SPRING 2006 @ ITP

Lunar Drums

Group project with Jun Oh and Hsiao-Ho Hsu. Developped the idea of "Dragond Drum".

Description >>

This is a new musical interface inspired by Taiko, a traditional Japanese drumming form. The musical and design aspects of our drum have been reinterpreted to encourage people to maximize their body movement while playing, creating pleasant interactions between performers and audiences.

Background >>

Lunar Drums consist of a set of three ring-shaped interfaces, representing Taiko drums. Unlike traditional wood and skin drums, the rims of Lunar Drums provide the active input surface. A dynamic visualization is added to the performance by the interplay of light and sound when the drummer plays the instrument. One may configure the drums in sets of three allowing for multiple performers or a dance-like performance by one.
These drums are unique in their ability to produce melody as well as rhythm. The notes of a major scale - Do Re Me Fa So La Tee Do - are arrayed along the rim of the drum. Moving along the edge of the drum from its base the pitch becomes higher. Using this interface, a performer expresses and interprets music through body movement. Lunar Drums also function as conduits through which children and adults can explore human gesture. See our video clip.

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FALL 2005 @ ITP

inTension

Group project with Michael Horan, for "Designing for 5 Senses" by Sigi Moeslinger from Antenna Design. The project is now shown on ITP.

Description >>

inTension is an interactive sound environment offering users the ability to explore sound and performance with their entire body.

Background >>

inTension was conceptualized as an object that utilizes interactivity's potential for playful engagement and performance. We wanted to address the social quality of music, and create an installation that would allow multiple users to 'perform' together. Our criteria was to create something visually compelling, sonically musical and physically durable. For more detail, see our project website, or check our movie (ITP winter show 2005 / user interaction / inside of the inTension). Also, watch ITP Winter Show Video of Cool Hunting on January 13, 2006.

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LightTouch

Group project with Ernesto Rios and Michael Horan, for "Designing for 5 Senses" by Sigi Moeslinger from Antenna Design.

Description >>

LightTouch is a touch-activated light that illuminates a user's path. There are some situations when we don't need to light up the whole room. For example, you want to turn on a light for the bathroom in the middle of the night, yet you don't want to wake up others. Or, you come back late and want to turn on the entrance light without disturbing anyone. Or, places such as stairs and hallways where you need to light up the place you are standing… In these cases, you only need a faint light to light up around you. It is with these scenarios in mind that we created a light that illuminates when you touch it.

Background >>

This project was created in response to a class challenge - how do you offer a tactile experience that enhances the context and is closely related to the visual effect of the controlled light? For more detail, see our project websit and video clip.

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SPRING 2005 @ ITP

Dragon Drum

Group project with Jun Oh, for "Toy Design Workshop" by Danny Rozin. Chosen as the best toy in the class and invited to Mattel Design Summit 2005 at the head office in LA.

Description >>

"Simply, it's fun!" That is the reason why people like to play Taiko, a traditional Japanese drum. This is our conclusion after interviewing a Taiko craftsman, professional Taiko players, and kid/adult Taiko trainees. Sharing similar Asian drum culture, we both understand this enjoyment. In both of our countries, Japan and Korea, kids and adults play drums together for festivals. Yet, continuing research, we also realized some of Taiko’s negative aspects, such as its difficult to control the volume, difficult to carry, and hard to find a teacher… So, we designed a portable toy musical instrument, named Dragon Drum, with which children can instinctively explore different kinds of Asian beats. We made our first prototype focusing on Dragon Drum’s Play Mode option, which is performed by children who want to be creative or practice by themselves. Our next version of prototype will include a Game Mode which allows two or more children to perform together wirelessly through the Internet. For more detail, check the presentation document and users' scenario video.

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