History 9832B: Interactive Exhibit Design (Winter 2014)

History 9832B is a studio course on interactive exhibit design, intended primarily for public historians and digital humanists. Students will learn how to create interactive exhibits through a series of hands-on projects that teach the basics of interaction design, physical computing, and desktop fabrication. No prior experience is necessary, but History 9808A: Digital History or History 9877A: Digital Research Methods might be useful if you don’t have much experience with computers. Preference will be given to students in the public history MA program, but other graduate students may take it with my permission. Contact me at wturkel@uwo.ca for more information.

Students

Schedule

08 Jan. Making Things
15 Jan. Programming in Max 6, continued
22 Jan. MaKey MaKey and Makedo
29 Jan. Interacting with Multimedia in Max 6
05 Feb. Phidgets
12 Feb. Sensor Workshop
19 Feb. READING WEEK
26 Feb. Project Consultations
05 Mar. Work on Projects
12 Mar. NO CLASS SCHEDULED. Work on Projects
19 Mar.
26 Mar.
02 Apr. Project Demonstrations

Required Software

Students may want to purchase a license for Cycling 74’s Max 6 + Gen software. A 12-month license costs US $80. This software is installed on some of the machines in the classroom so you don’t have to purchase it right away, but you may eventually want a copy for your own project. For this course you really only need the 12-month license, but a permanent license is also available for US $300 if you would like to continue to program in Max in the future. The software is available for both Windows and Mac computers.

Evaluation

In this course you will be graded on your documentation of the design process (25%), the project(s) that you develop (40%), your presentation of the project(s) in multiple media (25%), and reflective blogging (10%). Your final grade will reflect how much you’ve learned or accomplished in this course, rather than any overall level of technical attainment.

You will notice that there are not any formal assignments for the course. I expect you to document your design process regularly on your blog and in other media.

Workspaces

We have three spaces where you will be able to work on your projects. The digital classroom Lawson Hall 2270C, where the course meets, has a number of iMacs with Max 6 and Gen installed and an overhead LCD projector. At the beginning of most classes, I will use the room to give brief demonstrations before students begin working on their own projects. The digital lab Lawson Hall 2270B has more computers, printers, scanners, a computer-controlled paper cutter, a vinyl sign cutter, cameras and recorders, and Wacom Cintiq pen displays. LH 2270B and 2270C are appropriate for digital work; photography, videography and audio production; light construction tasks such as sewing, or working with paper, plastic, foamcore or cardboard; and for solderless electronics. You can also contact me to borrow cameras, tripods, lighting kits, digital audio recorders, a green screen, real-time 3D scanners (Kinect and Xtion) and other equipment that is usually locked up.

I also have a very small laboratory space on the ground floor of the Social Science Centre. The lab has facilities for 3D printing, 3D scanning, light CNC milling, very light woodwork, laser cutting, moldmaking and casting, soldering, and advanced electronics (there is an oscilloscope, circuit design lab and very large supply of active and passive components). Unfortunately this is a temporary space since we are in the process of moving, so most of the equipment is not set up. Talk to me if you are interested in doing something in the lab, and we will try to figure something out.

Winter 2013 Projects

Read about some of the projects: