Physical Computing’s Greatest Hits (and misses)
I used to believe that something could only be considered unique if it was entirely new or never seen before. That made me overlook the value of familiarity. But now, I’ve come to understand that familiarity isn’t a limitation—it can actually deepen meaning and make an idea more impactful. From reading about the musical instrument examples and others too, I realized how something as common as an instrument can still be a powerful space for creativity and interaction. It showed me how familiar forms can be reimagined in playful, thoughtful ways. This has shifted how I think about uniqueness, and I’m now considering using the concept of a musical instrument as inspiration for my final project—not because it’s entirely new, but because it holds potential for creative reinterpretation.
Making Interactive Art: Set the Stage, Then Shut Up and Listen
This was such an eye-opening and exciting read—it completely shifted how I view and approach interactive art and media. Before engaging with the article, I believed it was essential not only to guide the audience on how to interact with my work but also to explain how they should feel while doing so. I struggled with finding the boundary between offering direction and allowing personal interpretation. Now, I understand that interactive art is less about delivering a fixed message and more about creating an open-ended environment—one that invites the audience to explore, interpret, and respond in their own unique way. It’s not about scripting every possible outcome but rather about designing the space, the elements, and the cues in a way that encourages genuine engagement and discovery. Going forward, I aim to embrace this approach in my future projects. I want to focus more on creating spaces that speak for themselves—spaces that offer intuitive cues, invite interaction, and allow viewers to craft their own interpretations. I’m excited to stop over-explaining and start listening more, letting the dialogue between artwork and audience unfold naturally.