Negotiated Project Proposal
Overview
Navigation would be a keystroke or a mouse click from page to page moving our way gradually getting to the final page. It could be knowing which page you want to go to and typing in its address getting there instantly or it could be a more indirect route via a search engine. While real world navigation could be a physical movement to a destination directly by walking, controlling your every turn and movement. It could be getting on a bus or train, obviously you know where it is going but you have no real control over how it gets to the destination.
This is what I plan to explore through this project work.
Keywords
- Interface
- Environment
- Journey
- Key Logging
- Social Networking
-Mapping
http://gavinjonesidat.blogspot.com/2008/12/idat-107-gps-data.html
Context (Research)
Navigation and journeys have been mapped in many ways over the years, now with new technologies it has become a lot easier for everyone to get their hands on navigational equipment. Mobile phones now come equipped with GPS and even internet browsers making digital journeying on the move possible. A lot of thought has gone into the development of navigation techniques for both computer and real world situations, with sat-nav for cars and search engines making it easier to find that illusive site and information online.
Computer navigation has developed a lot since the invention of the mouse in the early 60’s, they are now wire-less and are even in-built into laptops making navigation easy from your fingertips. Inventors have even built a mouse to be used by your feet. These deviations from normal ideologies of navigation are interesting aspects to explore.
Field leaders (Inspiration)
One of my influences is Bruce Branit, His video “World Builder” is about a man who creates a world for the woman he loves. It looks into virtual reality, Interfaces and augmented virtual reality. I really enjoy watching this video; it really makes me think about the connections between virtual reality and reality, using very clever elements such as sounds and visual signals to make it seem even more real.
Another Influence is Jeremy Wood who created drawings on a map and set out to recreate them using a GPS, drawing many things from animals to words using the formations of roads and buildings. It is an interesting to use a technology which is usually used to study journeys through physical space as a creative medium. GPS allows you to create digital representation of a physical journey making a direct link between a journey and technology.
Implementation (Platform e.g. video, installation etc)
I have had quite a few ideas of how to explore my chosen subject. One is a projectoral sculpture involving projecting multiple journeys onto glass planes while mapping a GPS journey through the glass planes using lasers and mirrors, the lasers would show up using some form of smoke machine. The journey would become a convergence of a digital and physical journey shown in a compact environment.
My second idea is using my exploration of the way we move through digital space using certain technologies i.e. the different forms of mouse. I want to change the way we experience the space making it more of an experience rather than just a thing we do. This could be creating a new form of keyboard or creating a physical mouse. One idea is creating a human hamster ball and turning it into a computer mouse enabling you to move the cursor while moving yourself. This idea truly combines a journey with a computing experience.
The last idea I had is visually flatter, using key Logging I was thinking of taking in the used keys off a computer over a week. Giving each key a direction and line length I plan to create a piece of generative art. I then plan to over lay the final outcome onto a map, and walk the journey the created, taking photos as I walk visually mapping the journey using imagery.
I really need to slim down my ideas and choose one to go forward with, this will be done through further exploration of ideas.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Monday, 22 February 2010
4- Idat 210 - Inspiration Through Keywords
Here are a collection of videos which i have found while exploring my keywords. Obviously i have already shown you the Bruce Branit World Builder video which i think will come to have some effect on how i look through visualizations and digitalisation is represented as a comparison to real world environments.
This is an nteresting visualization of google earth and people mapping, it takes network visualizations to a hole new level, actually placing poeple in there geographical positon while still conecting them in their networks. It also displays a form of augmented virtual reality when putting real life imagery on a virtual globe giving you an interesting perspective of a birds-eye virtual view with personal perspective imagery.
Here is a gps visualization of multiple gps journeys recorded over a year. I find this video particularly interesting because of the way the video has not been shown on a map but on a piece of paper each frame could easily represent an electrical circuit. It has an almost etch'a'sketch feel to it. This sort of digital vizualization of a collection of journeys abstracts from the reality of a journey, and springs into a more generative art feel.
