Curran – [OLD FALL 2018] 15-104 • Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice

Curran Zhang / Jonathon Liang – Final Project

PRESS ENTER
sketch

/* Name : Jonathon Liang / Curran Zhang
   AndrewID : Jliang2 / Curranz
   Section : Section A 
   Final Project
*/

var terrainSpeed1 = 0.0002;
var terrainDetail1 = 0.015;
var terrainSpeed2 = 0.0004;
var terrainDetail2 = 0.008;
var clouds = []; 
var star = [];
var frames = []; 
var HeadX = 260;
var HeadY = 325; 
var ReflectionY =385
var step= 6;
var machox = 480;
var machoy = 300;
var girlx = 480;
var girly = 340;
var nekx = 480;
var neky = 240;
var towelx = 480;
var towely = 200;
var birdiex = 480;
var birdiey = 300;

function setup() {
  createCanvas(480, 480);
  //Iniate Clouds
  for (var i = 0; i <5; i++) {
      var r = random(width);
      clouds[i] = makeClouds(r);
  }
  //Head Image Position 
    imageMode(CENTER);
    frameRate(15);
}
function preload(){
 //Cats
	cat1 = loadImage("https://i.imgur.com/7hCkrYr.png");
	cat2 = loadImage("https://i.imgur.com/TWXWeM0.png");
	cat3 = loadImage("https://i.imgur.com/kRxHYt0.png");
	cat4 = loadImage("https://i.imgur.com/kkpAzvD.png");
	cat5 = loadImage("https://i.imgur.com/Hf9rTYl.png");
	birdie = loadImage("https://i.imgur.com/RdcS35J.png");

 //Head
    var filenames = [];
    filenames[0] = "https://i.imgur.com/leN6UXu.png";
	filenames[1] = "https://i.imgur.com/dydccNf.png";
	filenames[2] = "https://i.imgur.com/dcoiGqR.png";
	filenames[3] = "https://i.imgur.com/wez5P2S.png";
	filenames[4] = "https://i.imgur.com/9etlno8.png";
	filenames[5] = "https://i.imgur.com/yrjv4XT.png";
	filenames[6] = "https://i.imgur.com/hW3gKH6.png";
	filenames[7] = "https://i.imgur.com/Jg0yJck.png";
	filenames[8] = "https://i.imgur.com/dU1rruI.png";
    for (var i = 0; i < filenames.length; i++) {
        frames.push(loadImage(filenames[i]));
    }  
}

function draw() {
  //Gradient Background
    var from = color(250,0,0);
    var to = color(270);
    gradient(0,width,from,to);
    rect(0,0,480,480);
	  makeMountain1();
	  makeMoon();
	  makeStar();
	  makeMountain1();
	  makeMountain2();
	  makeReflection();
	  updateClouds();
	  removeClouds();
	  addClouds();
	strokeWeight(.5);
	stroke(255);
	text("early head gets the bird", 10, 15);
	text("touch a cat, you'll be sad", 10, 30);
	text("fly too high, and you'll die", 10, 45);
	  makeHead();
	  makeCat();
}

function gradient(y,w,from,to){
  for (var i = y; i <= height; i++) {
    var inter = map(i,y,y+w,0,1);
    var col = lerpColor(from,to,inter);
    stroke(col);
    strokeWeight(2);
    line(y,i,y+w,i);
  }
}

function makeStar(){
    fill(270);
    for (var i = 0; i < 100; i++) {
      var starX = random(width);
      var starY = random(height);
      ellipse(starX,starY,1,1);
    }
}

function makeMountain1(){
  noStroke();
  fill(180,0,0); 
  beginShape(); 
  for (var x = 0; x < width; x++) {
    var t = (x * terrainDetail1) + (millis() * terrainSpeed1);
    var y = map(noise(t), 0,1.8, height/8, height);
    vertex(x, y); 
  }
  vertex(width,height);
  vertex(0,height);
  endShape();
}

function makeMountain2(){
  fill(139,0,0); 
    noStroke();
    beginShape(); 
      for (var x = 0; x < width; x++) {
            var t = (x * terrainDetail2) + (millis() * terrainSpeed2);
            var y = map(noise(t), 0,2, height/2, height);
            vertex(x, y); 
      }
      vertex(width,height);
      vertex(0,height);
    endShape();
}

function makeReflection(){
  fill(220,50,50);
    rect(0, 375, width, 105);

