MRes COURSE BLOG

Modules

Links to module summary pages showing all handbooks & all related posts

Render 2012

Date: 20th-25th September*
Opening Night: 6. 00 pm, 20 September, Thursday
Location Culture Lab; Space 7, Space 4/5
Presentations – 21st September
Setting Up starts – 18 September

DMS8001 – Thinking

~~Theory Essay Outline 1: 9th December 2011~~
~~Theory Essay 1: 20th of January 2012~~
Theory Essay 2: 8th of June 2012

DMS8002 – Doing

~~Physical Computing Exhibition: 7 Dec 2012~~
Processing Exhibition: 14 Mar 2012
Graphical Programming: 6 Jun 2012

DMS8003 – Final Project
Full-time
Submission #1 – (Proposal, Feasibility Study, Online Progress Journal) 4.00pm 31 January 2012
Submission #2 -(Project Specification, Development Strategy and Work Plan) 4.00pm 17 June 2012
Submission #3 – (Dissertation) 4.00pm 31 July 2012 ( !)
Submission #4 – (Final Project Oral Presentation, Exhibition in MRes Degree Show / RENDER’12) September 2012

Part-time
Submission #1 – (Proposal, Feasibility Study, Online Progress Journal) 4.00pm 31 August 2011
Submission #2 -(Project Specification, Development Strategy and Work Plan) 4.00pm 31 January 2012
Submission #3 – (Dissertation) 4.00pm 31 July 2012 (!)
Submission #4 – (Final Project Oral Presentation, Exhibition in MRes Degree Show / RENDER’12) September 2012

DMS8006 – Creative Web

~~Identity assignment: 5pm, 27th October 2011~~
~~Midterm presentation: 17th November 2011~~
~~Final project presentation: 12th January 2012~~
~~Final project critical commentary: 5pm, 19th January 2012~~

SEMESTER 2

Live Electronic Performance

Published on August 5, 2011 2:08 pm.
Filed under: Uncategorized

Creative Web – reminder

Creative Web students – the presentations next week will take place at 4pm in space 7 – Please note the change of time.

Published on November 16, 2012 5:05 pm.
Filed under: Announcements, Creative Web and Interactive Narrative

Creative Web 2012 / 2013 – Week 7

The beginning of the session was spent discussing project ideas – remember to keep it simple, achievable and to be open minded / creative about how people will interact with the work. A strong idea and concept is key – once you have that the rest will follow.

IMPORTANT: Next week’s presentations will be held at 4pm in space 7. You should be able to access the space before the session if you want to test out the computer / projector etc.

Details »

Published on November 12, 2012 7:59 pm.
Filed under: Creative Web and Interactive Narrative

Creative Web 2012/2013 – week 6

A summary of week 5 of the Creative Web module…

Details »

Published on November 5, 2012 6:48 pm.
Filed under: Creative Web and Interactive Narrative

Creative Web 2012/13 Week 5

We began the session by wrapping up assignment 1 – the deadline for which has now passed.

The remainder of the session Stevie presented his own practice and various examples of electronic literature.

You can download a pdf of the slides here:

electronic_literature_slides

They don’t include the images relating to Stevie’s work but you can find most of them on his website: http://stevieronnie.com

The final project brief was presented and discussed. You can download an electronic copy of it here:

project brief 2013

Published on October 29, 2012 8:29 pm.
Filed under: Creative Web and Interactive Narrative

Creative Web 2012/2013 – Week 4

Identity assignment
————————-

The session revolved around a discussion of progress that has been made on the first assignment.

Students were reminded to post online and comment on the online posts of others in order to gain maximum marks for participation.

Creative Web student blogs are available at:

http://dm.ncl.ac.uk/petehebden/

http://dm.ncl.ac.uk/johnadams/

http://dm.ncl.ac.uk/esraa/

http://dm.ncl.ac.uk/nikolas/

Details »

Published on October 22, 2012 7:02 pm.
Filed under: Creative Web and Interactive Narrative

Creative Web 2012/13 – week 3

Introduction
—————–
After catching up on introductions we looked at the DM courseblog and developed some fictional characters for use in the first assignment (which was also assigned). We then discussed the history of the internet and introduced the idea of web 2.0.

It was noted that the schedule (including some of the assignment deadlines) has been changed to reflect the session which was not held last week. Please use the online schedule (on the creative web page of the DM courseblog) for the avoidance of any doubt with regards to submission deadlines etc. If you are unsure contact Stevie for confirmation.

