Performative Media (Final Project)

Performative Media (Final Project)

Performative Media （ Final Project）

LI YUHAN / 0379857

Sonic Design / Bachelor of  interactive spatial design

Week 10

This week we finally started working on the physical components of our final project! After group discussions, we realized our world-building needed more grounding, so we decided to refine the story setting first. My main task is sketching—turning the wild ideas from our discussions into tangible, visual concepts. We also need to smooth out the visuals in TouchDesigner. During our previous demo, Mr. Max mentioned the particles felt a bit choppy, the background was too busy, and the magic effects weren't clear. So after much experimentation this week, we settled on a pure black background to make particle trails and lighting more pronounced. 

Mr.Max gave us some advide

We also added a subtle background melody—like fairies gently plucking a harp—which softened the overall atmosphere considerably. Honestly, though, the thought of the upcoming public exhibition is making me nervous... Facing so many unfamiliar visitors and explaining the interactive logic. Just imagining it makes my palms sweat. The instructor later announced the booth dimensions: a 1m x 1m x 1m space. Our team found reference images, so next up is drafting new presentation diagrams.

The size of the device was determined through an online discussion.

our frist sketch

Week 11

This week, I've been thinking about the specific design of the installation. Our theme is magic and fantasy, so during discussions, we concluded that combining concepts like "purple," "clouds," and "flowers" should express our ideas. I didn't plan to use foam to shape and wrap around the screen to make it look like a cohesive whole rather than a solitary screen sitting there. However, during our practical tests, we discovered that foam sticks to the screen and is difficult to clean off. This led us to consider cotton—it achieves the desired effect, is easy to clean, simple to shape, affordable, and readily available. I sketched several versions of scenes incorporating cotton and artificial flowers. When we showed these to Mr. Zepn, he wasn't satisfied, feeling they resembled decorations rather than an art installation. We had to continue brainstorming new ideas.

After determining the specific project to do, I bought the materials on Shopee:

Seeing our disappointment, Mr. Zoen offered guidance. He suggested designing a "magic wand holder"—an independent installation that would enhance both functionality and conceptual depth. We immediately began brainstorming ideas, researching materials, and I started sketching structural drafts. Our initial concept involved a spiral abstract structure evoking dreamlike, magical qualities. Specifically, we planned to bend wire into fluid lines, then cover it with super-light clay to achieve a soft, three-dimensional form. After consulting with Mr. Max, we decided to mount the screen higher, leaving space below for the installation. Those days were truly exhausting—I sketched endlessly, developing over a dozen different winding patterns and base designs.

Week 12

This week we visited the venue and received our equipment, beginning layout simulations.

However, Mr. Zeon suggested refining the new concepts we'd painstakingly developed the previous week. He felt the installation lacked sufficient presence, appearing merely as screen decoration. This prompted another round of brainstorming and countless additional sketches. We refocused on capturing the intangible, fluid essence of "magic," deciding to use "curves" and "rhythm" as our core visual language. For days, I practically lived in my sketchbook, producing no fewer than twenty drafts—spiral, interlaced, suspended... We even experimented with adding straws and light strips, but ultimately abandoned the idea for fear of overcomplicating it. 

Later, our instructor suggested merging two concepts: one featuring a double helix structure formed by twisted wire, and another with a crescent-shaped base. Combining them significantly improved the design! Our final solution uses the crescent base for support, with the main body crafted from wire twisted into counter-spiraling curves. This is wrapped in sheer fabric to create a dreamy, diffused glow when illuminated. The color scheme will be unified in purple tones to echo the magical particles on the screen. Though my hands ached from sketching and got burned while hot-gluing ribbons, seeing the design evolve from a vague concept into something tangible feels incredibly rewarding!!

Because the previous design was modified, the materials couldn't be used either. So we bought new materials together:

Because our ideas have been revised, the time has become urgent. We are very worried that if we can't finish it, we will have to make the best use of every bit of time to complete our device.

On December 13th, after purchasing our materials, we headed to the GMBB exhibition hall to begin constructing our installation. Having never created a physical art installation before—our previous work involved modeling or drawing—this process proved particularly challenging for us. Fortunately, we managed to complete it relatively smoothly.

On December 14th, Mr. Max also visited the exhibition hall to provide guidance. We showed him our current finished piece, and he suggested creating another one to achieve better symmetry when displayed. However, considering time constraints, materials, and the best visual effect, we decided to slightly modify the original sketch. We transformed the central section into two intertwined wires wrapped with ribbon.

Later, Mr. Zeon also offered suggestions, noting that using thin wire wrapped to mimic thicker wire could achieve both aesthetic appeal and structural support. We immediately adopted this advice and proceeded to continue working on our installation.

So our final presentation turned out like this:

Week 13

This week, the 3A floor exhibition hall finally opened. We moved our pieces down from the fourth floor and set them up. After seeing our classmates' work, we were pretty devastated—we kept feeling ours wasn't refined or attractive enough. But following Mr. Max's suggestions, we made step-by-step improvements, transforming it into something more beautiful.

Mr. Max suggested we disassemble the installation and place one section on each side for better balance and aesthetics. This became our final display piece, and it truly looks so much better—we felt a real sense of accomplishment!!