like to consider incorporating a musical element as well based on the speed at which the bubbles appear.

Interaction #2: Popping bubbles.
This second part of the interaction is ICM based. Also using the webcam and either OpenCV or Blob Detect, Processing will detect where bubbles and shadows meet and “pop” the bubbles, as well make a popping sound.

Communications Lab — No comments
06
Dec 10

animated short: “how to make a hippopotamus sandwich”

An animated short by Jamie Lin, Ginny Hung and myself, based on the poem “Recipe for a Hippopotamus Sandwich” by Shel Silverstein. After discovering a mutual love for Shel Silverstein’s work, our group wanted to take it back to childhood and create a light-hearted, whimsical animation. Created using After Effects and Flash with original illustrations done in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Communications Lab — No comments
06
Dec 10

short film: “the aperture”

A short film created by Alvin Chang, Avery Max, Ginny Hung, Jamie Lin, Suzanne Kirkpatrick and myself.

One week of storyboarding, talent hunting, location scouting and props preparations. Two days of filming. Another week of editing. An East Village apartment transformed into a photobooth. Here’s a look behind the scenes.

Physical Computing — No comments
16
Nov 10

p-comp final proposal #2: “reflection”

Similar to my first concept, this second idea for my Physical Computing final also involves the use of thermochromic inks in creating a “live, reflective painting.” This will be achieved using a piece of canvas with a layer of body temperature-activated thermochromic ink. Behind the canvas will be an intricate grid of tin or copper hexagons, each individually controlled/heated by resistive wire. Above the canvas will be a small webcam that will detect shapes of people or objects placed in front of the canvas. A Processing sketch will then translate the feed into grayscale values and through serial communication, the Arduino will in turn read those values and send a current to heat its respective hexagon pixel behind the canvas. As a result, the person would then see their own reflection emerging on the canvas.

A PWM multiplexer may be needed to control each hexagonal piece individually. Using a relay, I hope to be able to control the amount of heat emitted and therefore manipulate the color changes to create shading and depth. The first step is to experiment with the ink itself and determine which heating mechanism is 1) safe and 2) allows for the most control over the ink. Other heating element options to consider: incandescent C7 lightbulbs, peltier units, electric socks hack.

Physical Computing — No comments
16
Nov 10

p-comp final proposal #1: “growth”

For my Physical Computing final project, I want to experiment with thermochromic inks to create a print of a tree that will appear/grow gradually as more hands, and therefore more body heat, is placed at the roots. The growth of the tree is the result of an act of collaboration by multiple persons, as the tree will only fully appear when the amount of heat transferred surpasses a certain threshold.

When a person first approaches the blank canvas, they will see only a small dot on the canvas, a seed. When a hand is placed on the seed, the Lilypad temperature sensor behind the seed will send a current through sections of the conductive thread or fabric behind the print, from bottom to top which are mapped to the amount of heat received by the sensor. Roots will appear to grow from behind the person’s hand. As more hands are placed on the roots of the tree and the more heat input the sensor receives, the conductive thread or fabric will activate the thermochromic ink in sections from the trunk to the leaves, giving the illusion that the tree is growing.

Though the concept itself is simple, I’m slowly realizing the execution of this idea is quite problematic, especially in regards to electrical control of the thermochromic ink. The heating mechanism itself will be the most time-consuming issue for me to tackle as I am looking for an effect that is very specific. I’m thinking that I will need to find something that can be controlled to emit heat slowly and gradually in specific sections to achieve the organic growth effect that I am hoping for. Another problem involves the properties of the thermochromic inks. There are typically three standard types of this ink: Low Temperature thermochromic ink (activated at 15° Celcius), Body Temperature (activated at 31° Celcius or with body heat), and High Temperature (activated at 45° Celcius, or just below the threshold of skin.) I would be using the Body Temperature activated ink for this project. Unfortunately, both Body Temperature and High Temperature inks, or any ink that is activated with heat, will only change from color to colorless with heat whereas I was hoping to find an ink that would change from colorless to brown or a dark gray. (Edit: I discovered that white to colorless ink can be custom-made, but would take a few weeks to manufacture.) To address this problem, I could begin with a solid colored canvas on which the print would fade in as white, therefore creating some sort of negative space effect, but I am not crazy about it for several reasons. First, it then begins to approach the sort of kitschiness associated with “disappearing ink” and secondly, is drastically different from the minimalistic, natural look I originally envisioned for the piece.

Communications Lab — No comments
14
Nov 10

untitled photobooth project: film teaser

A “Rainbow Productions” film starring Jenny Donoghue and Alex Dodge. Currently in post-production.

Trailer from Alvin Chang on Vimeo.

jenniferho @ itplike a kid in a candy store