I randomly cam across this video when looking for mouse visualizations. This is in my influences because it is making my think of alternate ways of negotiation the technologies we are given to interact with our digital interfaces. This is usefull tool for people who loos the use of their hands but it aslo opens the debate are we really utilizing our bodies correctly to truely navigate the digital world in the most efficient way. This could become quite an interesting 3d piece exploring other possible ways to interact with our computers.
After the last video i got interested in weither there were other alternatives out there. Then ifound this video, a mouse which is just ur fingertip, using sensors to detect where your finger moves the mouse on the screen moves with your finger movements. This is interesting because this completely takes away the need to move a physical object other then your hand. It also means less clutter on your deskspace. Its an interesting way to navigate a digital interface system, i could see that it almost seems magical how the mouse pointer seems to move with just the movement of a finger. Is this the beginning for mouse free navigation?
This is an nteresting visualization of google earth and people mapping, it takes network visualizations to a hole new level, actually placing poeple in there geographical positon while still conecting them in their networks. It also displays a form of augmented virtual reality when putting real life imagery on a virtual globe giving you an interesting perspective of a birds-eye virtual view with personal perspective imagery.
Here is a gps visualization of multiple gps journeys recorded over a year. I find this video particularly interesting because of the way the video has not been shown on a map but on a piece of paper each frame could easily represent an electrical circuit. It has an almost etch'a'sketch feel to it. This sort of digital vizualization of a collection of journeys abstracts from the reality of a journey, and springs into a more generative art feel.
I randomly cam across this video when looking for mouse visualizations. This is in my influences because it is making my think of alternate ways of negotiation the technologies we are given to interact with our digital interfaces. This is usefull tool for people who loos the use of their hands but it aslo opens the debate are we really utilizing our bodies correctly to truely navigate the digital world in the most efficient way. This could become quite an interesting 3d piece exploring other possible ways to interact with our computers.
After the last video i got interested in weither there were other alternatives out there. Then ifound this video, a mouse which is just ur fingertip, using sensors to detect where your finger moves the mouse on the screen moves with your finger movements. This is interesting because this completely takes away the need to move a physical object other then your hand. It also means less clutter on your deskspace. Its an interesting way to navigate a digital interface system, i could see that it almost seems magical how the mouse pointer seems to move with just the movement of a finger. Is this the beginning for mouse free navigation?
An Exploration of Social Networking
#bdat
"Social networking is a phenomena defined by linking people to each other in some way."
Social networking sites such as Facebook, Bebo and Myspace have created a whole new way for us to communicate and get in touch with friends an family. It has also opened majour networks allowing people to talk to old school friends or work collegues connecting people through the method of friend referals and "people you may know". These sites open the platform for competative gaming, photo sharing and planning public events such as the Plymouth pillow fight.
Looking nto the way we scialise digitally and in the real world i want to see how i can visually show what is actually happening. Using applications on facebook i have been able to visually map my friends in how they connect with each other as well as with me. Here are a couple of examples:
Social Graph:
Friend Wheel:
TouchGraph
Although these visualizations are interesting, they give me little to work with. Just a web of connections i want to look more into what we use these social networks for, what interactions they replace in the real world.
"Social networking is a phenomena defined by linking people to each other in some way."
Social networking sites such as Facebook, Bebo and Myspace have created a whole new way for us to communicate and get in touch with friends an family. It has also opened majour networks allowing people to talk to old school friends or work collegues connecting people through the method of friend referals and "people you may know". These sites open the platform for competative gaming, photo sharing and planning public events such as the Plymouth pillow fight.
Looking nto the way we scialise digitally and in the real world i want to see how i can visually show what is actually happening. Using applications on facebook i have been able to visually map my friends in how they connect with each other as well as with me. Here are a couple of examples:
Social Graph:
Friend Wheel:
TouchGraph
Although these visualizations are interesting, they give me little to work with. Just a web of connections i want to look more into what we use these social networks for, what interactions they replace in the real world.