  fill(255,60,60); 
    noStroke();
    beginShape(); 
      for (var x = 0; x < width; x++) {
            var t = (x * terrainDetail2) + (millis() * terrainSpeed2);
            var y = map(noise(t), 0,2, height, height*.5);
            vertex(x, y); 
      }
      vertex(width,height);
      vertex(0,height);
    endShape();
}

function makeMoon(){
    noStroke();
    fill(255,20);
    ellipse(2*width/3,height/4,170,170);
    ellipse(2*width/3,height/4,160,160);
    ellipse(2*width/3,height/4,150,150);
    ellipse(2*width/3,height/4,140,140);
    fill(255,200);
    ellipse(2*width/3,height/4,120,120);
}
function updateClouds(){
  for (var i = 0; i < clouds.length; i++) {
    clouds[i].move();
    clouds[i].display();
  }
}

function removeClouds(){
  var keepClouds = [];
  for (var i = 0; i < clouds.length; i++) {
      if (clouds[i].x + clouds[i].breadth > 0) {
        keepClouds.push(clouds[i]);
      }
  }
  clouds= keepClouds;
}

function addClouds(){
  var newCloud = .007;
  if (random(0,1)<newCloud) {
     clouds.push(makeClouds(width))
  }
}

function cloudMove(){
  this.x += this.speed;
}

function displayClouds(){
  fill(255,50);
  noStroke();
  ellipse(this.x,this.y,this.width,this.height);
  ellipse(this.x +10,this.y +10,this.width-10,this.height-10);
  ellipse(this.x +20,this.y -10,this.width/2,this.height/2);
  ellipse(this.x -20,this.y ,this.width-20,this.height-10);
}

function makeClouds(cloudy){
  var cloud= {x: cloudy,
              y:random(100, height/2),
              speed: random(-.2,-.7),
              width: random(50,100), 
              height:random(20,0),
              breadth:50,
              move:cloudMove,
              display:displayClouds
            }
  return cloud;          
}

function makeHead(){
  //Main Head
    push();
      translate(HeadX,HeadY);
      scale(.2,.2);
      image(frames[frameCount % 8], 0, 0);
    pop();    
  //Reflection
    push();
      translate(HeadX,ReflectionY);
      scale(.2,-.2);
      tint(255,127);
      image(frames[frameCount % 8], 0, 0);
    pop(); 
	if (keyIsDown(ENTER)){
	        HeadY -= step; 
	        ReflectionY += step;
	} else { HeadY += step;
	         HeadY = min(HeadY, 350);
	         ReflectionY -= step;
	         ReflectionY = max(ReflectionY,405);
	        }
	if (HeadY <= 100) {gameOver()};
}

function makeCat(){
	//MachoCat
		push();
			translate(machox,machoy);
			scale(.2,.2);
			image(cat1, 0,0);
			machox-=1.25;
			if (machox < 0) {lmachox = 480};
		pop();
		if (HeadX + 30 > machox & HeadX-30 < machox && machoy > HeadY  && HeadY > machoy - 30) {
			gameOver()};
	//MachoCat Reflection
		push();
			translate(machox,419);
			scale(.2,-.2);
			tint(265,160);
			image(cat1, 0,0);
			machox-=1.25;
			if (machox < 0) {machox = 480};
		pop();
	//School Girl
		push();
			translate(girlx,girly);
			scale(.18,.18);
			image(cat3, 0,0);
			girlx-=.8;
			if (girlx < 0) {girlx = 480};
		pop();
		if (HeadX + 30 > girlx & HeadX-30 < girlx && girly > HeadY  && HeadY > girly - 30) {
			gameOver();}
	//School Girl Reflection
		push();
			translate(girlx,409);
			scale(.18,-.18);
			tint(265,160);
			image(cat3, 0,0);
			girlx-=.8;
			if (girlx < 0) {girlx = 480};
		pop();
	//Neka
		push();
			translate(nekx,neky);
			scale(.6,.6);
			image(cat4, 0,0);
			nekx-=.5;
			if (nekx < 0) {nekx= 480};
		pop();
			if (HeadX + 30 > nekx & HeadX-30 < nekx && neky + 40 > HeadY  && HeadY > neky - 10) {
				gameOver()};
	//Neka Reflection
		push();
			translate(nekx,509);
			scale(.6,-.6);
			tint(265,160);
			image(cat4, 0,0);
			nekx-=.5;
			if (nekx < 0) {nekx = 480};
		pop();
	//Towel
		push();
			translate(towelx,towely);
			scale(.15,.15);
			image(cat5, 0,0);
			towelx-=5.05;
			if (towelx < 0) {towelx = 480};
		pop();
			if (HeadX + 30 > towelx & HeadX-30 < towelx && towely > HeadY  && HeadY > towely - 30) {
				gameOver()};
	//Birdie 
		push();
			translate(birdiex,birdiey);
			scale(-.15,.15);
			image(birdie, 0,0);
			birdiex-=5.05;
			if (birdiex < 0) {birdiex = 480};
			if (birdiey+30 > HeadY & HeadY> birdiey-30 && HeadX+30 > birdiex && HeadX-30 < birdiex)  {
				birdiex=480};
		pop();
}

