Week 26

Workshops

This week, we were introduced to a new task that focuses on integrating sensors into a product of our choice. We began by exploring the Design Thinking framework, which provided a structured approach to ideating and developing our project. I found this particularly useful in understanding how to approach problem-solving from a user-centred perspective. After the introduction, we were given time to explore a variety of Arduino sensors freely. This workshop helped me familiarise myself with the different sensors available and sparked some initial ideas for possible product concepts. The flexibility to choose our own sensor for the final product made the task more engaging and allowed for creativity. Additionally, we investigated the theory behind the various types of communication methods our sensors use. This included understanding how different sensors transmit and receive data, which will be essential as we move forward in developing our products. Overall, it was a productive week that laid a strong foundation for the upcoming stages of our project work.

Lecture

This week, we had a special workshop led by Frazer Merrick, who taught us how to create a MIDI controller using Arduinos. It was an engaging and informative session that combined both hardware and music technology. Frazer walked us through the basics of MIDI communication and how we can use Arduino components to send MIDI signals to digital audio workstations. I learned how to connect sensors and buttons to the Arduino and program them to trigger MIDI notes or control parameters such as volume or pitch. The workshop was a great opportunity to see how creative coding and electronics can be applied in a musical context, and it gave me new ideas for interactive sound-based projects. Overall, it was a valuable and inspiring experience.