Homework – Day 1

Tiger Feng

Documentation

1. Reflect on different interactions with technologies that you have observed in your daily life. Pick a few of these and write down your own definition of interaction based on your observations.

Digital Technology
Under the context of digital technology and human-computer interactions, the term interaction can be defined as bi-directional input/output actions conducted between a digital medium (a “computer”) and a user. Consumer technology products such as smartphones, wearables, PCs, etc. make use of the video (display), audio (speakers and headphones), tactility (controllers, touch displays, keyboard/mouse), and motion (LeapMotion Controller, Microsoft Kinect) as mediums of the input/output.

Analog Technology
When it comes to analog technology, the term interaction covers a greater range in its definition – the mutual coexistence and relevant actions performed between objects and its users. This is due to the fact that analog technologies (such as traditional switches, gas stoves, record players etc.) are physically present in the same dimension and space as the user themselves, hence the interactions between them can be considered as “mutual-coexistence and relevant actions”

2. During the assembly of the circuits, we used many electronic components as inputs and outputs. Which of these components do you recognize in the circuit?

• Cell (Battery)
• Switch,
• LED
• Diode
• Buzzer/Tweeter
• Resistor
• Variable Resistor
• Transistor
• Relay

3. Watch the video: Zach Lieberman: Interactive Art and write your thoughts on interaction and the future of technology.

Zach Lieberman’s outlook on the future of technology and interactivity – and its influence on the Arts – is very much in line with my own beliefs on this matter. I believe that the growing capabilities and accessibilities of modern technologies can shift our perceptions on our lives and the world, being heavily infuenced by the increasing depth and variety in mediums of human-computer interaction, allowing it to be truely integrated into people’s lives –– “(Technology is to) help people take a breath.”

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Cover Image by Yicheng “Tiger” Feng