3- Idat 210 - Keyword Exploration - KeyLogging
"Keystroke logging (often called keylogging) is the practice of noting (or logging) the keys struck on a keyboard, typically in a covert manner so"
KeyLogging is origionally supposed to be used to keep trakc of the way users use computers and check which sites they use, it is also used to retrieve passwords and private details from people using the computers.i plan to use keyLogging to explore how i move round my digital environment, which places i visit most, how i move round the computer. I also plan to look at tracking mouse movements too, this links into interface, i will be abloe to see which areas are used most when interacting with my digital environment and which areas are used less. I think keylogging could be used to create generative art, using keystrokes the data collected from a keylogger inputted into flash with each key having a pre-decided effect on a canvas.
KeyLogging is origionally supposed to be used to keep trakc of the way users use computers and check which sites they use, it is also used to retrieve passwords and private details from people using the computers.i plan to use keyLogging to explore how i move round my digital environment, which places i visit most, how i move round the computer. I also plan to look at tracking mouse movements too, this links into interface, i will be abloe to see which areas are used most when interacting with my digital environment and which areas are used less. I think keylogging could be used to create generative art, using keystrokes the data collected from a keylogger inputted into flash with each key having a pre-decided effect on a canvas.
3- Idat 210 - Keyword Exploration - Journey
"the act of traveling from one place to another"
The word journey is a valuable keyword, the path which you undertake to get to somewhere specific.
In the real world it could be the journey to University or work, you could walk, take a bus or multiple buses. It could be direct or indirect, obviously the quicker you get to the destination the better. Much like your journey to a web page or to a programme on your computer. Programmers and designers spend a lot of time trying to make it so you get to your destination as quickly and efficiently as possible. Search engines have become important parts of our journey through the World Wide Web. Acting as a "stop for directions" if you will. Obviously its a lot easier if you already know the address of your destination and dont need to look it up, use a sat nav, "search engine" or map. Online if you know the address you just type it straight into the address bar, if your driving you drive straight there. These interactions and comparisons are going to act as a connection between the virtaul and real world in this project. Interfaces and Environments are key elements in our journeys.
Gps is one way of digitalising our real life journeys, seeing where we have traveled and how far. There are now applications on phones which enable us to see how fast we have traveled as well as our height above sea level, as technology develops so does our ability to analise how we move through our world.
This leads me to the next keyword KeyLogging
The word journey is a valuable keyword, the path which you undertake to get to somewhere specific.
In the real world it could be the journey to University or work, you could walk, take a bus or multiple buses. It could be direct or indirect, obviously the quicker you get to the destination the better. Much like your journey to a web page or to a programme on your computer. Programmers and designers spend a lot of time trying to make it so you get to your destination as quickly and efficiently as possible. Search engines have become important parts of our journey through the World Wide Web. Acting as a "stop for directions" if you will. Obviously its a lot easier if you already know the address of your destination and dont need to look it up, use a sat nav, "search engine" or map. Online if you know the address you just type it straight into the address bar, if your driving you drive straight there. These interactions and comparisons are going to act as a connection between the virtaul and real world in this project. Interfaces and Environments are key elements in our journeys.
Gps is one way of digitalising our real life journeys, seeing where we have traveled and how far. There are now applications on phones which enable us to see how fast we have traveled as well as our height above sea level, as technology develops so does our ability to analise how we move through our world.