function gameOver() {
	fill(0);
	textSize(75);
	textAlign(CENTER);
	textStyle(BOLD);
	text("GAME OVER", 240, 240);
	noLoop();
}

For the final project, me and Jonathon decided to base our project off of the game Battle Cat. Our original idea was to do a health system for the floating head and have the cats slowly chip off the health. However, that was not doable within our available time. Therefore, we toned down and the goal of the game is to bypass the white cats and try to collect the red bird as much as possible. Flying to high into the sky would also be an instant game over. Over the course of this project, we tried to incorporate as much as we can into it. Ranging from images, array, moving terrain, and objects.

Curran Zhang – Project 12- Proposal

As an architecture student, I wanted to do something that involves architecture information. As an architecture student, we usually try to find precedent studies based off of a certain idea. With a collection of different ideas of architecture like green features, atrium, cubic forms, and landscape design, students can click to see further information. With each collection, I plan to have an animation that can draw out an iconic building that represents that idea. this would require an archive that has different design ideas and show some sort of information that can help architecture students like myself. The picture below shows diagrammatic representations of buildings drawn by Fedrico Babina. Each drawing is a different representation of works done by other artist like Andy Warhol and Mark Rothko. I want to do something similar but combining iconic building, animation, and information together.

Art meets architecture in Federico Babinas Archist Series — Work by Fedrico Babina

Curran Zhang – Looking Outwards -12

For this looking outwards, I was more interested in interactive art works that uses the human and computational design to create something new. Projects that I was interested in was the Digital Type Wall by SEA Design (2012) and Vanishing Points by Rafael Lozano- Hemmer(2018). Digital Type is an animation sequence that changes the array of letters into different font types. Out of 6000 possible combinations, one is chosen at random. This allows visitors to observe the changes and various types of “language” created by the same letters. Vanishing Points is an interactive art piece that changes the vanishing point of the drawing based on the location of the closest viewer. These projects gear me towards something that is more of an artistic game or interactive program that allows the user to create amazing drawings.

http://www.lozano-hemmer.com/vanishing_points.php

http://marcinignac.com/projects/digital-type-wall/

Curran Zhang- Project-11- Composition

sketch

/*Curran Zhang
curranz
Project 11
Section A
*/

var ttl = [];


function setup(){
  createCanvas(480,480);
  background(10);
  frameRate(20);
}

function draw(){
  var x = random(5,15);
  var xx = random(10,20);
  background(0,10);
  for (var i = 0; i <ttl.length; i++) {
    ttl[i].setColor(random(150,200));
    ttl[i].setWeight(10);
    ttl[i].penDown();
    ttl[i].right (x);
    ttl[i].forward(xx);
  }
}

function mouseDragged(){
  ttl.push(makeTurtle(mouseX,mouseY));
}

///////////////////
function turtleLeft(d) {
    this.angle -= d;
}
 
 
function turtleRight(d) {
    this.angle += d;
}
 
 
function turtleForward(p) {
    var rad = radians(this.angle);
    var newx = this.x + cos(rad) * p;
    var newy = this.y + sin(rad) * p;
    this.goto(newx, newy);
}
 
 
function turtleBack(p) {
    this.forward(-p);
}
 
 
function turtlePenDown() {
    this.penIsDown = true;
}
 
 
function turtlePenUp() {
    this.penIsDown = false;
}
 
 
function turtleGoTo(x, y) {
    if (this.penIsDown) {
      stroke(this.color);
      strokeWeight(this.weight);
      line(this.x, this.y, x, y);
    }
    this.x = x;
    this.y = y;
}
 
 
function turtleDistTo(x, y) {
    return sqrt(sq(this.x - x) + sq(this.y - y));
}
 
 
function turtleAngleTo(x, y) {
    var absAngle = degrees(atan2(y - this.y, x - this.x));
    var angle = ((absAngle - this.angle) + 360) % 360.0;
    return angle;
}
 