Details »

Published on October 15, 2012 6:42 pm.
Filed under: Creative Web and Interactive Narrative

Creative Web 2012/13 week 1

Welcome to Creative Web and Interactive Narrative! Here’s a summary of the introductory session…

Details »

Published on October 1, 2012 1:00 pm.
Filed under: Creative Web and Interactive Narrative

Thinking 1 – Applied Philosophy: Philosophy of Technology 1/2

Applied Philosophy: Philosophy of Technology 1

Introduction to Phenomenology
Martin Heidegger and the Tool
Concept of Embodiment and Immersion

Applied Philosophy: Philosophy of Technology 1
Reading Material: Martin Heidegger: Being and Time

Applied Philosophy: Philosophy of Technology 2

Don Ihde’s Experimental Phenomenology
Paul Dourish’ Embodied Interaction
Concept of Embodiment /Disembodiment and Immersion

Philosophy of Technology 2: Embodiment, Disembodiment and Immersion

Published on February 16, 2012 4:21 am.
Filed under: Thinking Tags: embodiment, philosophy, technology

Thinking 2 – The Philosophy of Experience: Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s approach to consciousness and embodiement

The Philosophy of Experience

Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s approach to consciousness and embodiement

Reading Material: Page 3-12 http://www.scribd.com/doc/4877219/M-MerleauPonty-Phenomenology-of-Perception

PDF Document of the Presentation – Maurice Merleau-Ponty_15Feb12

Published on February 16, 2012 2:29 am.
Filed under: Thinking Tags: philosophy

Processing – 2 – More Programming (Tom Schofield), 16/2/11

This week we continue with some programming fundamentals namely:

arrays and array lists
“for” loops
functions and scope
classes
libraries

Aims and Objectives

This session is once again designed to be as “ground up” as possible within the restraints of time. We will focus more on the tricky bits that are likely to trip people up when working alone. Although it’s really tempting to jump straight in and start working with images, text, movies or libraries my intention is to try and get people towards the stage where they will be better equipped to use processing more creatively/independently.

Arrays and array lists

//ArrayExample

Arrays are a way of storing sets or lists of data of any type. They have a finite size which you can find by adding .length to the end of your variable like this:

println(myArray.length);

The reference number which tells you which part of the array (element) we are looking at is the index which you can find between square brackets:

in myArray[5] the “5″ refers to the 6th element in the array because arrays start at zero which can be confusing!

For loops – (iteration) Details »

Published on February 8, 2012 7:09 pm.
Filed under: Doing

THINKING – 23/11/11 – Introduction to the Philosophy of Human Experience

Art & Science 1: What is Consciousness?

Introduction into the philosophical and scientific concept of cognition
Descartes, Body-Mind problem
Cognitive Sciences, Scientific Methods

Reading: Susan Blackmore – Consciousness: An Introduction 2003

More info: http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/Books/Consciousness/cons.htm

Published on November 29, 2011 3:50 pm.
Filed under: Thinking

THINKING – 26/10/11 – The History of Interactivity I

“The History of Interactivity I” session will explore the concept of “interaction” and how this has been transformed by the applications of modern technology. We look into artistic and design applications of interfaces and discuss the current states of digital media and emerging technologies. We will talk about the human-technology interrelationship and compare that with the artwork-spectator relationship.The session will provide a comprehensive overview of pioneering scientists and artist working in the field of interactive art and interface design.

The History of Interaction 1

Readings:

The History of the Interface in Interactive Art, Söke Dinkla, 1994 http://www.kenfeingold.com/dinkla_history.html

Transforming Mirrors: Subjectivity and Control in Interactive MediaDavid Rokeby, 1995 http://homepage.mac.com/davidrokeby/mirrors.html

ZICS, B., 2008. Transparency, Cognition and Interactivity: Toward a New Aesthetic for Media Art. PhD Thesis. Newport, Wales: University of Wales http://www.trans-techresearch.net/?page_id=26 PDF: http://www.trans-techresearch.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/phd_zics_2008_limited.pdf
Resources: MediaArtTube:

Video Lecture: Alan Kay: Doing with Images Makes Symbols (1987)
http://www.archive.org/details/AlanKeyD1987
http://www.archive.org/details/AlanKeyD1987_2

Published on October 27, 2011 9:39 am.
Filed under: Thinking Tags: interaction

DOING – 01/11/11 – Sensors (Inputs) and Actuators (Outputs)

Housekeeping

Results from your sensor walk assignments
Questions from Arduino assignments – anything you’d like to show us, talk about? You should have…

Rationale

Today will be a quite practical session – looking at the input and output options for your Arduino systems. We’ll also go through some tips and trips for programming with Arduino.

From Last Week

Go through the Arduino_SecondExamples.zip – what’s going on in there…
We’ll develop a few more practical examples in class

Details »

Published on October 19, 2011 12:53 pm.
Filed under: Doing

DOING – 19/10/11 – Intro to Electronics and Microcontrollers

Housekeeping

Results from your technology analysis assignments
Questions from Arduino assignments – anything you’d like to show us, talk about? You should have…
- Tried examples on the Arduino site of…
  - Blking an LED
  - Reading in a sensor and reading it to the serial port
  - Having the sensor input change the brightness of the LED
  - EXAMPLES FROM CLASS: Arduino_FirstExamples.zip
- Read:
  - Paul Verilio @ Vice Magazine
    - “The invention of the ship was also the invention of the shipwreck.”
    - Robustness / delicateness of systems: “So you go from the plane that can go really fast to the plane that can’t fly at all.”
    - “I believe that you must appreciate technology just like art.”
    - On valuing perhaps subtly different forms of innovation – 4chan founder
    - Speed and evolutions – swift animals usually have large eyes
  - McLuhan Understanding Media (Chapter 4 – The Gadget Lover)

Rationale

Today we’ll look at what is happening underneath the hood of the Arduino a little – how it represents and processes “the world.”