This leads me to the next keyword KeyLogging
Sunday, 21 February 2010
3- Idat 210 - Keyword Exploration - Environment
"the surrounding area in which something exists or lives, has its own ecosystem"
Environment is an important keyword for this project, as i plan to compare the digital environments which we live in through our computers with the real world which we physically live in. There are lots of different types of environment. in my opinion virtual and digital environments mean different things, a digital environment is more software its a string of interfaces connecting wone system to another. While a virtual environment is a 3d worled created for games or learning exploration. Then theres augmented virtual reality, this is where real objects and people are put into virtual worlds as components. Then augmented reality this is where digital layers are put into a real environment to modify it in some way an area which i have explored in a previous section of this blog See: http://gavinjonesidat2.blogspot.com/2010/01/1-augmented-reality.html and then of course theres reality, the rather standard world we live and breathe everyday. I wish to explore connections between the two whether its digital socialisations with facebook or myspace, virtual socialisations with secondlife or real life socialisations with lectures, meetings or a drink down the pub with friends. I want to see what similarites these have abd see whether or not they effect us differently.
Here is an amazing video by Bruce Branit, About a man who creates a world for the woman he loves. It looks into virtual reality, Interfaces and augmented virtual reality. I really enjoy watching this video, it really makes me think about the connections between vitual reality and reality, especially when she touches the railing at 5:28, smells the digital flower at 6:23 and the very clever use of sound to make it seem even more real.
World Builder from BranitVFX on Vimeo.
Environment is an important keyword for this project, as i plan to compare the digital environments which we live in through our computers with the real world which we physically live in. There are lots of different types of environment. in my opinion virtual and digital environments mean different things, a digital environment is more software its a string of interfaces connecting wone system to another. While a virtual environment is a 3d worled created for games or learning exploration. Then theres augmented virtual reality, this is where real objects and people are put into virtual worlds as components. Then augmented reality this is where digital layers are put into a real environment to modify it in some way an area which i have explored in a previous section of this blog See: http://gavinjonesidat2.blogspot.com/2010/01/1-augmented-reality.html and then of course theres reality, the rather standard world we live and breathe everyday. I wish to explore connections between the two whether its digital socialisations with facebook or myspace, virtual socialisations with secondlife or real life socialisations with lectures, meetings or a drink down the pub with friends. I want to see what similarites these have abd see whether or not they effect us differently.
Here is an amazing video by Bruce Branit, About a man who creates a world for the woman he loves. It looks into virtual reality, Interfaces and augmented virtual reality. I really enjoy watching this video, it really makes me think about the connections between vitual reality and reality, especially when she touches the railing at 5:28, smells the digital flower at 6:23 and the very clever use of sound to make it seem even more real.
World Builder from BranitVFX on Vimeo.
3- Idat 210 - Keyword Exploration -Interface
"interface is (a place) where interaction between humans and machines occurs"
Look at your screen you see buttons, stuff to click, stuff to watch, stuff to type in,...... ok its an interface, the way we control the digital world through the machine we call our computers. Interfaces keep changing as technologies develop, we are now seeing the dissapearance of physical buttons to interact with and seeing the appearance of touch screens. Allowing us to get even closer to the interfaces which allow us to surf the digital waves.
There are interfaces all around us though, not just on personal computers. When you go to an ATM to get money out even pay for a ticket so you can park. its a more physical form of interface but it still has the connection between man and machine. a connection which i wish to explore through this project as part of my journey.
Here are some visuals of interfaces.
Look at your screen you see buttons, stuff to click, stuff to watch, stuff to type in,...... ok its an interface, the way we control the digital world through the machine we call our computers. Interfaces keep changing as technologies develop, we are now seeing the dissapearance of physical buttons to interact with and seeing the appearance of touch screens. Allowing us to get even closer to the interfaces which allow us to surf the digital waves.
There are interfaces all around us though, not just on personal computers. When you go to an ATM to get money out even pay for a ticket so you can park. its a more physical form of interface but it still has the connection between man and machine. a connection which i wish to explore through this project as part of my journey.
Here are some visuals of interfaces.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
2- Learning Tool - Virtual Immersive Learning Environments.
An existing idea we have been looking at is the cave design which works with projectors projecting on 5 surfaces, top, front, left, right and bottom. with screens all around you, you feel fully immersed. but this does create the issue of if you walk in this environment you walk straight into the projection screen. So depending on the way we want people to interact with there environment this may not be a viable option to work on.
