SEMINAR IN DESIGNING PHYSICAL GAMES AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA INTRODUCTION


Introduction
What is physical media? Physical media brings the virtual out into the physical world and people into the datasphere.

Designers, artists and other creatives are pushing media beyond the limits of the standard human computer interface. With this in mind, one can think of physical media as extending from the virtual (data) into the material and vice-versa, offering opportunity for new levels of physical and social engagement. Simply put, getting content out into the world by utilizing more complex physical and social interfaces in novel environments or contexts. Physical media uses embedded electronics or microcontrollers (small computers) and sensors for interaction, multi-modal design and extended or augmented interfaces with a focus on interactive and social media. Physical media can use body or environmental based sensors in order to create, interact, participate, collaborate, perform, share and control content, as well as create meaningful experiences and exchanges. This work is finding more common practice in mainstream entertainment systems, systems for learning, physical therapies, amusement parks, museums, as well as health, fitness and the arts in general.

The seminar will proceed in a workshop/design studio format where you will be encouraged to work alone and to collaborate in groups in order to develop projects using sensors and microcontrollers. Challenges in creating physical media are finding the appropriate transducers/sensors and how to capture this information with the computer, game, installation or other media system. The challenge is that this must happen on top of the normal production timeline.

No previous knowledge of electronics or software/programming is required.

There will be no required text, however similar, reasonable costs will be required for technology, etc.