Fun Stuff....

Over the past few weeks, we've been having a lot of fun learning how to use inkscape, sketch up and working on our projects.  After the difficulties I had with processing, it was nice to be able to draw and design images without coding anything.... When we started out with inkscape, my partner was away, so I had free range to draw whatever I wanted! I started out using the star shape,

and then moved on to drawing Ninja Turtles.  All of which were extremely pertinent to my project and area of research...

Sketchup fit in a little bit more with what Shaun and I were doing, Shaun even found a sketchup of the White House that had already been completed- It was a little more detailed than my clubhouse...

Although it was nice to be able to play around in 3d to create structures and consider the route we wanted to take with our model.  Essentially, what we want to create is a model of the White House with four rooms that are open.  In each of these rooms, when a figurine enters, we would like to cue or program an audio recording which can explain the room, it's function and roles in history.  Last class, professor Turkel gave us a sensor to work with.  Little did we know, the magnet had to be out of it's plastic casing for the sensor to work.  So something we thought had been a failure may turn out very well.

This is pretty much an example of how our class time is used.  Mostly we both make an effort to try things out and if they work correctly, or as they're supposed to- it's an obvious plus.  Hopefully we'll have a bit of time to try the sensors again today using the correct method.  If this doesn't work out, I was speaking to Matt earlier on, who suggested a push button instead of a sensor for our model.  I think this is also a great idea, and if a push button facilitates the process then we can start imagining how we can take the model further and perhaps incorporate more digital features.

Project Collaboration

Following my introduction to Arduino, and playing around with the lights and sensors, Shaun and I began to think about what we could collaborate on for our final project.  Initially, I thought it would be fun to do something with ballet, and Shaun wanted to use a goalie mask for his exhibit.  Between the two of us, we had a hard time deciding between our ideas.  After a bit more experimenting with Arduino, and the Processing tool, we both had a couple of new plans...

Trying to figure out how to program the LED (unsuccessfully.)

Both Shaun and I are avid American historians, so it was no wonder that we decided independently that we wanted to use an event or an icon which was central to the American story.  Shaun thought it would be interesting if we could recreate the JFK assassination using an electrically controlled car.  Then we could program the music to play the president's march until the shooting occurred.  Although I agreed that this would have a great impact, we decided that it would be a bit too macabre.  Another idea we came up with (after consulting with Professor Turkel,) was to have a model White House. In the White house, one could move a figure into each room on display and they would be able to hear a historical background to their choice.  I especially liked this idea, as I have a longstanding love of all things playmobile, and think that the interactive aspect is a great way to get people involved.  Hopefully next week we'll be able to put together a plan and figure out what kind of technology we could use to execute our idea!

Historical Object

As one of the least technology savvy people I know- creating a blog seemed extremely daunting, initially...  After a failed attempt at figuring out Wordpress, I decided that Blogger would be the best site to start off with.  For this assignment, I tried to think of an object that would be original as well as interesting.  Furthermore, I wanted to imagine an exhibit that I have a personal connection with and would enjoy the process of designing.

I'm sure many young girls who are enrolled in dance classes dream of being prima ballerinas when they get older.  I was always a realist, and had other dreams, but ballet was still a huge part of my life growing up.  This is where I got the idea for my object, the very thing that every girl who dances loves and loathes, pointe shoes.  When you get your first pair, the feeling of excitement is indescribable, and then you put them on and realize what you've actually gotten yourself into...  You want to believe that you're in one of Degas renditions of the ballerinas, but the reality is something much different.

 

Having said that, it's not all bad.  It also gave me a chance to think about the evolution of ballet slippers as well as pointe shoes.  The modern pointe shoe has only been around since the early 20^th century and Ballet as a dance form has been dated to the 15^th century. Wouldn't it be cool to be able to demonstrate the evolution of Ballet costumes (the pointe shoe in particular) and somehow display how dance has changed as well?  It would also be great to be able to display iconic versions of pointe shoes and show how they were worn and danced with during the performance.  I'm not sure how much of this would be possible... If nothing else, it's fun to consider and I look forward to being able to create something this term!