Art:duino - The Art of Arduinos

Part 1: Introduction to Phobia

  

In this video series you will learn not only how I designed Phobia, my interactive project, but also the Components I used throughout the project. When you combine art and technology you get something extraordinary. It is a step forward in comprehending technology as a new resource for creativity. When we add Arduinos, sensors, and LED's to art, we enter the realm of physical computing. Physical computing involves using software and hardware that responds to outside sources (like sensors) and creates interactivity (your input affects computer's behaviors). 

When I begin a project, I first develop the underlying artistic concept and the design. I draw a schema of how I believe the final design will look, however, I go into the project understanding that I will need to be flexible. I then look at how to best build the piece, considering my existing resources and knowledge base. As I build, I often improve upon the design when inspiration hits. As I love to grow and create new challenges for myself, the next step invariably involves the need to increase my knowledge base.  I do this by researching documentation on existing technologies, forums, manuals, data sheets and, most importantly, through my own experimentation. My work is based on my philosophy. 

The main technology in Phobia involves electronics and custom software. Arduinos will be the base electronic for this project. I chose the Arduino because it has a quality that adds endless features to this rather small micro controller. The Arduino is open source. This means that the development team makes hardware blueprints and resources for coding the platform freely available to the public so that others can work on and improve the code. This encourages a large community of developers and enthusiasts to write code and develop new projects using the Arduino. For the magnificent works it can create, the Arduino is a cost effective solution for any developers needs. Among the resources the development team provides, they also include great documentation and ensure that the programming software is updated regularly.

Below I  introduce you to some of the Components I will be using in the Phobia Project. If you are interested in participating in the project, you might want to take a moment to look through them and make the appropriate purchases before you watch the next video (links provided).

Project Components:

Arduino:
Arduino website: http://www.arduino.cc/
An Arduino is a micro-processing chip that can be programmed to control LED's, Sensors, and other Components.

LED's:
LED's are Light Emitting Diodes (small lights) that can be programmed to turn on, off, or change colors.

XBee:
An XBee is a wireless transmitter specifically designed to work with Arduinos and is used to  transmit data between Arduinos.

Infrared Sensors:
Infrared sensors are sensors that detect presence (of object or human) by emitting an infrared light beam (invisible to the human eye).

Servos
Servos are small motors that can be programmed to work with an Arduino and have a radius of up to 360 degrees.

Solder Wire:
Solder wire is an easy to melt metal wire used when working with a Soldering Gun to bind wires/connections together.

Wire Cutters:
Wire cutters are specially used "scissors" when working with wire and allow easy separation/cutting of wire.

Soldering Gun:
A soldering gun is used to bind wire and connections for electronics by using a heated tip to melt a solder wire which binds  the connections together.

Wire:
Standard wire is used to complete a circuit in an existing connection or to create a new connection when "wiring" electronic Components together.

All of these Components  can be purchased at SparkFun Electronics.

For help purchasing Components, please feel free to contact me.

Ready to move on? Watch Art:duino Part 2 to learn more about the arduino (The Heart of Phobia)