Mid Semester Degree Project Summation

it's difficult for a traveling dj to keep track of all of his/her equipment. that's why for my senior degree project i want to propose the idea of installing large-scale, multi-touch light tables in clubs around the globe. Digital has its obvious advantages (storage, on the fly set up, easy accessible), but the problem is it doesn't look as cool as a analogue dj setup. another problem is if there are no buttons or knobs, the dj will have to look down at the screen the whole time to make sure he knows what he's doing. this is a big disconnect because he loses the needed interaction with the crowd if he's got his head buried into the table.

it would be too easy to apply already excising digital mixing software to the touchscreen, (traktor, virtual dj, etc) but lets face it, it sucks trying to turn a representation of a knob on a flat surface. my solution is a set of hand gestures that can be used to a large area on the screen to effect the parameters of a music, just like a traditional turntable and mixer. depending on the gesture, you're able to control the tempo, cue points, loop, scratch, eq's, and effects. Now the dj can interact/see the crowd and change the music parameters without having to look down (plus it looks freaking cool). each dj uses a different set of tools when they play a live show. some use turntables, some use synths. my goal is to have the light table access all equipment that's used in the analogue world (turntable, mixer, drum pads/mpc, 64 key monome, synthesizer, and effects processor).

for the rest of the semester, i will create a storyboard, film with green screen, and create motion graphics and combine all of these techniques into a video that showcases how this light table kicks ass over analogue dj equipment.

DP: planned research experiments

experiments (rapid prototyping)

• design the different types of instruments the dj's will interact with
• film hands on green screen interacting with graphics (figure out best way to integrate video of hands with after effects graphics)
• think about how hand motions may call up different functions or menu's
• practice how graphics move in after effects
• shoot different points of view of touch screen and dj interacting with it
• create story board for different scenarios show off the functionality
• create different aesthetic effects, glows, colors to instruments
• film action and produce possible graphics that correspond with that action

DP: questions and considerations

We were asked to pair with a partner and describe our degree project proposals to one another. Our partner then came up with a question that we should answer by the end of the semester.

“How can a Dj's interactions with graphic systems work to expand upon the entertainment of club goers?”
(question formed by partner michael may)


MY IDEAL CAREER–

would be a place that shared similar philosophies about work ethics; a place that knew how to get their hands dirty working, and went out afterwords to celebrate their accomplishments. We are not a single track society anymore. These minds would be able to have fun problem solving their way through video, motion graphics, sound, print, web, social and anything else that comes their way. I prefer a smaller office in which everyone was very open and accepting to new ideas and processes. I would like the office to have a comfortable working facility with natural lighting.


Personally I would like to work on a team to produce and edit videos; then design the packaging, poster, tshirts, web layout and other misc. artifacts that contribute to complete a system. I believe people (parts) have their own unique strengths that make the system (the team) complete. I love the idea of integrating motion graphics with film and sound. I'm also interested in user experience and how design may enhance the rituals of listening to the music. we become very attached to our music. you choose a very specific kind of music to listen to while you're performing different tasks or in certain situations. In the event of having no music, you become the rhythm and the sound with whatever task you're completing.

my ideal co workers would motivate and encourage me to dabble in photography, film, editing, sound, illustration, writing, layout design (print and web), kick ass, and participate in corn dog eating contests every other friday at the office.