Idea development

So last week we decided on and started developing what we think will be our final idea. Basically we're going to create some kind of sound interaction which involves drawing. We also made some basic prototypes using LDRs, cardboard and some mdf.

The cardboard box (on the right hand side of the picture) was our first prototype, it was basically a cover for our breadboard and other components which had a small acetate window which had 3 LDRs under it. As you coloured over the window with a black marker the LDRs would be covered and a sound would play. The problem was that when only on of the LDRs was covered there was still too much light getting through and therefore the sound was not playing.

This is our second prototype, its similar to the first except that each LDR has its own space so that light only gets to it from directly above. Therefore when you colour in each square with the black marker the sound starts to play. You can then cover more than one (and more sounds will play) or you an rub out the squares that you have already covered.

We were also interested in developing some kind of system to enable the user to 'draw a song' then remove the acetate sheet to 'save' the song. This would mean that if you wanted to play a song you had previously created you would just put that piece of acetate back on top of the LDRs.

Here's a short video of our second prototype in action, enjoy!