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Month: April 2023

Preparations for the exhibition

Early preparations:
We have borrowed many items on ECA Bookit that have helped us. During the preparation stage of the exhibition, Xiaoyun, Xiya, and Xiaotong and I moved the display screen from eca, which was of great help to us in the later stage.

When we came to the exhibition space, we spent a lot of time arranging the scenes, including making and collecting some representative items that meet the keywords of the relevant life stages. When we decided to work all night until daytime, the security staff of the teaching building came and ordered us to leave, which greatly disrupted the progress of our exhibition.

In the process of building the scene, it took us a lot of time to cooperate with the software, hardware and the scene, because the scene takes up a lot of space, and we need to use very long wires to connect various parts. The reason for the circuit failure requires countless times to improve the direction of the circuit in order to ensure the stable realization of the final effect. Before this, it took us a long time to weave the scattered threads. This is a brand new experience. During the process of setting up the exhibition, the enthusiasm of the whole team was mobilized. efforts to complete.

During the experiment, due to the limitation of the site, we had to give up many original ideas and improve the original ideas and plans step by step to the current state. In the end, we connected the partitions with the canvas to divide the space, divided the overall space into five parts, and used light strips to guide the movement of visitors. It is worth mentioning that due to the insufficient number of partitions, we had to temporarily borrow two bookcases as supplementary partitions. When there was no way to hold canvases and other hard objects in place, I sewed them together with a needle and thread (didn’t damage anything).

When building the scene, there were so many items that it took us nearly six hours to complete the pre-arrangement of the exhibition. Including wooden boards, tables, monitors, objects hanging from the ceiling, etc., took a lot of energy from the team members. When the exhibition was finally completed immediately, we found that the windows on the wall seriously affected the condition of our space as a dark room, and we had to urgently buy black plastic bags to stick on the windows.

Video of the process:

Pre-exhibition preparation (making the mushroom base) (1)

Pre-exhibition preparation (making the mushroom base) (2)

Pre-exhibition preparation (prepare for wiring)

Pre-exhibition preparation (testing connectivity)

Pre-exhibition preparation (welding lamp strip test) (1)

 

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Ardruino:

In order to control the lights in the scene through buttons, I learned how to use C++to program the Ardurino board, connect the light strip and hardware (through welding), optimize and adjust the circuit. Responsible for the implementation process of light strips throughout the entire project

https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/dmsp-perception23/wp-admin/post.php?post=358&action=edit

Game :

I designed the entire Unity game scene switching and voiceover sound effects. The Unity section uses 32 buttons and scene switching scripts to read video playback time and control audio playback. All copywriting and art are completed by members of the same group, while I am responsible for the technical implementation and debugging of the Unity section .

In addition, I am responsible for building all the monitors and sound systems in the entire scene, and controlling the game in the background.

https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/dmsp-perception23/wp-admin/post.php?post=356&action=edit

Management:

We have weekly communication with Dave and our own group meetings (usually in the library). I lead the progress of each meeting and record everyone’s inspiration and important words. Mobilize all members and urge them to complete the task before DDL.

https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/dmsp-perception23/wp-admin/post.php?post=235&action=edit

https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/dmsp-perception23/wp-admin/post.php?post=232&action=edit

https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/dmsp-perception23/wp-admin/post.php?post=215&action=edit

https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/dmsp-perception23/wp-admin/post.php?post=211&action=edit

https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/dmsp-perception23/wp-admin/post.php?post=207&action=edit

https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/dmsp-perception23/wp-admin/post.php?post=201&action=edit

https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/dmsp-perception23/wp-admin/post.php?post=198&action=edit

https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/dmsp-perception23/wp-admin/post.php?post=196&action=edit

https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/dmsp-perception23/wp-admin/post.php?post=187&action=edit

 

Following is the role I m in the project (In the last page of the  report):

Group Manager

Sound Part

Arduino Part

Equipment

Exhibition Work

Dismantling Work

Stage of Life Exhibition Personal Summary

After completing the exhibition that used scent as a clue to depict the stages of life, I was left feeling both amazed and inspired, as it was the first time I had ever participated in such a project. I was excited to see how the team had successfully divided their labour, with each member contributing their unique skills to create a cohesive and impactful exhibition that used scent to represent the stages of life.

The exhibition was truly innovative and immersive, triggering a synesthesia experience where our senses of sight, hearing, and smell worked together to create a truly unforgettable experience. However, there were also some details that the team needed to reflect on during the process of the project.

One of the issues the team faced was the improper choice of direction in the early stage of the project. While smell can be an ancillary part of a project, it should not be the main factor. The team realized this mistake and adjusted their direction accordingly.

Another issue the team faced was confusion regarding the development of the project in the mid-term. The direction was adjusted three times within two weeks, and some materials could not be used. This created a sense of disorganization and caused delays in the project timeline.

