Fall 2021 Weekly Schedule

Week 1 (Aug. 30 & Sept. 1st)

Primitive shapes, Programming concepts

Install Processing on your computer: https://processing.org/download/

Assignments:

    • Production:
      • Due Sept. 6th (post documentation on blog): Make a self-portrait using Processing.
        • The portrait must be entirely created by your code i.e. you must not interact with your computer while the portrait is being made (e.g. no drawing using the mouse)
        • The portrait does not need to be dynamic (i.e. it does not need to change while we look at it)
        • The portrait does not need to be realistic. The purpose is to practice using the simple drawing functions.
    •  Reading:
Week 2 (Sept. 6 & 8)

Animation, Conditionals, Loops

Assignments:

Week 3 ( Sept. 13 & 15)

Functions, Arrays, and Object-Oriented Programming

Assignments:

  • Production:
    • Due Sept. 20th (post documentation on blog): Create a generative artwork using Object-Oriented Programming. You may use arrays if you wish. Pay attention to the structure, clarity, and organization of your program. As always, document your project:
      • Well commented code, especially for any confusing or tricky parts
      • References to any examples or inspiration
      • Functions as needed to organize your program
      • Excellent names for variables and functions
      • Post code and one or more images
      • Describe the overall concept of your artwork
      • Include the image(s) or link(s) to video
      • Describe any problems you ran into
  • Reading:
Week 4 (Sept. 20 &  22)

Loading Data, Displaying text  (for class)

Assignments:

Week 5 (Sept. 27 & 29)

Image Processing, introduce Midterm Project (download for class)

Assignments:

  • Production:
    • Due Oct. 6th (post documentation on blog): Make some progress on your midterm project:
      • Midterm Project:
        • Make a game using everything you have learned so far
        • Due Oct. 13th
        • Can be one or more players
        • Must include
          • At least one shape
          • At least one image (and/or use of PGraphics and/or pixel access)
          • At least one sound
          • At least one on-screen text
        • The game must start with a screen giving instructions, and must wait there until a button or key (your choice) is pressed
        • After the game is won or lost, there must be a way to restart the game without closing and restarting the program
  • Reading:
Week 6 (Oct. 4 & 6)

Sound (download for use in class)

Assignments:

  • Production:
        • Complete Midterm
Week 7 (Oct. 11 & 13)
Midterm due – Oct. 13th

Assignments (do this before Oct. 25th):

    • Get your kit from the bookstore.
    • You will need a USB-A port. If you have a modern laptop with only USB-C ports, you will need to borrow or buy a USB-A to USB-C adapter.
    • Install the Arduino IDE from here. If you are on Windows chose the Windows Installer.
    • In your kit is a bundle of jumper wires with a very tight zip tie that must be carefully removed. Please do this before class because it may take you a while to find the right tool. A sharp pair of scissors should work. A knife might damage the wires and hurt you.

    • Be careful not to damage the wires or yourselves!
FALL BREAK
Week 8 (Oct. 25 & 27)

Introduction to Electricity, arduino digital input & output

Assignments:

Week 9 (Nov. 1 & 3)

Arduino: analog input & output

Assignments:

  • Production:
    • Due Nov. 10th (post documentation on blog): Get information from at least one analog sensor and at least one digital sensor (switch), and use this information to control at least two LEDs, one in a digital fashion and the other in an analog fashion, in some creative way.
  • Reading:
Week 10 (Nov. 8 & 10)

Sound, Servo motor, Mapping

Assignments:

  • Production:
    • Due Nov. 17th (post documentation on blog) – group assignment (2 people per group):  In pairs, make a musical instrument
      • You must use at least one digital sensor (switch)
      • You must use at least one analog sensor (photoresistor, potentiometer, or distance measuring sensor)
  • Reading:

Week 11 (Nov. 15 & 17)

Serial Communication, introduce Final Project

Assignments:

  • Production:
    • Due Nov. 22nd (each person, not just one for a group, should post code for each exercise, and video of just the LED lighting up with the ball bouncing) Work in the groups from class to finish the three in-class examples exercises:
      1. make something that uses only one sensor  on arduino and makes the ellipse in processing move on the horizontal axis, in the middle of the screen, and nothing on arduino is controlled by processing
      2. make something that controls the LED brightness from processing
      3. take the gravity wind example (https://github.com/aaronsherwood/introduction_interactive_media/blob/master/processingExamples/gravityExamples/gravityWind/gravityWind.pde) and make it so every time the ball bounces one led lights up and then turns off, and you can control the wind from one analog sensor
    • Due Nov. 24th (post documentation on blog): Write a preliminary concept for your final project, which must incorporate both Arduino and Processing.
      • Final project prompt (examples are listed on syllabus page)
        • Create a physically interactive system of your choice that relies on a multimedia computer for some sort of processing or data analysis. The Final should use BOTH Processing AND Arduino.Your focus should be on careful and timely sensing of the relevant actions of the person or people that you’re designing this for, and on clear, prompt, and effective responses. Any interactive system is going to involve systems of listening, thinking, and speaking from both parties. Whether it involves one cycle or many, the exchange should be engaging. You may work alone or in pairs.
    • EXTRA CREDIT Due Nov. 28th (post documentation on blog): Make a simple game that involves some kind of communication between Arduino and Processing
Week 12 (Nov. 22 & 24)

DC motors, Construction and Debugging, Final Project Proposal

Assignments:

  • Production:
    • Due Nov. 24th – this Wednesday (post documentation on blog): Refine your final project proposal, include the following:
      • Finalized concept for the project
      • Description of what your Arduino program will do with each input and output and what it will send to and/or receive from Processing
      • Description of what Processing program will do and what it will send to and/or receive from Arduino
    • Due Nov. 28th (post documentation on blog): Commit to your project idea and doing it as solo or group. Begin working on your final project, identify the materials/space you need, and identify what you think will be hardest to complete, and start building it. Post the final idea, material/space needs, group/solo arrangement, and your progress on the project so far.
LEGISLATIVE DAY  Nov. 28 – SUNDAY – meets on Wed. schedule 2:40-5:20pm. No class Mon. Nov. 29 & Wed. Dec. 1

Work on Final Project

Assignments:

  • Production:
    • Due Dec. 8th (post documentation on blog):
      • Get your project 90% complete
      • Conduct user testing (record video)
Week 13 (Dec. 6 & 8)

Complete Final Project

Assignments:

  • Final Project and final project documentation due at the beginning of class, Dec. 13th
Week 14 (Dec. 13)
Final Project Due Dec 13th
AND!! IM End of Semester Show – Dec. 15th 3-6pm (required)