This idea i like to call the hamster ball, projctors project onto a ball which acts a screen. The image which are projected are stitched in such a way which allows a whole image to be projected. The way the ball which becomes on your environment moves, allows you to move freely in any direction while still being completely immersed.
There is another option, still using the ball idea we create the environment purely using immersive vision goggles. The ball is still present allowing you tom move round in your environment withough the extra cost and fuss of multiple projectors. We would need to implement sensors on the user so we can track there movement and be able to make the environment to react to there movements. whether it is them digging up samples or blocking the sun from their eyes. This could also work with the lab environment, when they want to pick up test tubes and such from the lab surfaces.
These are just ideas for possible methods of implementing our environment. very important when planning our interface designs, in how our user will be able to move around.
1- Learning Tool - Idea
Virtual Immersive Environments
This project is about desinging a method of learning using existing technologies. We are not required to implement our designs as of yet. For this assignment we are asked to work in pairs. My collegue is William Skates and this project is what we like to call Virtual Immersive learning Environments. For this project we are specialising on science as our learning field. We have two eliments we are hoping to explore which are "in lab" experimantation and "field trip" experimentation.
In Lab
The purpose of an in lab experiment it erases the issue of health and safety. In a digital experiment there are no dangerous chemicals which could either blind you or potentially blow you up. It allows you to experiment with chemicals which have had there stats inputted into our databas to the outcome has already been recorded, to be safely explored withought weeks of planning, applying for parental permissions and also makes science a bit more fun.
Field Trip
This has the same health and safety advantages as lab experiments with an added cost benefit. imagine being able to go out and take samples to learn about your environment without the cost of hiring a coach and wasting time on permission forms. We are planning on making the environments ans interactive as possible creating the feeling that you are actually there.
Obviously if this was to be created into a produvt it would cost a lot, but think of the saving in the long run? i meen yea you can take a trip to the lakes for soil testing... but what about the moon? with our idea our learning facility we would be able to make it all possible.
At the moment it is just an idea, now its our job to work out the specifics, create interface designs and make it all possible.
This project is about desinging a method of learning using existing technologies. We are not required to implement our designs as of yet. For this assignment we are asked to work in pairs. My collegue is William Skates and this project is what we like to call Virtual Immersive learning Environments. For this project we are specialising on science as our learning field. We have two eliments we are hoping to explore which are "in lab" experimantation and "field trip" experimentation.
In Lab
The purpose of an in lab experiment it erases the issue of health and safety. In a digital experiment there are no dangerous chemicals which could either blind you or potentially blow you up. It allows you to experiment with chemicals which have had there stats inputted into our databas to the outcome has already been recorded, to be safely explored withought weeks of planning, applying for parental permissions and also makes science a bit more fun.
Field Trip
This has the same health and safety advantages as lab experiments with an added cost benefit. imagine being able to go out and take samples to learn about your environment without the cost of hiring a coach and wasting time on permission forms. We are planning on making the environments ans interactive as possible creating the feeling that you are actually there.
Obviously if this was to be created into a produvt it would cost a lot, but think of the saving in the long run? i meen yea you can take a trip to the lakes for soil testing... but what about the moon? with our idea our learning facility we would be able to make it all possible.
At the moment it is just an idea, now its our job to work out the specifics, create interface designs and make it all possible.
Saturday, 13 February 2010
1- Idat 210 - Initial Thoughts
A very open brief for this project. Being skilled in mainly software it would have to be that sort of outcome. With stong interests in the way we use both the digital environment and our real world environment i would like to experiment with connections between the two. Whether it is by looking at the way we navigate through those environments, or what we use them for.
Navigation would be a keystroke or a mouse click from page to page moving our way gradually getting to the final page. It could be knowing which page you want to co to and typing in its address getting there instantly or it could be a more indirect route via a search engine. while real world navigation could be a physical movement to a destination directly by walking, controlling your every turn and movement. It could be getting on a bus or train, obviously you know where its going but you have no real control over how it gets to the destination.
