Process

So here are some images from our process

This is our original sketch for the project, the earliest phase of ideation, when we first started to play with the idea of making a "painting" that responds to touch.

This is the tentative build diagram that we used as the original design, and which we modeled the early prototypes after. Originally we were going to try and use flex sensors, but after testing a few flex sensors we realized that they would not be sensitive enough for our needs. We then switched to using Force sensors, frantically over-nighting them from spark fun. We still stuck to this basic design, except we had to reduce the number of sensors and size of the final piece.

This is our earliest functional prototype. The force sensor was placed in the middle of this ply-wood backing, the wires for the sensor were pulled through a tiny hole, were it was then connected to an arduino. This prototype was basically just to see if we would be able to make the force sensor pick up touch.

Here is another image of the various materials we used in the early prototype. we tried foam core, blue foam, synthetic wool cloth, styrofoam, wood, and satin cloth. We tried various materials until we got the right amount of sensitivity in the Force sensor as well as the right feel for the user. We eventually settled on a hard wood back, two layers of wool, foam core, another layer of wool, and then the satin.
Here is a image of the back of the final piece. You can see the hard wood backing, the hole with the red and black wires going through to the sensor, the two speakers, and the shelf for arduino and the 9v. battery pack.

Overall I was very happy with the final piece. Building it was a long and difficult process, especially for Sarah who fought tirelessly with the Arduino code. Although we prototyped the earlier version together, we were not able to test the final piece until the crit itself-Im quite proud of the fact that the whole thing worked the first time it was actually put together. Also I believe that the piece functioned extremely well and was a finished piece. Some people pointed out that he piece was perhaps too small, too sexual, or to quiet...well i would have to disagree, the piece is supposed to be sensual in nature, we wanted to create a new way to interact with art; sensual interaction is a very provocative interaction, and we wanted that punch in the piece. For this reason, the size, sexuality, and quietness of the piece all work with our intentions, making the interaction between the art and the viewer more intimate.

That said, i will admit one problem with the piece, it just isn't as sensitive as we would have liked. We wanted the piece to respond to the lightest, most delicate touch, but we were not able to achieve such great sensitivity. This is a problem i feel that we could fix if given a little more time to work with the actual piece.