The intent of this project was to investigate the intersection between the aesthetic choices digital artists make when designing an ambient display and the information those aesthetics can deliver. It examined the line between aesthetics and utility in informative ambient displays; the process in which artists create informative art, and how those who observe these artistic mediums can perceive the working forces behind the abstract forms presented.

To assist the extensive research regarding aesthetics and utility, an ambient weather display was created that could transmit information in the background or the periphery of a person’s attention, whereby a person could check the state of a display by glancing at it and not be overwhelmed with information processing. This ambient display used both audio and visual communication channels to inform observers of the current weather conditions based on where the weather station was located. A mini weather station was designed and placed outside the Computer Science building in UL whereby its meteorological sensors acted as inputs to generate a dynamic soundscape and visualization in real time indoors. Through data analysis, normalising data and mapping techniques, the output of data was more than arbitrary. The colours, speed of movement, positioning of shapes, key, scale etc. created changed to reflect updates in the data thus becoming a narrative. The metaphorical data output prompted a link with the human minds understanding of the world relating to weather via the aesthetic contextual undertones that may worry, annoy, relax, and excite a person.

Software used:
Arduino controls the meteorological sensors that monitor weather behaviour. This data is then sent to Max MSP via the Bluetooth module. Max MSP is responsible for calculating the weathers ‘pleasantness’, generating the audio attributes of the project and then passing the intensity levels onto Processing in a form of OSC messages. Processing then generates the visuals on screen whereby the dynamics will synch with the audio output.

Hardware used:
Arduino Uno, Barometric/Temperature Sensor, Rain Sensor, Wind Sensor, Photocell, Bluetooth Module, 6 AA NiMh batteries.

Demonstration