Tangible Waveform - Brainstorm / Prototyping

So as a group we decided upon a tangible waveform project. The idea is to give some sort of interaction between a tangible wave and sound/vision.

The user should be able to manipulate a wave physically and hear or see how this effects the output. e.g. moving the waves peaks and troughs closer together (along x-axis) will increase frequency. An increase in frequency can be represented by a spinning dial/wheel – faster for higher frequency. Or by a change in sound. A change in amplitude can be represented by a change in volume or by brightness of a light etc.

Today we brainstormed and attempted to build a low fidelity prototype.
We had a number of ideas about what the user should get from the system.

By the end of the session we had built a low fidelity prototype with clay. (Image to follow)

This prototype represents the basics that we want from our TUI. (more on this to follow)

What the user can do
– record a sound clip
– play this sound clip
– manipulate the frequency of the sound wave
– manipulate the amplitude of the sound wave

What the system does
– Records an input
– Displays the sound wave
– Reads user changes to the displayed wave
– Play result

Notes form the session are here

Other Ideas
– represent the sound through different mediums (Air/Water/Wood)
– show sound as ripples in water
– output frequency and amplitude in some other form: LEDs Spinning Wheel etc.
– Physical input to control frequency and amplitude: Knob, slider.