 
function turtleTurnToward(x, y, d) {
    var angle = this.angleTo(x, y);
    if (angle < 180) {
        this.angle += d;
    } else {
        this.angle -= d;
    }
}
 
 
function turtleSetColor(c) {
    this.color = c;
}
 
 
function turtleSetWeight(w) {
    this.weight = w;
}
 
 
function turtleFace(angle) {
    this.angle = angle;
}
 
 
function makeTurtle(tx, ty) {
    var turtle = {x: tx, y: ty,
                  angle: 0.0, 
                  penIsDown: true,
                  color: color(128),
                  weight: 1,
                  left: turtleLeft, right: turtleRight,
                  forward: turtleForward, back: turtleBack,
                  penDown: turtlePenDown, penUp: turtlePenUp,
                  goto: turtleGoTo, angleto: turtleAngleTo,
                  turnToward: turtleTurnToward,
                  distanceTo: turtleDistTo, angleTo: turtleAngleTo,
                  setColor: turtleSetColor, setWeight: turtleSetWeight,
                  face: turtleFace};
    return turtle;
}

For this project, I wanted to use the simplicity of turtle graphics to create an animation that is chaotic. Beginning with a circle, I began to create and animate its motion along the mouse.

Curran Zhang- Looking Outwards 11

For this week’s post, I decided to investigate the work of Andrius Sarapovas. By converting, phone data into a numerical data set, music can be produced with the room-sized kinetic sculpture. Different segments that compose of metal bar, sound activator, sound damper, resonator, and mechatronics are placed on a surface or hung from the ceiling. With access to Tele2’s 4G network, various algorithms are used to generate music that covers 16 notes: C, D, F, and G along four octaves. As visitors of the art piece walk around the room, different harmonics are composed at different times and locations. In order to create an algorithm for the music to play, extremes of the 4G data of one second is used to create one second of music. Numbers derived from the extremes help determine the rhythm and volume.

Installation that is hung on the wall and from the ceiling

The work done by Sarapovas is to help bridge the two aspects of chaos and structure. Like the ideas of smart devices, his installation must be “smart” and be ever growing and changing with the flow of the internet. This way of expression is very interesting as it helps bring two ideas together and mesh it into a coherent art that can be absorbed by its visitors.

Visitors of all age express interest in the piece of art

https://creators.vice.com/en_us/article/7x9m3a/massive-robotic-instrument-smartphone-data-sounds

Curran Zhang-Project 10- Landscape

sketch

/*Curran Zhang
curranz
Project 10
Section A
*/

var terrainSpeed1 = 0.0002;
var terrainDetail1 = 0.015;
var terrainSpeed2 = 0.0004;
var terrainDetail2 = 0.008;
var clouds = []; 
var star = [];
var frames = []; 
var characterX;  
var characterY;  

function setup() {
  createCanvas(480, 480);
  //Iniate Clouds
  for (var i = 0; i <5; i++) {
      var r = random(width);
      clouds[i] = makeClouds(r);
  }
  //Human Image Position 
    imageMode(CENTER);
    frameRate(15);
}

function preload(){
    var filenames = [];
      filenames[0] = "http://i.imgur.com/svA3cqA.png";
      filenames[1] = "http://i.imgur.com/jV3FsVQ.png";
      filenames[2] = "http://i.imgur.com/IgQDmRK.png";
      filenames[3] = "http://i.imgur.com/kmVGuo9.png";
      filenames[4] = "http://i.imgur.com/jcMNeGq.png";
      filenames[5] = "http://i.imgur.com/ttJGwkt.png";
      filenames[6] = "http://i.imgur.com/9tL5TRr.png";
      filenames[7] = "http://i.imgur.com/IYn7mIB.png";
    for (var i = 0; i < filenames.length; i++) {
        frames.push(loadImage(filenames[i]));
    }  
}

function draw() {
  //Gradient Background
    var from = color('red');
    var to = color(270);
    gradient(0,width,from,to);

  makeMountain1();
  makeMoon();
  makeStar();
  makeMountain1();
  makeMountain2();
  makeReflection();
  updateClouds();
  removeClouds();
  addClouds();
  makeHuman();
}

function gradient(y,w,from,to){
  for (var i = y; i <= height; i++) {
    var inter = map(i,y,y+w,0,1);
    var col = lerpColor(from,to,inter);
    stroke(col);
    strokeWeight(2);
    line(y,i,y+w,i);
  }
}

