Generative Art Graphic Tool

ICAM160 Senior Project by Miki Nobumori
built with Processing

This graphic tool is designed for young children to create fractal-based generative art using a game controller. The goal is to get children excited and motivated about math, by having them create aesthetic digital artworks through their own hands.

I chose a game controller as the GUI because most people are familiar with the use of it, it gives instant response and gratification, and children usually associate with it something fun.

Over time, my project has evolved into a more interactive piece where the user has more power and control over the resulting image. The equations I included so far are: the Archimedean spiral, Peter De Jong attractor, and the tree fractal. In addition to being able to control and alter the shapes, children can also change color, rotate, filter, and view the image from a 3-dimensional perspective. I think that one of the key attractive focus for children is color effect, and the game controller lets them easily add filter/color effects with the press of a button. Another attractive aspect is the 3D attribute that allows the user to shift the shape like a paint brush through 3-dimensional space by using the joystick. It can introduce children to the idea of the z-axis, or just add interesting overlapping effects to their images.

I tested out this project on some students from my cooperating EDS class, Mrs. Mena's second grade class from North Terrace Elementary, Oceanside. At first, they were a little confused about what each button did, but after several minutes of playing around with it, they started making some unique art!

students works:

week 10

Last week, I had the chance to try out my graphic program on students from my cooperative classroom for EDS128A, Mrs. Mena's 2nd grade class from North Terrace Elementary School. The students' ages range between 7~8, so they were perfect for me to explore their developmental process. I received useful feedback from them, and plan on implementing their opinions into my project.

I've added several "effect" buttons to the program, such as paint brush size, color, 3D effect, and camera angle.

Here is an example of a drawing with a 3D aspect and change in color:


This is an example where the camera angle was used to create circular objects, thus allowing the user more flexibility when drawing their shapes:

This example shows the effects of 3D drawn with a thicker brush stroke:

The part I am still working on/struggling with are the different equations that I'm going to be using. I know that drawing spirals would get repetitive, and I really want to incorporate Mandelbrot, Fibonacci, and the tree fractals. One student expressed that he would like more control over the drawing, so I may add a regular brush tool to my program as well.

new direction

By putting less emphasis on structured fractal rules and more on flexibility, my new plan is to create a generative art graphic tool where the user has more control over how the image appears. I still want to continue working with fractal equations, while keeping in mind that my user-audience is directed at elementary school children, particularly ages 7-12. I chose this range because my professor brought up a good point about how children cannot process visual complexity until a certain age; according to Jean Piaget, children from age 7 to 12 are able to begin thinking logically in concrete thoughts with practical aids. Also, I currently work with a class of second graders (around age 7) for my Education Studies practicum and I would like to try out the project on them.


My Goals:

My goal is to get children to explore with the tool and create a variety of original artworks that they would want to save or even print out. While doing so, I also want them to get excited about math (or possibly even grow an appreciation for it), and realize that it can create appealing art simply by altering some numbers or code using a familiar control interface (the game controller).
My interest lies in abstract/organic generative art and I would like the created images to have those characteristics, but because I have to keep in mind that it must appeal to young children, I plan on incorporating vibrant colors and simple shapes (circles, triangle, square, stars? etc).
My other goal is the explore a child's developmental process, which according to Piaget grows through reflection abstraction, empirical abstraction, and cognitive stage (detailed definition at the bottom of this post).


The Graphic Tool Interface:
I would like to exploring several fractal equations including spirals (Archimedean, Cornu, Fibonacci, Loxodrome), tree, and the Mandelbrot.

So far, I am working on the spiral:
- When the graphic tool first starts up and the user clicks on the interface to draw, a small spiral will generate from that coordinate. The user will be able to change the direction and create new spirals using the joystick. This initial layer functions as the wire-frame view, which appears to be structured but give a straightforward image of the fractals that they've created.
- using different buttons on the controller, the user will be able to transform their visual by applying color filters, altering values in the equation (which could make drastic or even random changes to the pattern and shape), or making changes in the code so that the command changes while keeping the same values (translate(), popMatrix(), rotate(), bezier()... etc.).

first layer:

after one type of basic "color filter":

The Developmental Process

• child performs an action which has an effect on or organizes objects, and the child is able to note the characteristics of the action and its effects

• “reflecting abstraction” -through repeated actions, with variations or in different contexts, child is able to differentiate and integrate its elements and effects

• “empirical abstraction” -child is able to identify the properties of objects by the way different kinds of action affect them

• forming a new “cognitive stage” -by repeating this process across a wide range of objects and actions, child establishes a new level of knowledge and insight

• once the child has constructed these new kinds of knowledge, he or she starts to use them to create still more complex objects and to carry out still more complex actions

Prototype

fractal art form from square patterns arranged on an Archimedean spiral equation:



















Children can interact with this piece using the joysticks on the gamecontroller. So far, they can alter the rotation of the square (which changes the pattern of the fractal entirely) or adjust the proportion of the primary square in the center.

Other factors that I want to be to make flexible are:

• other geometric shapes (stars, triangles, circles... etc)
• other fractal equations and patterns
• color
• proportion between adjacent shapes
  

Also, I want tabs to pop up on the side that gives shape name, rotation angle, and proportions so that students can see both visually and numerically what they are doing to transform their fractal art.

Project Timeline

Fall quarter:
have a working prototype

Winter quarter:
week 1-5: finish my prototype and create a fully working program.
week 6-7: hold a workshop for children to play and interact with my project; make alterations or additions if necessary.
week 8-9: make improvements on the program and hold another workshop. Make a collection of artworks produced by children.
week 10: complete and present my senior project. If possible, invite children to the gallery to show them their artworks on display.

Rough Project Budget

Saitek P990 Dual Analog Pad $20
projector (if I want to project the screen onto a wall?) approx $100

miscellaneous:
travel cost: to get to the elementary school down South (National City area) where I can hold a workshop for children so they can test out my program
printing cost: to print out each student's fractal works that they've created

interface tool and user interaction

different interfaces to think about:

• input, instant gratification
• how disabled children may interact with this program
• limited mobility keyboards
• electronic interfaces
• game controller
• ddr pad
• touch pad

I have decided to use the Saitek P990 Dual Analog Pad, because it allows multi physical interaction. It contains:

• two joysticks
• 4 main buttons
• 8-way circular button