Audio/Visual Dominic Rugman
| OUGD301
Brief 3 | Audio/ Visual Collab | Matthew Tucker
1|4
Audio / Visual is an on going research project exploring the relationship between sound and image through a variety of mediums. As a response to an image brief last year we collaborated on a similar project and wanted to continue our research, expanding on the potential we saw in it.
The brief was to undertake a series of audio/visual experiments, documenting our processes and findings in a highly visual whilst still informative publication. User engagement was key, the publication needs to be just as visual as the experiments we undertook.
We decided to work within different disciplines much like last year, myself taking on the motion response and Matt the printed. This is only true in part as we both had input on the posters, either designing the entire backs or fronts and fusing them together. All of the design process was strictly collaborative, with idea generation and process taking place together ranging from concept tweaking to format and stock choices.
Audio/Visual Dominic Rugman
| OUGD301
Brief 3 | Audio/ Visual Collab | Matthew Tucker
2|4
The research we carried out took place in the form of experiments that were based around 4 electronic music tracks, in which we wanted to control certain variables when conducting our experiments in order to find out how each track responded to the process.
The experiments split up into analogue and digital, the first two using acrylic paint on a speaker and two manipulating sound files through digital mediums. Each track was played at the same volume, with a controlled amount of paint on the speaker, allowing paint to be propelled by the bass onto a sheet of paper positioned in the same place each time.
#1 A2 sheet of paper at a 90 degree angle to the speaker with 1cm distance. #2 A 2 sheet of paper held parallel to the speaker with 15cm distance. The digital experiments were slightly more controlled in terms of variables and came out with significantly different visual responses.
#3 Importing the mp3 into Audacity (audio program) and acquiring the highest waveform (loudest point), cropping in and taking a vector reading of the wave, noting the time it occurred. #4 Converting an mp3 into a .raw file and opening it in Photoshop, controlling the amount of pixel size, channel count and amount of bits.
Audio/Visual Dominic Rugman
| OUGD301
Brief 3 | Audio/ Visual Collab | Matthew Tucker
3|4
Above are images of the four poster responses that correspond to each track we used in the experiments. They are all included with the publication and have a double sided print with a series of visuals that link up when the posters are arranged in various positions.
The publication is a journal of our processes, information on how each was set up and all other relevant information we have been gathering. The book is primarily printed in black and white, allowing focus to be drawn towards the shapes and forms found within the paint when directly exposed to the audio.
We have made sure all of the elements within the project have links. Not only do each of the experiment posters link up side by side, but the publication’s chapters are based on each experiment in the same way. Each chapter is separated by a double page colour spread, each half always corresponding exactly with the relevant poster (left hand side linking with the previous chapter and the right linking with the next). This addition of colour further explores the visuals on the black and white posters, bringing small parts of them to life, reiterating the links.
Audio/Visual Dominic Rugman
| OUGD301
Brief 3 | Audio/ Visual Collab | Matthew Tucker
4|4
We wanted to keep a digital element within our final resolution, thus including a short DVD with the project pack that includes a set of videos created throughout the production process in order for the user to gain a greater understanding behind the process of the visuals. Also bridging the gap between the audio and visual elements, the user then able to watch the result whilst listening to the audio used to trigger it.
On top of the actual recorded material, I worked on a short motion graphic, sampling a minute of each of the four tracks used throughout the production process. Each track is represented by a waveform that alters in scale, density and form as the tracks play over each minute.
In keeping with the idea of static variables, I ensured each track was subject to the same effects, although not at the exact same time junctures. The effects changed with the nature of each piece of music, usually around every 8 bars or where a significant change appeared in the song.
As we are hoping to extend the brief into our FMP next year, we need a substantial body of research to work from, but also a substantial amount of prospects for the project in order for it to evolve. We have found a location to set up an exhibition which coincides with the Loco brief I’ve been working on, utilizing the same venue and working in conjunction with the same night. As it is very experimental, they have agreed to set up an audio visual event alongside ourselves incorporating their audio skills with our visuals.