function makeStar(){
    fill(270);
    for (var i = 0; i < 100; i++) {
      var starX = random(width);
      var starY = random(height);
      ellipse(starX,starY,1,1);
    }
}

function makeMountain1(){
  noStroke();
  fill(180,0,0); 
  beginShape(); 
  for (var x = 0; x < width; x++) {
    var t = (x * terrainDetail1) + (millis() * terrainSpeed1);
    var y = map(noise(t), 0,1.8, height/8, height);
    vertex(x, y); 
  }
  vertex(width,height);
  vertex(0,height);
  endShape();
}

function makeMountain2(){
  fill(139,0,0); 
    noStroke();
    beginShape(); 
      for (var x = 0; x < width; x++) {
            var t = (x * terrainDetail2) + (millis() * terrainSpeed2);
            var y = map(noise(t), 0,2, height/2, height);
            vertex(x, y); 
      }
      vertex(width,height);
      vertex(0,height);
    endShape();
}

function makeReflection(){
  fill(220,50,50);
    rect(0, 375, width, 105);

  fill(255,60,60); 
    noStroke();
    beginShape(); 
      for (var x = 0; x < width; x++) {
            var t = (x * terrainDetail2) + (millis() * terrainSpeed2);
            var y = map(noise(t), 0,2, height, height*.5);
            vertex(x, y); 
      }
      vertex(width,height);
      vertex(0,height);
    endShape();
}

function makeMoon(){
    noStroke();
    fill(255,20);
    ellipse(2*width/3,height/4,170,170);
    ellipse(2*width/3,height/4,160,160);
    ellipse(2*width/3,height/4,150,150);
    ellipse(2*width/3,height/4,140,140);
    fill(255,200);
    ellipse(2*width/3,height/4,120,120);
}

function updateClouds(){
  for (var i = 0; i < clouds.length; i++) {
    clouds[i].move();
    clouds[i].display();
  }
}

function removeClouds(){
  var keepClouds = [];
  for (var i = 0; i < clouds.length; i++) {
      if (clouds[i].x + clouds[i].breadth > 0) {
        keepClouds.push(clouds[i]);
      }
  }
  clouds= keepClouds;
}

function addClouds(){
  var newCloud = .007;
  if (random(0,1)<newCloud) {
    clouds.push(makeClouds(width))
  }
}

function cloudMove(){
  this.x += this.speed;
}

function displayClouds(){
  fill(255,50);
  noStroke();
  ellipse(this.x,this.y,this.width,this.height);
  ellipse(this.x +10,this.y +10,this.width-10,this.height-10);
  ellipse(this.x +20,this.y -10,this.width/2,this.height/2);
  ellipse(this.x -20,this.y ,this.width-20,this.height-10);
}

function makeClouds(cloudy){
  var cloud= {x: cloudy,
              y:random(100, height/2),
              speed: random(-.2,-.7),
              width: random(50,100), 
              height:random(20,0),
              breadth:50,
              move:cloudMove,
              display:displayClouds
            }
  return cloud;          
}

function makeHuman(){
  //Human 1
    push();
      translate(width/2+20,365);
      scale(.2,.2);
      image(frames[frameCount % 8], 0, 0);
    pop();    

    push();
      translate(width/2+20,385);
      scale(.2,-.2);
      tint(255,127);
      image(frames[frameCount % 8], 0, 0);
    pop(); 

  //Human 2
    push();
      translate(width/2,367);
      scale(.15,.15);
      image(frames[frameCount % 8], 0, 0);
    pop();    

    push();
      translate(width/2,382);
      scale(.15,-.15);
      tint(255,127);
      image(frames[frameCount % 8], 0, 0);
    pop(); 

  //Human 3 
    push();
      translate(width/2-20,370);
      scale(.1,.1);
      image(frames[frameCount % 8], 0, 0);
    pop();    

    push();
      translate(width/2-20,379);
      scale(.1,-.1);
      tint(255,127);
      image(frames[frameCount % 8], 0, 0);
    pop(); 
}

Whenever I go around exploring and taking pictures, I really like to find reflections produced by waters. Therefore, I decided to do a project where water can be used to make the colors more vibrant. Creating mountains creates a very peaceful and relaxing scene, which is something I desperately want.

