In an overall view of the Design, Interactive, Environment unit taught by Stephen Barass , I can say that it all made for a very vast learning and creative experience. In both intensives there was always something new to be learned and that made them specially dynamic. The opportunity to show our final work in the Belconnen Arts Centre in months to come, I feel gave everyone an extra spark of energy to work towards realising the final project which will be a series of tiles that interact with each other via light and sound.
I feel that given that my background is in Fine Arts, working with the Arduino felt like a rather intuitive at-home sort of experience. Because at the end of the creative process there is a tangible, physical object. A fact that has cost a bit of getting used to in terms of working with the digital.
Additionally, the learning experience in this unit came in many different forms. I learned very technical things about basic electronics such as drawing circuit diagrams, soldering, telling resistors apart and other things of the same sort. And even where to source basic material at stores like Jaycar and Sparkfun. All of these might seem too basic yet I feel that they are vital elements to be fully comprehended, in order to start thinking of the Arduino as a creative tool.
The unit also got me thinking about how creative projects that use electronics and digital processes as their medium are twofold. In that there needs to be a very detailed consideration of the technical aspects of things but also what it is that one wants to say with them. Otherwise I feel there is a latent danger of falling short, that is that just like a painting is not about the actual paint but more about the concept it is depicting. So should these projects be more about the concept rather than just the electronics.
A great example of this interweaving of idea, electronics and digital is the Type Case project. It consists of a gathering of online newspaper headlines via RSS feeds and Processing, which are later displayed in an LED matrix. Conceptually I feel the project is solid because it makes the connection between the contemporary and old-fashion way of disseminating the news. While also having a very beautiful visual outcome.
At the moment I feel it is too soon to see how the experience of this unit will influence me in the future. My intend is to keep realising mini projects found in the many DIY sites and the Arduinio site itself. In order to gain more experience and knowledge on the topic while remaining open to any creative possibilities that might present themselves along the way.
