Physical Computing | Final Project

Physical Computing | Final Project

Guidelines #

Students should complete a final project, either individually or in a small group (max. 3 students), that explores electronics as a creative medium.

Some common topics that could be good starting points if you are still looking for something to do:

  • Tangible user interfaces
  • Wearable electronics
  • Custom music controllers/instruments
  • Synthesizers and sequencers
  • Kinetic sculptures
  • Simple robots
  • Interactive installations

Additional tips

It is ok to combine this project with the final project of the Computational Art and Design course.

Project Proposal (Deadline: Thursday, November 16) #

Create a project proposal for your final project. Think of this as a constantly evolving document where you take notes on your final project ideas. This deadline is for the first version of this.

  • Some short thoughts on what you would like to explore and work with conceptually and technically. What is it that you want to make? How does it look like? What does it do?
  • Some references (artworks/projects that are similar to what you would like to do)
  • Initial list of parts and components you think you will need

You will present your idea in class on Thursday (16/11/2023). This is a very uninformal presentation and mainly serves as a way for us to discuss your ideas together.

It is ok if your idea changes after this. I am expecting it to change or evolve as you learn more about the topic. You just need a starting point.
After this presentation, some of you might also decide to join forces. You can also mention if you are looking for someone to work with or if you just want to focus on working on your own thing.

Project Presentations (December 8, 14:00) #

  • Your project should be ready before 14:00 on December 8.
  • Present it either in the Mechatronics workshop just for the class or in the exhibition space (see below).
  • We first do presentation in Mechatronics starting at 14:00
  • Then we start with the other works in the exhibition. We start at 15:00 in LQ Lobby and then move to the Learning Centre gallery.

Opening 16:00 #

Join for some snacks at 16:00 to clebrate the end of the semester! Invite your friends as well!

Course Exhibition and Demo Day #

Note that this is voluntary. You do not have to present your work in the exhibition or at Demo Day. You can also just present the project during our last day on Friday, December 8

Exhibition Dates #

We have the spaces booked from November 30 to December 15. These spaces are going to be shared with the projects from this course and the Computational Art and Design course. Our official opening event will be on December 8, but it’s great if you can finish up setting up your work even earlier than that. The dates of our exhibition are a little bit fluid. The first week is more of a work-in-progress where some things might be ready, some things still a little bit under construction.

  • Setting up: November 30 to December 7
  • Opening: Friday, December 8, 16:00
  • Exhibition: December 8–15
  • Take down: Friday, December 15 at 15:00

Exhibition Spaces #

We have booked two spaces for exhibiting the work that we have been doing throghout the semester.

  • Väre, LQ Lobby
  • Learning Centre, Lobby

Let Matti know about any equipment or space requirements for your work!

Winter Demo Day 2023 #

You can also present or show your work during one day as well at the Aalto Media Lab Demo Day. Fill in the registration form.

Project Documentation (Deadline December 15) #

It is extremely important to document your work well. This is not useful just for this course but for your portfolio as well. Your course website should have a dedicated section(s)/page(s) for your final project.

Minimum documentation consists of:

  • A short description of your project and reflection on the things you learned (500-1000 words)
  • One photo of the finished work
  • One short video of the finished work. Please send this separatewly to Matti, check your email for instructions on how to submit it. The repository cannot handle large files.

Recommended documentation also would include one or more of the following:

  • A more detailed report on the process of creating your work.
  • More photos, sketches, high-quality video, process videos.
  • A guide/tutorial on how to build your project from the technical side.

No separate assignment submission to MyCourses, just use the website that you have been using for the course. Except for the video file, send that separately.

Video (for 2024 class) #

These instructions are here for the class in 2024.

Please follow these specifications:

  • Horizontal video in 16:9 aspect ratio (No vertical videos).
  • Resolution: 1920x1080 or 3840x2160
  • .mp4 with H264 compression
  • 30fps (or 60fps if it is really needed for your project)
  • Download and install HandBrake
  • Open your video file
  • Choose the following preset: Web –> Creator1080p60 (for 1920x1080 resolution)
  • Go to the Video tab and chnage the frame rate to 30fps