Interactive Sound
Brief:
For this brief we had to produce a physical installation based around sound working as part of a group. We were asked to consider the relationship between sound and space and then sound and person and then also how interactivity could be incorporated or experienced.
Proposal:
Our group decided that we would make a sound installation that would attempt to create a mood by using different animations and sounds. We wanted to be able to do this by using two switches on the floor that the user could use to change the sound and animation.
Idea:
Before we started designing the installation, we agreed that we wanted to create the best atmosphere for the user. For example in any of the scenes we would create, we only want the sound that would be in the scene and no other sounds so to make sure we could do this we decided we would use the sound recording studio so it would block any background noise such as traffic, people’s voices etc. After we agreed what our idea was and how we would do it, we then decided on the scenes we would have in the installation so we could record them. For the sleeping scene we needed a sleeping/ snoring sound and this was recorded in the studio and for the background music in this scene we used sound loops. For the scene where the character would be walking through snow, we was going to recreate the sound in the sound studio but because of the time of recording and it has snowed, we used a remote microphone to record someone walking in the snow. After we had thought about the scenes and the sounds we decided how the actual installation would start off. We decided our animation would start off with a character sleeping and that there would be some soft music playing so it goes with the animation and so it sets the mood to calm. This would be displayed on a computer screen and there would also be speakers plugged into the computer so we can hear the sound. When the user uses the trigger mats, they would be able change the animation and the music which will set a totally different mood. Below is quick sketch of how the installation will be set up.
The first animation that will be shown on the screen will look like this:
Once the user has seen this screen, they can then step on a mat to change the animation and the sound, such as the one below that shows the character walking through snow.
After this scene the user can step onto the other mat to display the last scene which is of the character dancing and the sound that relates to this scene is disco music.
What I did towards the group work:
My task for this project was to do the concept art. This is to create a visual representation of our ideas that we talked about. Below are the sketches that I produced for this task.
The sketch shows the first screen that will be displayed on the installation. It is off the character sleeping and there will be sleeping noises and also some calm music in the background.
This sketch is of the character walking in the snow and you can see his footprints of where he has already walked. The sound on this scene will be of the footprints in the snow. Although this isn’t a big task, it helped our group because when it came to create the character and scenes, we knew what they would look like so it saved time.
Evaluation:
I feel that our group project went well and we all did well to communicate to each other and decide what jobs everyone was going to be in charge of. When the group agreed I would be doing the concept art I was a bit worried because I am not very good at drawing but I wanted to have a go and I don’t think it was too bad. The installation that we made was interesting and the animation and the sounds worked well together to create different moods for the user to experience. I think it could have been improved if we had created more scenes for the user to view and if there was surround sound because then it would be a better and more realistic experience for the user.
Risk Assessment:
Our sound installation does not have many risks and the only one that I can think of and could be dangerous is the fact we are using a computer, screen and speakers and there might be wires on the floor but if we make sure they are covered up properly there will not be a problem.