Digital Fabrication HS 2020

source: 20Hz observes a geo-magnetic storm occurring in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Working with data collected from the CARISMA radio array and interpreted as audio, we hear tweeting and rumbles caused by the incoming solar wind, captured at the frequency of 20 Hertz. https://semiconductorfilms.com/art/20hz/

Digital Fabrication Seminar HS2018 

Digital fabrication is a process that merges design and manufacture through the use of digital tools (software) and computer-controlled manufacturing processes. Such processes position "digital natives" in the forefront of craft and form generation. Today, engineers, designers and artists are leading the development of new sculpting, construction and manufacturing strategies. Methods such as CNC milling, laser cutting, robotic fabrication among others, allow us to materialise radical new forms inspired by biological processes, mathematics and computational geometry.

Lecturers: Luke Franzke, Clemens Winkler

Format: Hybrid

All inputs and mentoring will take place over Zoom. However, in order to use the 3D printers and to make a photo documentation of the final outcomes, students will be required to periodically work in the Atelier or the Workshop. 

Course Goals

In this course, students gain an insight into methods and techniques that blur the boundary between digital and analogue, virtual and physical. Students gain insights into principles from geometry and formation processes. The course provides a number of skills that are highly transferable to various aspects of prototyping for interaction designers.   

Contents 

• Software
• Tools
• Readings
• Project Briefs
• Documentation Template 

Topic 2020

QUANTUM FABRICATION

We experience a world ruled by the principles of classical physics. We can feel gravity, mass, acceleration, and observe the effects of surface tension or magnetism. Yet, the substances that surround us are made from waves and particles governed by alien rules that are completely incongruous with what we perceive. Sometimes, one thing is in two places at the same time, or perhaps everywhere all the time. Some substances behave differently if you are looking at them, and when you are not. Others interact with substances that could be kilometres away, what Einstein described as "spooky action at a distance". Quantum Technologies are a relatively new emerging field on the interactions of light and matter, such as high-precision clocks, electronic computers, Laser technologies, all digital communication technologies, medical devices such as MRI or CT Scanners, new energy supply Technologies such as solar fusion or somedays desired teleportation.

(clemens winkler (Unlicensed): just some lines of thought on the topic..
on quantum mechanics:
even if called on a hybrid worldview as "quantum paradigm", it is obvious that we are already living in a networked world, which is more interconnected than ever, where "information transcends space and time, and communication allows us to be at more than one place at the same time, and where action-at-a-distance is very possible and very real."(ia#4 Feng, Quantum Architecture, 2011)
further http://www.quantumcity.com/publication/quantum-environments-urban-design-in-the-post-cartesian-paradigm-thesis-conclusions/

motivation for our course:
"The scientific reading of natural systems and phenomena has recently been adopted as one of the main driving forces for new developments in designing processes, such as neural networks, flocks of birds, genetic coding, fractal geometries and various computational machineries." (ia#4 Feng, Quantum Architecture, 2011) They have facilitated our ability to realise new kinds of spatial and material organizations already enriching our understanding of the inner logics of space and material* and we would like to ask in this module for these new kinds of spatial and material organisations through views on Quantum principles. How does it appear and which aesthetics and affordances can it take for us in the field of Interaction Design? From this point new forms of interactions between users and their constructed environments can be envisioned from us through computational tools and fabrication strategies.

*Today the most precise explanation of our physical world has not only triggered huge amount of New Technologies mentioned above, but has also introduced a revolutionary Quantum world view that considers the material world as a non-deterministic construct, deciphered with probability and interactivity. 

concept examples:
.. "Quantum states" in everyday life contain many states of a thing in one.. how does this appear?

...algorithmic probability fields with non-local informations - how does this appear?
..how does a reasoning tree structure looks like in a highly interacting quantum understanding jumping between reasonings with touching its pathways..
..a good scenario is the interaction between the designer and the algorithmic design until it comes to a design result..
.. 
..how thing Quantum Fabrication in its result still relational?...

contemporary ecological interpretations of Entanglements: https://medium.com/the-long-now-foundation/the-enlightenment-is-dead-long-live-the-entanglement-bcaed951b528 and https://jods.mitpress.mit.edu/pub/ageofentanglement/release/1

fabrication examples:
 https://semiconductorfilms.com/art/parting-the-waves/
)

In this year's digital fabrication module, we will attempt to give substance to fantastic phenomena, by creating lively physical representations of impossible formations of matter, that disobey the conventions of classical physics. Can they move backwards, and forwards through time? Do they split, dublicate or merge our everyday lives? What possibilities exist for interaction between people and such exotic formations?

Students will create a sequence of 3D printed objects, to produce a stop-motion animation of their Impossible material-energy formations in a real-world setting. This short animation will be supported by a brief text. 

Reference Material:

• Quantum Physics:
  • Entanglement
  • What quantum physics looks like

• Animation:
  • The Magnetic Movie
• Materials:
  • https://www.virtualspace.matters-of-activity.de/annualconference/?id=0

Expectations and Grading

Grades will be based on group presentations, class participation, documentation and final work. An attendance of min. 80% is required to pass the course.

Individual Work (30%) 

1. Workbook documentation of exercises and minor projects from week 1
2. Presentation of Minor Exercises 

Group Work (70%) 

1. Animated rendering
2. Presentation of process and outcomes
3. Standard IAD Documentation 
   • Video of the final object
   • Image selection
   • Documentation in standard pdf format. 

Final Presentation notes:

• Online format 
• 5 minutes for presentation, and 5 minutes for feedback and discussion
• Explanation of the process and the thinking that brought you to this outcome  

Time Plan

All inputs in Zoom

Workshop: 3.E07-A is available for work, as well as the use of 3D printers in the Project Room 

Notes:

https://www.virtualspace.matters-of-activity.de
 
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/architecture/people/prof-marcos-cruz
 
https://www.ericklarenbeek.com


Loss of Distance - or space zero gravity
Trans-digital materials


Talking about quantum physics and the impact on interaction design: Semiconductors for example