As well, we’ll look at some further elements you should know about for control of and measurement in your projects.

From Last Week

What is happening when we ask the Arduino to ‘blink’?
Analog = Analogous
- Hold hands!
- The squeezing of a hand… –> Drawing on the board
- What are the characteristics of this (instantaneous/atemporal, subjective)?
More than one link in the chain…
- Transferring a signal between more than one person
- What about long distances (or even short distances accurately)?
- What would be a better way to do this?What are the characteristics of this (synchronous, memory based, objective)?

Details »

Published on October 19, 2011 10:10 am.
Filed under: Doing

DOING – 05/10/11 – This Thing We Call Technology

Housekeeping

Meet n’ Greet tonight at the Trent House
Main schedule is here
Go over the module handbook – dms8002_handbook_doing_051011.pdf
Talk about expectations/goals (Richard, Brigitta, Culture Lab researchers)
Delivery style and pace
This blog – Your blog (Richard Bate)
Our extensive use of Wikipedia on these notes is emphatically intentional – you are the best people to be engaging with a new shared conception of knowledge and fact (correct mistakes! help generate our posteriori reality! join the conversation!)

Rationale

So. This class iis about creative reflections on technology, and using technology. We’re not necessarily always interested in the ‘right way’ to do things, in terms of commercial production, or how the manual tells you to use software, etc. We are, however, interested in looking critically at tools, their use, and the assumptions and values they embody.

Most generally – the approach we’ll take in this class is about establishing a playful relationship with technology. Something akin to playing with physical materials – an outlook that speaks of having some understanding of the fact that there is no technical difference between the ‘digital’ and ‘analog’… It’s all the same damn world, the same “reality.”

Details »

Published on October 5, 2011 11:59 am.
Filed under: Doing

Presentation Schedule 22nd/23rd September – Final Project

Presentations on the 22nd in Space 8

Session 1

12.30 pm Jane Dudman – exhibition

1.00 pm Ben Thompson – exhibition

1.30 pm Joseph Pochciol – exhibition

2.00 pm Aaron Smiles – exhibition

2.30 pm Internal/External Examiner Discussion

Session finishes by 3.00

3.00 Tea/Coffee Break

Session 2

3.30 pm Sanjay Mortimer – exhibition

4.00 pm Helen Collard – exhibition + performance 6.30-8.30

4.30 pm Pengfei Zhang – exhibition

5.00 pm Alessandro Altavilla – exhibition + outdoor activity

5.30 pm Internal/External Examiner Discussion

Session finishes by 6.00

6.30 pm Exhibition Opening: Culture Lab Space 4/5, 7

8.30 pm Northern Stage Performances
8:30 Andrew Nixon
9:00 Ewelina Aleksandrowicz and Andrzej Wojtas
9.30 Benjamin Freeth

Presentations on the 23rd – 9.00 am, Location: Space 11

Session 3

9.00 am Ewelina Aleksandrowicz – performance/exhibition

9.25 am Andrzwej Wojtas – performance/exhibition

9.50 am Andrew Nixon – performance

10.15 am Ben Freeth – performance

10.40 Internal/External Examiner Discussion

Session finishes by 11.10

Published on September 13, 2011 11:51 am.
Filed under: Announcements, Final Project

DOING – 11/05/11 – Max MSP 2

Hello,

FIRSTLY: THE THEME FOR THE SUBMISSION IS ‘FRAGMENTATION‘

Today we had a look at Jitter – the video part of max. This hopefully brings out some of the sublime fun you can have when you are treating everything as data, and interconnecting audio, math and video processes. Max MSP is particularly good for this kind of thing, giving you an environment where you can improvise + explore this interconnectedness.

Here is a bundle of patches, with instructions + explanations:

http://www.mediafire.com/?dldq4olh57jqbv3

Adam

Published on May 13, 2011 9:37 am.
Filed under: LEP

DOING – 27/04/11 – Introduction to Max MSP

We had a look at some of the basic principles of Max MSP and Pure Data

*Max MSP and Pure Data are both based on the ‘Max’ paradigm developed by Miller Puckette at Ircam in the 1980s. Both are very similar: Max can be visually more accessible, and a little more user friendly, but unlike Pure Data you have to pay for it. There are some different ‘objects’ and approaches in each, but nothing too significant: if you learn one, you’ll be able to figure out the other.

*Both are (almost) ‘object oriented’ programming languages. Objects are basically little boxes that do a job, and we connect objects together with patch cords. Objects communicate to each other with messages.

Here is a small bundle of simple Max patches with some instructions in the comments:

http://www.mediafire.com/?v92fmved0937kpc

If you don’t know what an object does, look at it’s help files (shift-cmd-h). In the help file, if you click ‘open reference’ at the top of the window, you’ll find out what messages and arguments the object takes. Also take a look at the tutorials if you can.

Published on May 3, 2011 12:35 pm.
Filed under: LEP