2023 Tokyo University of the Arts Art media Center「Code and Design」（Spring-Summer　Friday 4・5）

2023 Tokyo University of the Arts Art media Center「Code and Design」 #

（Spring-Summer　Friday 4・5）

Lecturer: Matsuura Tomoya

Room: Art Media Center(Factory Complex A 2F) Classroom 1,2

Class Summary #

In this class, students will learn basic knowledge for creating and designing artworks that use computers independently, with practical application. In particular, students will learn how to handle hardware and interfaces such as LEDs and switches through electronic construction and programming.

The first half of the class aims to understand the components of a computer, such as algorithms, protocols, and logic, through workshops and simple electronics work without using a computer.

In the second half of the course, students will use Arduino, an environment that easily connects electronics and programming, and digital fabrication equipment such as laser cutters and 3D printers to understand more practical interaction and control methods, and to be able to incorporate them into their own creations. The course is designed to enable students to understand and incorporate more practical interaction and control methods into their own production.

*Due to the equipment in AMC, the number of students will be limited to a maximum of 20. The number of students may be further limited depending on the infection situation.

Purpose and Goal of the Class #

The goal of this class is for students to be able to use computers not as a black box but as a tool for production through electronic fabrication and programming.

In addition, by learning how to convert data and materials into each other through the operation of digital fabrication equipment, students will gain a deep understanding of the structure of data and information that underlies production.

Class Schedule #

(This is the first year of the class thus the content may change according to the progress.)

  1. (4/12) Introduction Non-electrical Computing/Conditional Design
  2. (4/19) Introduction to Electronics De-instrumentation (Victorian Oscillator)
  3. (4/26) Paper Circuit and Logic Circuit
  4. (5/10) Binary Card Game
  5. (5/17) Handmade Computer (Total Adder Made by Everyone)
  6. (5/24) Software and Algorithms - Using Arduino
  7. (5/31) Akihabara Tour
  8. (6/7) Thinking about Input (making an absurd mouse)
  9. (6/14) Thinking about Input 2 - Connecting Processing and Arduino, Object Oriented Programming (PONG for one person)
  10. (6/21) Thinking on Output - Audio Programming with Arduino
  11. (6/28) Studio Work Consultation 1
  12. (7/5) Digital Fabrication: Handcrafting an Interface
  13. (7/12) Studio Work Consultation 2
  14. (7/19) Installation for an exhibition of the Assignment Presentations
  15. (7/25) Removal of the Exhibition, Review of Presentations

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Reference Books #

  • “Code as Creative Medium A Handbook for Computational Art and Design”, (2021) by Golan Levin and Tega Brain, MIT Press.
  • “Handmade Electronic Music - The Art of Hardware Hacking, 3rd Edition” (2020) by Nicolas Collins, Routledge.
  • “Getting Started with Arduino, 3rd Edition” (2014), by Massimo Banzi and Michael Shiloh, Make: Community
  • “Making Things Move”(2011), by Dustyn Roberts ,O’Reilly Verlag

// translated books into Japanese.

  • 「Code as Creative Medium 創造的なプログラミング教育のための実践ガイドブック」(2022) ゴラン・レヴィン 、 テガ・ブレイン著 澤村正樹 、 杉本達應 、 米田研一　訳、BNN
  • 「Arduinoをはじめよう 第4版」(2015) Massimo Banzi、Michael Shiloh　著、船田 巧　訳、オライリー
  • 「Handmade Electronic Music ―手作り電子回路から生まれる音と音楽 (Make: PROJECTS) 」(2013)Nicolas Collins 著、 久保田 晃弘 監訳、 船田 巧 訳、オライリー
  • 「Making Things Move ―動くモノを作るためのメカニズムと材料の基本 (Make: PROJECTS) 」（2012）Dustyn Roberts 著、 岩崎 修 監修、 金井 哲夫 訳、オライリー

Required Preparation for the Class #

At the end of each lecture, the contents of the preparation for the next lecture will be presented. The materials for each lecture will be posted on the website so that students can review them on their own as necessary.

Grading #

Grades will be graded as follows: 30% for attendance, 30% for small assignments presented several times during the class, and 40% for assignments.

Attendance points will be counted by submitting your comments and questions on the Google Form at the end of each class.

For the short assignment, you will submit the work you have done in class as it is in data format or as a document including photos, videos, etc. in physical format via Google Classroom.

The final assignment will be one of the following, which must be submitted by the end of the 14th class session by installing the exhibit in the AMC Lab.

  • A brushed-up version of the small assignment created in class
  • A free work (a work that reflects the knowledge gained in the class on your own work)

Both individual and group work is acceptable for the assignment.

The grade for the final assignment will be based on what the student intended to produce rather than on the degree of completion.

Unsubmitted work will receive 0 points, and work submitted after the due date will receive a reduction in points.

Messeges for the Participants #

The class will be basically done in Japanese. However, the teacher can help and answer to individual question in English. If you are worrying whether you should take the class or not, do not hesitate contact to the teacher to ask about it (teach[at]matsuuratomoya.com).

Today, whether creating video or music, it is no longer easy to complete a production without the use of a computer. However, the world of computers is not inherently closed to mice, keyboards, and displays. If we can handle various inputs and outputs such as light, motors, and switches through electronic construction, or if we can use digital fabrication equipment to convert data and materials into each other, we can play with various elements of the real world. Through these practices, you will be able to use technology proactively while increasing your range of expression.

Required prior knowledge and expected class participation #

No prior experience with electronics or programming is required. Those with experience are expected to actively support beginners.

In class, we will be handling equipment such as soldering irons and laser cutters, which can lead to serious problems such as injury or fire if used incorrectly. Please listen carefully to the instructions and concentrate on safety measures, including clothing and hair.

About the equipment #

Hardware #

Basically, AMC will provide materials and tools related to electronics.

However, since some tools such as soldering irons are not that high quality, you can bring your own if you have the better one.

In addition, for the final project, students should bring materials like paper, wood and electronic components, by their own in principle.

Software #

Basically, you will use the computer provided in the AMC lab, Mac mini (M1, Late 2020). The following software is likely to be used at this time.

You may bring your own laptop to work on. However, please be aware that we may not be able to immediately respond to differences in behavior or bugs that may occur due to non-macOS operating systems, different OS versions, or different hardware.

The computers in the lab will erase data when they are shut down, so please save your work data to a USB memory stick or similar device as appropriate.

Communication Tools #

All communication regarding class cancellations, reference materials, and assignment data will be conducted via Google Classroom. Please be sure to register by the second week before your course registration is confirmed.

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