LightShow was my final project for i290-13, Theory and Practice of Tangible User Interfaces. The goal of the project was to create a simple, intuitive interface for designing and controlling a multicolored light show.

In summary, I created the interface using frosted glass and rear projection, in conjunction with infrared LEDs within a “dropper” mechanism for color selection and a Nintendo Wiimote collecting input from the LEDs.

By pressing a button on the dropper at the selected position on the projected color wheel, the user activates the infrared LEDs. The X,Y location of the LEDs is interpreted by the Wiimote. I wrote a Cocoa application utilizing the infrared detection capabilities of the Wiimote to convert the user’s selected X,Y position into the correct RGB value. By passing this value to a serial port output, it is simple to control the light show: an array of red, green, and blue LEDs.

For more specific details of the design and creation process, my initial design ideas and final project writeup are available for download at the bottom of this page.

The glass panel interface, without rear projection

The complete interface, with rear projection
turned on and the Cocoa application running.

The color picker itself is simple: A modified turkey baster with three infrared LEDs attached to a couple of watch batteries and a switch at the top. Pushing the switch activates the LEDs. The mechanism is intended to emulate the familiar color dropper prevalent in graphics editing programs.

LightShow color picker. Note infrared LEDs at the end.

The LightShow color picker in use.

The project was presented during the Tangible User Interface open house exhibitions in December 2007.

More on this project:

• Final Project Writeup - A thorough writeup of the project specifics, including the design process.
• Midterm presentation - Slideshow of the initial design concept proposal