SoundBlocks

SoundBlocks

SoundBlocks is a tangible environment where young users connect blocks to describe network dataflow. The environment explores digital sound manipulation as a personal, meaningful and fun artistic endeavor, rather than as a venture into mathematical, electronic or networking relationships.

Lead by their own curiosity, children can design their own sounds by exploring SoundBlocks. In doing so, they will indirectly learn about networks, mathematics and hardware synthesizers and sequencers. The environment will shift the child’s focus from the product of creation to the process of creation.

SoundBlocks was part of my Master’s Thesis at MIT’s Media Laboratory. I built SoundBlocks collaborating with colleague Andrew McPherson.

Similar Posts

  • The Incubator

    The Incubator is an art piece which was initially installed as part of TechArtICT’s Dreamgrass installation at Exploration Place Fall 2022. Within the installation it was the machine where faceless children were created and indoctrinated. A Center TV displayed a teleprompter which offered encouragement for viewers to become participants, reading into a microphone placed at…

  • Touch #1

    In 2012 I created my first interactive touch wall: Touch #1. The work built on my experience creating the visuals for Still Life and was largely inspired by seeing autistic children experiencing pure joy while interacting in an immersive environment. Touch #1 received a great response and was later installed at Exploration Place and at…

  • Build Day

    As founding Director of WSU’s Center for Research in Arts, Technology, Education and Learning (CRATEL) I hosted Build Day every Friday. On Build Day, CRATEL was open to visitors, volunteers, or anybody who wanted to come by, chat, or build something.