In class, we all discussed our backgrounds prior to coming into ITP and what we look forward to creating in the field of physical computing. Right now, I have many ideas but as it stands, I’d like to create something that combines functionality with art and technology. It’s very arbitrary at the moment, but I am fascinated with the next generation of tools and appliances. Just as phones and other tech continues to evolve - what about the physical essentials we all use? Are they at their full potential as it stands? Whether that be a new form of a table or a chair that combines technology, I’m excited to explore this silver lining.
In Professor Rozin’s presentation, we discussed the whole concept of interaction. He mentioned the phone as the ultimate generalist tool since it can do everything, but also noted the need for specific devices or tools for particular events. This is where physical computing comes along. What struck me was how interaction doesn’t just live in a screen, but can be built into the world around us: through sensors, inputs, and outputs that respond to our presence and actions. Thinking about the phone as both powerful and limited made me realize that physical computing offers a way to rethink the tools we take for granted. A chair, a table, even something as ordinary as a lamp could be reimagined to communicate, sense, or respond in unexpected ways.
The tools we received in class consisted of the following:
The tools from the kit in class
The first concept I decided to dive into was setting up the breadboard. The Arduino and cables felt like Legos to me and I just had an urge to get things in the right place. However, I was missing male to male jumper wires. I went ahead to The Shop where I ended up finding some, except they weren’t plugging into the breadboard. It was here where I had to use a wire stripper for the first time in order to get the right fit for the breadboard. Learning how to trim the wire to the right length and peel back the rubber coating felt like my first small step into really working hands-on with electronics.