What interfaces are there in our real world?
Interface a definition: a thing or circumstance that enables separate and sometimes incompatible elements to coordinate effectively- http://dictionary.reference.com/
For this project I wan too look at the journey I make through the digital world and real world and see if there are any connections or correlations, or just see how they compare. I have been asked to select a number of keywords which will guide my thoughts through this project and hopefully lead my down some interesting paths of exploration.
- Interface
- Environment
- Journey
- Keylogging
- Social Networking
Navigation would be a keystroke or a mouse click from page to page moving our way gradually getting to the final page. It could be knowing which page you want to co to and typing in its address getting there instantly or it could be a more indirect route via a search engine. while real world navigation could be a physical movement to a destination directly by walking, controlling your every turn and movement. It could be getting on a bus or train, obviously you know where its going but you have no real control over how it gets to the destination.
What interfaces are there in our real world?
Interface a definition: a thing or circumstance that enables separate and sometimes incompatible elements to coordinate effectively- http://dictionary.reference.com/
For this project I wan too look at the journey I make through the digital world and real world and see if there are any connections or correlations, or just see how they compare. I have been asked to select a number of keywords which will guide my thoughts through this project and hopefully lead my down some interesting paths of exploration.
- Interface
- Environment
- Journey
- Keylogging
- Social Networking
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
4- Augmented Reality - Models and Modelling
Thanks to Peter Starostin website: www.3dluvr.com/clisk3d.
I found Max a ready rigged model, i would research into how to build and rig my own 3ds model but due to time restrictions it is just not viable. This model has given me the freedom to move both the body and facial features in a manner perfect for this augmented project.
This also allowed my to focus on creating instruments for the band, so far creating the microphone and guitar which has ment learning some elements of 3ds Max modelling. If i was to have any fault with this model i would say the neck is a bit wide. If i plan to create a bass guitar i will probably just lengthen the neck, change the colour and reduce the strings. Just to save time on modelling and allow me to explore the FLAR toolkit.
Augmented Reality Band from Gavin Jones on Vimeo.
#bdat
I found Max a ready rigged model, i would research into how to build and rig my own 3ds model but due to time restrictions it is just not viable. This model has given me the freedom to move both the body and facial features in a manner perfect for this augmented project.
The FLAR Toolkit is still a mystery to me and i am spending most of my time trying to input my own models into it with no success. So for the moment i created this simulation of the sort of thing i am working on:
The timing is a bit out but i had to do the sequence in 3ds Max then input into After effects to put the music in. It is a rough prototype:
#bdat
3- Augmented Reality - Idea Related Research
Here is a video i found on youtube exploring full size augmented reality. i probably would not work on this scale but it is definately a thought. Real size augmented bands could open the floor for augmented reality gigs when the visualization goggles becom a lot mor widely available and cost effective. This is a way in which my project could be developed into.
Another video i found while searching the web was this one which brings me to the idea of my stage. Looking at this video say i chose the book to be on ... High school musical... for a younger audience, i could implement my augmented reality in bringing the musical scenes to life with my character visualizations. Just another egsample of how it could be implemented:
Then there is also the stage option. for those who do not like crouded gigs and concerts or are too young to enjoy them, i could create physical pop up stages for my Augmented reality band to play in. you can move the band around in any formation, you could even put the drummer at the front if you want to go crazy :).
Another video i found while searching the web was this one which brings me to the idea of my stage. Looking at this video say i chose the book to be on ... High school musical... for a younger audience, i could implement my augmented reality in bringing the musical scenes to life with my character visualizations. Just another egsample of how it could be implemented:
Then there is also the stage option. for those who do not like crouded gigs and concerts or are too young to enjoy them, i could create physical pop up stages for my Augmented reality band to play in. you can move the band around in any formation, you could even put the drummer at the front if you want to go crazy :).
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