The team also struggled with judgment regarding their own abilities. When the life selection system was designed, they wanted it to be completely private, with each person producing different results after choosing, which could be realized by using MAX. However, after learning this, they found that it was difficult to master this software in a short period of time, leading to a stalemate in their work for a period.

Finally, many of the forms of interaction envisioned in previous plans never materialized. This is because there is not enough time for exhibition arrangement and rehearsal, resulting in some deficiencies in the final presentation.

Despite these challenges, the exhibition is still going well. The team was able to overcome these issues by working together, making necessary adjustments, and being flexible.

Poster design

The theme of this poster is “STAGE OF LIFE”, which is a trance and summary of people’s life stages, so the picture reflects the sense of the future and mystery through the sacred, futuristic and religious landscape, the sun and the human scene. The poster also presents the theme meaning through colour transition changes, which gives the whole picture a sense of design and order.

Middle aged videos-themed

On the other hand, for the failure-themed video, I utilized the following design elements:

  • Sombre tones: To evoke a mood of melancholy and introspection, I utilized soft, pastel colours like greys, blues, and browns. These colours helped the audience understand the gravity of the situation and empathize with the character’s struggles.
  • Dim lighting: I used dim or low lighting to further emphasize the character’s loneliness and sadness.
  • Abstract and surreal design elements: I also included abstract and surreal design elements to represent the character’s inner thoughts and emotions. These elements helped viewers understand the character’s state of mind and empathize with their struggles.

 

Middle aged videos-family

I was tasked with creating two videos centred around the middle-aged life stage. Of the three options – success, family, and failure – I was responsible for two: family and loss.

For the family-themed video, I incorporated the following design elements:

  • Warm and inviting tones: To create a cosy and welcoming atmosphere, I utilized warm colours such as orange, yellow, and brown. These colours helped to convey the warmth of the home and instil a sense of comfort and relaxation.
  • Light and airy design elements: I also included design elements that were light and airy, like clouds, birds, and trees. These elements helped to foster a sense of peace and tranquillity.

The second technical study

The main work:
According to the continuous advancement of the concept, we finally decided to screen among different sensors such as buttons, infrared, and M5. In this technical study, we tried to modify the code of different sensor affected parts. Summarize the experience and draw a conclusion: Although the infrared sensor can capture the precise position of the visitor, the light shows a large change. However, in a large space, it is difficult for visitors to accurately align with our sensor, and the instability is too high. It is difficult to ensure the stability of data transmission if the infrared sensor is installed on the wall or on the back of the chair, so we rejected this method.

Then we considered the option of installing buttons on the seats of visitors, but there are three problems that need to be solved: First, the soldered wires are not firm, and frequent movement and pressure may cause problems in the connection between the light strip and the button . Secondly, installing buttons on the seat or on the back of the chair can easily cause discomfort to the visitors. Finally, the pressure that the button can withstand is limited, and repeated heavy pressure may cause damage to the sensor.

Using the M5 sensor is currently the most stable and effective solution after testing. Its disadvantage is that visitors need to shake vigorously or perform large body movements to ensure interaction with the lights. At the same time, the data transmission of Wi-Fi will also have problems from time to time.

In this case, we decided to use the simplest button interaction to ensure the smooth progress of the exhibition. But at the same time, consider adding the M5 sensor to the exhibition to ensure more fun and enhance the interactive experience of visitors.

Questions & Reflections:
Unfortunately, the main reason why the original team’s ideas were difficult to realize was that we did not have a good grasp of technology. While exploring ways to interact, we are also actively looking for ways to embody our most important theme – smell. The difficulty of this problem lies in the synthesis and emission of odors.

Video of the process:

The second technical study (test how the infrared sensor affects the light strip)

The second technical study (try M5sensor in WiFi mode)

The second technical study (try to use different sensors)

 

First technical study

The main work:
As an art form in the digital age, installation art will combine technical means such as digital programming, art design and computer assistance. Since we are systematically exposed to this type of design for the first time in the interdisciplinary course of DMSP, we do not fully understand the forms that can be taken. After conducting systematic research and initial brainstorming, we asked some students with a background in science and engineering to help us start the initial technical learning.

The content of our first technical research is mainly to study how to realize the direction of the initial group discussion. Leyao Zhang and Jingxian Li of my group are mainly responsible for the realization of specific technologies. We first screened the use of sensors, and tried more possibilities according to the different functions we need. We need the interaction between the experiencer and the sensor to control the intensity and color of the light in the overall environment. The content of the first technical group learning is mainly the assembly of components, testing, and connection with codes.

In this study, we wrote a piece of code that can change the color and brightness of the light strip, but due to technical reasons, it was not successfully connected to the hardware. We decided to try it out by borrowing more materials at school as suggested by Jules and Dave.

