Interaction Design Thesis

The Amebeats Project (developed by Ohio State student Melissa Quintanilha) proposes a new approach to human-computer interaction by allowing people to mix sounds by manipulating physical objects instead of twisting knobs or clicking on a music production software. The amoeba shaped board has little boxes in its center that when moved to the arms, activate different sounds.

My interest in music and design merged to create a haptic interface (based on touch) that allows people to use gesture to mix sounds with their hands. My inspiration for this robotic installation came from going to parties and seeing DJs create the music on their tables, but no one knowing what they do to make the sounds. Generating music using gesture allows for a much more expressive way of creation.

This project was created in the fall/2006 and exhibited at The Ohio State University on December/2006.

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