Project #1: Lost & Found

Description

This is a group project from critical computation class. In this project, we worked as pairs and described a lost item to each other. Followingly, through a set of instructions we give to each other, we will need to recreate the image through p5.js. During the entire process, we are not allowed to show pictures and the only thing we can follow is the instruction we gave each other. This is a project to learn about how computers execute lines of code, and compare the different between human logic and computer algorithm.

Design Process

During the process, my partner and I each picked an item that we lost in the past. We described the object in detail through plain language and aim to recreate each other's object through the instruction.

Here's my partner(Ziwei Ji)'s instruction:

• • It's a watch.
• • The watch cases have a light rose frame.
• • On the watch's face, there are 12 small rose dots representing numbers 1- 12(smaller than the small bumps wrapped around the frames), and the face is a light cream white color.
• • The three hands that represent seconds, minutes, and hours have a light rose color. And seconds are the thinnest and longest, next is minutes, and the hour hand is the shortest and thickest. All of them are connected with a larger circular dot in the center of the watch.
• • On the watch's face, a logo 'CLUSE' is located on the upper center of the watch. And a small black hexagon located on the lower center of the watch.
• • On the watch's right side, a rose color crown next to the 3 o'clock hour marker. The crown is rectangular.
• • The lugs of the watch are a light rose gold color as well to hold on the straps.
• • The straps are a fabric texture with a cream color. (a bit of darker than the face of the watch)

Reflection

In this lost and found project, we worked as pairs to experiment computer algorithms through describing an object and recreating the object following a set of instructions that our partners give. This exercise helped me understand how computers work through lines of code instructions and how human logic can be different from computer logic. Compared to humans, who are more cognitive and use different senses and body languages during communication, computer logic is a lot more basic and straightforward.

My partner from this project is Ziwei Ji, and the language she used is quite descriptive. Yet I found color can be an aspect that is hard to describe or to communicate accurately, especially with different shades and tones. This tells me the importance of using RGB or CMYK color during coding as it significantly increases the accuracy of color in coding projects.

To depict the image using code can be a lot harder than drawing it down. I found the drawing exercise we did in class to be a lot simpler than using code. What I found challenging was the coordination of 2D primitive objects, not only does it need the right mindset for the computer coordinates, there’s often math involved in it. Using mathematical formulas to create images is not as direct as drawing it down on a piece of paper, so I would consider it as a challenging aspect.

I did not find interpretation hard during this project, yet I believe it is due to the reason that I, as a human, know what a watch looks like in the first place. My personal experience can be really helpful during this project, and my challenge was to communicate my understanding with the computer who has no idea what a watch looks like. This is when my coding instruction becomes crucial that it needs to be broken down into simple and direct instructions yet form a comprehensive image of the watch with certain logistics behind it. I think this exercise really helped me to understand how computers execute codes and the algorithms behind to interconnect all the instructions