Difficulties:
During the experiment, we found that due to the limitation of technology and the incomplete concept in the early stage, it was difficult for us to select the sensor. At the same time, because there is no code foundation, it is difficult to achieve the desired effect in a short time. The amount of time we spend on code selection is unimaginable.

Video of the process:

First technical study (trying to run the code)

PERCEPTION: Stage of Life Personal Summary of Xiaotong Huang

About Team Management: in sub2 of dmsp, there were some issues with assigning tasks and roles in the team. The volume of tasks allocated was not balanced and the timeline for the overall progress was stretched too far and the deadline for the submission of each individual work to the team summary was not clear.
Not everyone in the group was actively involved, and I think the level of participation in group discussions and meetings could still be improved.
It was not easy to organise and assign tasks, and this was the first time I had been a manager in a medium-sized organisation with so many people. The quality of management and documentation of the group blog could also be improved.

About the Research and Interviews: After confirming the specific interviews, I acted as an interviewer to a number of citizens of different age groups in Edinburgh. We had different questions for different interviewees and different ways of eliciting them.

About the Interior Design: After deciding on an initial location for the exhibition at Alison House, I started to scout and find a suitable room for our project. After a selection process and consultation with Jules, we decided on sound lab as the final venue for the project.
How do you create a narrative space within an enclosed rectangle as simply as possible? After researching a certain narrative space and combining it with the needs of the project, I used the architectural sketching software Sketchup to build a model of the interior design. It is like a labyrinth that distributes the spaces evenly while guiding the user through each location according to the designer’s plan.

About the Production of the Video: before the perception project started, I had a basic but not much understanding of processing. During the project I came across touch designers and tried to use them for sound visualisation and digital art visualisation, such as importing 3D models into td to create particle effects. Although the 12 videos were not produced by the same person, I exported the visual elements created in td and processing to video as a unified source for all the videos in order to achieve a uniform style. td has many powerful interactive features and there are many ways to interact with it.

About the Life Choice System: In the beginning our goal was to allow visitors to experience the life of an ordinary person, a life journey. This was passive, with the visitor receiving information unilaterally. After several conversations with Dave, we decided to add some interactivity by adding life choices to the whole process. Through different questions and options, different stages of the video and endings are triggered to move forward.
We designed the questions and their corresponding answers in the system through chatgpt and through secondary research on the internet.

About the Set-up: We spent a lot of time setting up the venue and creating props for the set-up, but the result was not ideal. It was my initial idea to create a strong sense of storytelling by stacking a large number of objects together, an approach that is often used in art exhibitions, such as some sculptural installations (e.g. Tanya Schultz, Pip & Pop: https://www.pipandpop.com.au/).

To create the props, we tried to buy materials locally, buy and pick them up for free from ECA’s shops and warehouses, and buy and transfer some materials such as fragrances at low prices from Chinese merchants. However, I ignored the constraints of location, time and money, which later proved to be less simple, straightforward and realistic than using electronic screens for displaying images of the scenes.

About the Whole Project: I thought it was a good idea to include the element of smell in the project, but we overlooked the specificity, instability and low controllability of smell, and the lack of experience in experimenting with and controlling smell, which resulted in a less than ideal final result, and even some deviation from the theme of smell.
The theme of life is meaningful, but we have not explored it in depth, only in terms of ‘valuing life’. Although theoretically it doesn’t matter whether the theme is unique or not, sometimes it is more logical and effective to choose a theme that is relatively specific, starting from small points and issues.
I think we could have done a better job of presenting the theme, extending it, looking for more directions and examples, and experimenting and learning new software, but unfortunately we seem to lack the courage and determination to do so.

Live integrated sound atmosphere creation

In my previous compositions, I have created 12 unique styles and scents and audience choices of music, each piece carrying a distinct flavour that resonates with the listener in its own unique way. From heartfelt orchestral music to upbeat piano pieces, from haunting synthesizer music to high-energy electronic music, I poured my heart and soul into each piece, trying to capture the essence of each style and communicate it through the language of music so that participants could become more immersive.

I wanted to take things a step further. I created a cohesive sound design for the entire theme that not only captured the individuality of each style, but blended them seamlessly together to create a unifying theme that resonated with the listener on a deeper level.

To achieve this, I spent countless hours researching and experimenting with different musical elements to showcase a person’s life for a few minutes through a combination of sound and music. I carefully crafted each piece to fit seamlessly into the larger narrative, so that themes, sights, smells and sounds tied everything together and created a sense of continuity and progression.

The end result is a comprehensive sound design that not only captures the unique vibe of each age group theme, but also links well with the nine smaller pieces of music. From the brooding introspection of the ballads to the infectiousness of the dance music, each piece works together to create a sonic journey that leaves a lasting impression on the listener.

In short, my latest project is not just a collection of individual pieces, but a carefully crafted sound design that demonstrates the power of music to transcend boundaries and connect us all on a deeper level.

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