FLASH MACHINES

I was assigned the rigorous task of creating multiple simulated machines in programming. The completing of this task from week to week proved to be useful to my knowledge of programming. I also gained a new understanding of the characteristics of systems. Beyond this, I further experienced the value of using constraints as an opportunities.

ASSIGNMENT: Design a poster for the 2008 Design Dialogue Series. Conceptually represent what the series meant to you.
ASSIGNMENT: 1) With a programming language, create a sorting machine. 2) Create an amalgamating machine. 3) Create a machine with a function of your choice. 4) Using what you have learned in the previous exercises, create a factory with multiple functions.
MAKING: I began by learning to sort using assigned variables, had complications and decided that I was not truly sorting based on a characteristic of the object. I wanted to learn how to truly sort by color. In my second machine, I learned how to program RGB values and explored object oriented methods of assigning random color value, velocity, and direction. In my later machines I tried to create two opposing sides, one that tries to destroy itself and one that tries to survive. I played with chain reactions and interactions and by mistake discovered methods that genuinely display destruction. My final factory used the previous machines to create a factory that heats-up or cools-down based on audio input. These mini projects allowed me to exercise my strengths and play off my weaknesses in programming. WARNING: SOME OF THESE MACHINES MAY TEMPORARILY FREEZE YOUR COMPUTER. DON'T WORRY, IT'S PART OF THE VISUALIZATION.
MEANING: There is certainly value in learning the basics of programming. There is greater value in learning to define and manipulate the characteristics of systems. How to analyze them and the interactions within. However, the big take away for me was learning to play to the constraints of a particular task and then let the result become a genuine representaion of your exploration.