Curran Zhang- Looking Outwards- 10

A female practitioner that caught my attention is the architect, Meejin Yoon. One project that i found very interesting is a design competition entry, the +(plus) Bridge. The project was designed with the efforts of Eric Howeler and J. Meejin Yoon to help promote the vibrant lifestyle on the river in Boston. By connecting different modes of transportation, the structure was to increase activity for harbor viewing and waterway crossing. People are given the chance to go abroad on an infrastructure that extends out into the river. With green features and various sitting areas, more public spaces are encouraging people to come out.

The reason this project got my attention is because our architecture studio semester project is about reviving a site within the Allegheny river. This project sparks various ideas that would help be draw people onto a site that is quite secluded. Mashing up green properties and various properties to increase human activity is a great idea to revitalize my site.

http://www.howeleryoon.com/projects/plus-bridge

Curran Zhang- Project 09- Portrait

sketch

/*Curran Zhang
 curranz
 Project 9
 Section A
 */

var Ball = [];
var img = ['https://i.imgur.com/6PlJkcb.jpg',
           'https://i.imgur.com/MIU3YvB.jpg']
                     
var dir;
var picIndex = 1;
var currentIndex = 0;

function preload(){
  pic = loadImage(img[picIndex]);
}

function setup(){
  createCanvas(480,480);
  pic.loadPixels();
  background(50);
  dir = random(5,10);
}

function properties(px,py,pdy){
  b = { x: px,
        y: py,
        dy: pdy,
        speed: ballSpeed,
        ball: ballMake,
        bSize: random(3,6)
      }
  return b; 
}

function ballMake(){
  var xx = constrain(floor(this.x),0,width-1);
  var yy = constrain(floor(this.y),0,height-1);
  var pix = pic.get(this.x, this.y);

  fill(pix)
  stroke(0);
  strokeWeight(0.1);
  ellipse(this.x, this.y, this.bSize, this.bSize);
}

function ballSpeed(){
  this.y += this.dy * random(.1,.3);
}

function draw(){
  //Creating an array of all the individual balls
  newBall =[];
  for (var i = 0; i <Ball.length; i++) {
    var b = Ball[i];
    b.speed();
    b.ball();
    newBall.push(b);
  }
  Ball = newBall;

 //Applying all the drawn properties onto the canvas
  var bb = properties(random(width), 0, dir);
  Ball.push(bb);
}

/*
//Failed attempt to shuffle through the array to switch the image
function mouseClicked(){
picIndex = int(random(0,1))
        while (currentIndex == picIndex){
         picIndex = int(random(0,1))
        }
        currentIndex = bodyIndex;
}
*/

For this project, I used pictures from my friend Kelly. I tried to create a snow falling effect of the individual pixels. I tried to place the pictures into an array which would eventually shuffle through with mouseClicked(), however it would just freeze up. Even though it didn’t work, I am satisfied with the glittery effect that it produces.

Curran Zhang- Looking Outwards- 9

For this week’s Looking Outwards, I found an interesting art piece founded by Shirley Chen. Created by Refik Anadol Studio, the project is called “Melted Memories”.

The main concept of the art piece was to use cognitive controls to create an artwork from our memories. By collecting brain waves and extracting the data, abstract and organic pieces of art are created. This method allows people to have a physical representation of something that is intangible. The memory used to create the art piece was to be a piece of memory from childhood. This would allow different users to have a specific piece of art that is distinct.

Depiction of One Memory From an Individual

I agree with Shirley that this art piece is an amazing piece to help illustrate something that is non-tangible. By doing so, the usage of different computational methods can help enhance this field of art expression.

Melting Memories – Drawing neural mechanisms of cognitive control

Curran Zhang- Looking Outwards- 8

Reza Ali is a man who identifies himself as an explorer, designer, engineer, and researcher who pushes the limit of computational designs to achieve a new level of workflow. Beginning his career as an electrical and mechanical engineer, he began to branch outwards towards art and digital designs. His main workflow varies, but his core ideology is being able to switch between different mediums to produce the best product. One example he talks about is his project, Voronoi Puzzles. Within this project, it was important for him to start with codes and computational design, which would lead to him 3D printing. With 3D printing, he would begin working through a physical workflow, which would once again be put into a digital workflow. By learning new programs, he could easily turn his digital works into reality with his extensive works with 3D printers and CNC routers.

As architecture students in CMU, we have access to a wide range of digital fabrication machines to help bring our ideas to life. By transcending different workflows, he was able to improve his design constantly and improve his skill sets quality and quantity wise. Reza’s way of working is a complex yet very effective way of designing. Not only are just designers, but also an engineer that uses different codes and programs to help achieve our best design.

http://www.syedrezaali.com/