Student Projects: Unravel The Code

I've been a technical advisor to the students in Unravel The Code, providing advice, guidance, and technical solutions. You can find each year's final projects under "Projects" at https://unrvl.net. The theme of the class is integrating newer technologies into art by making.

The first half of the semester is a series of hands-on workshops alternating between hand-crafts (like weaving and origami) and digital tools (like Rhino/Grasshopper and Arduino). The first workshop I presented was for the Arduino, in 2021.

The second half of the semester has the students develop a research-based question and an artifact to explore the question. The teaching team meets with the students to refine their question, and guide them in implementing the making. We expect the students to use technologies that they aren't familiar with, and so we expect to have to give them advice and help. I usually advise on mechanical solutions, tools, materials, digital tools, project management, micro-controller devices, micro-controller programming, and basic electronics. Most often, I collaborate with the other technical advisors, and instructors, to find solutions that the students can implement themselves.

The class culminates in a formal gallery show, with presentations by the students.

When helping with coding, I usually create a shared git repository on gitlab (previously on github).

Every student project brings something new, I always have to research some technique or material, and learn some new sensor or actuator. With the student, we try out possible solutions (conductive paint for capacitive touch?), and try to match the artist's vision with the technical feasibility (breathing motion?). Some students only need an initial piece of advice and work on their own, and other students need ongoing support. Working with the 4-5 other technical advisors in the class, and the 2 professors, is invaluable in finding solutions for the projects.

My role is to enable the student's vision, so I have to be careful about trying to elicit a concrete realization, suggest possibilities that are within reach, and not intrude on their idea. Each student has a different set of skills, since our class draws from many departments (social design, graphic design, sculpture, textiles, architecture, and more). As well, some are more practiced at communicating their goal, while others are more used to working it out as they go. It is a challenge to work with these different styles and backgrounds. But, this class is one of the most enjoyable things I do.