Perspectives is a prototype of an interactive installation centered on color, light, and materials, that is both visually engaging and thought-provoking. By sliding the RGB scales on the connected computers, visitors select the outer color on their screen and the complimentary color from across the color wheel is automatically generated inside.
Visitors on each side of the installation control the color combinations viewed by the other. In this way, they must physically move to view their own inputs, thereby viewing the installation and the inputs from others from different perspectives. The 32x32 pixel LED matrices are joined by a 3D printed cylinder that is interchangeable for different visual effects and the color combinations created together inside the cylinder are always unique.
The Challenge
What is an interactive system? What is the "goal" of an interactive system? What is the role of the user in such systems? Experiment and, through a practical approach with a strong focus on code, try to find answers to these questions by programming LED matrices.
The Solution
The focus of Perspectives is experimenting with how different materials refract color and light. Programmed in Processing, the LED matrices show the same pulsing animation with an inner and outer circle. The inner and outer colors on each screen are always complimentary, as they are programmed to correspond across the color wheel. What is especially interesting, is to observe the surprising blending of colors that happens inside the 3D printed cylinder. Although conceived of as an interactive installation, Perspectives could also be an artistic home light system.
The Process
1
Prototyping Process
We were immediately intrigued by the visual possibilities of exploring how different materials interact with the light from the matrices. From the first day of the workshop, we experimented with adding various materials, in different shapes, on top of the box, such as fabric, colored plastic, paper, patterned glass, and 3D-printed shapes. We wanted to create a voluminous effect that looks like the light is moving through the cylinder.
The original idea was to include different patterns for the user to choose from at the same time as changing the colors, but we discovered that simpler pulsing patterns "pushed" light through the cylinder for a better visual effect. These tests show a cylinder made out of heavy tracing paper.
Further experiments with light and shadow. In these tests, the mouse controls the moving light, using Processing. Shadows inside the cylinder are formed by organic 3D-printed objects.
Once we settled on 3D-printed cylinders as our primary material, we tested different filaments, machines, and print settings, such as line height and thickness. The final version includes one tube printed with a Prusa (shown below on the left) and another with a Bambu (right side below). Each gives a different light effect. The higher print quality leads to a smoother light effect, where the more visible lines from the Prusa print carry the light more dynamically.
The light matrices are held in laser-cut boxes. The plexiglass front piece is clear to let the light shine through and hit the outside of the cylinder. A 108mm cut-out hole creates a resting place for the cylinders so they can easily be changed depending on the desired light style. Further cylinder styles could be experimented with and added in the future.
2
Exhibition
The final installation was presented in an academic setting, where visitors could experience the interactive nature of the piece:
Installation SetupStrategic placement of the matrices to encourage movement and interaction between visitors
User ExperienceVisitors discovered how their color choices affected others' views, creating a unique visual interaction
DocumentationRecording of user interactions and color combinations for future reference and analysis
