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My schematic plan for my wrist-wearable MIDI controller. The purple lines point to the button information; the pin# and assigned MIDI keyboard notes are in the purple boxes :D

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Final project pitch: Komputor Head

Digitally enhanced over-head mask for real-time performance

Description

- A retro PC sculpture with a digital screen that I can control with a built circuit and code

- Fitted onto my head

- Display could be anything, but primarily a pixelated face which could either be controlled by myself or a second party for a real-time performance, or pre-recorded for convenience

- I already have the face rigged up and I’m able to control it with my face

- Would include voice changing / synthesis

- Includes wrist-wearable arduino-based controller

- Hardware (have)

     - Milk crate

     - Football helmet

    - External computer

    - Synth vocoder (microkorg)

    - iphone

    - breadboard + wires

Hardware (need to obtain)

    - Mkrzero microcontroller

    - More buttons

    - ipad

Software

    - Unreal Engine

    - Livelink

    - DAW (FL studio on ipad)

    - Digital voice changer/synth?

Pros

    - Super cool

    - Somewhat novel step forward in the world of performative headwear

    - Versatile real-time character-based performance

Cons

    - Definitely hinders my vision

    - Complex

    - Live face controls not perfect

    - High processing power needed

    - Possibly necessitates a 2nd party for effective performance

    - Involves several individual pieces of hardware

Questions

How would I see?

    - Possibly could have a live image capture feed into a screen in my helmet            thing

How does this involve tools and methods learned in this class?

    - Arduino wrist controller includes skills learned for fabrication and coding

    - Little bit of sewing 

    - general ideation and problem solving

Proof of concept

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j6myOIEYBB5L84LBgjQbSjePWcLNOTcL/view?usp=sharing

Inspiration

Components

Concept art

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Observation of lights

Things I noticed about lights:

Functions of light:

- Frequently used to grab attention

     - Advertising

     - Billboards, screens on subway, deli LED shows, business signage

     - Important information relevant to location

     - Emergency exit signs

     - Train arrival announcements

     - Elevator floor indicator

     - Electronic device hardware indicators / interfaces

- Safety / visibility

     - Bike lights (headlights + visibility safety lights)

     - Car headlights

     - Keeping walking areas well-lit

Characteristics of light:

- Effective in standing out, even in well lit areas

- Lights tend to be protected from theft and physical damage more than something like a street sign or paper poster advertisement

- Color seems to be paramount in terms of what these lights are accomplishing or communicating

How I can use this information in my project development:

- Bright, distinct, tastefully colored lights will help me grab and hold onto my audience’s attention

- The brighter the better (without blinding)

- Dynamic lights are infinitely more stimulating than static ones

- I can use LEDs to help me organize the useful components / live controllable aspects of my project

- I should be very conscious of the color scheme of the lights in my project– one wrong color could change the whole perception of my aesthetic to something I didn’t intend