Music Interaction Design

Catalog description

This class is a project development studio for interactive music projects —that is, pieces of music that are not linear, but rather offer multiple dimensions for listeners to explore. Applications include generative music installations, novel instruments, participative performances, museum exhibitions, games, and tools for producing and teaching music. Students will take a project from concept to execution over several iterations, applying interaction design, creative coding, and music production tools and techniques. The project development process will include gathering aural and visual references, composing graphic/tactile notations, and creating focused studies to explore interaction with specific musical elements. This work will inform the design and implementation of a functional prototype which students will test, evaluate and refine to produce their final project. The first half of the semester, the class format will be a combination of lectures, design and coding exercises, and reading discussions. To support different kinds of projects, in-class examples will include desktop (Max/MSP, Ableton Live, Max for Live), web (Tone.js + p5.js), and physical computing frameworks (Arduino compatible micro-controllers). During the second half of the semester we will shift to a more self-directed approach, as students work on their final projects. Professional practitioners will come in to share their work in the field and give students feedback on their projects. Coming in with a specific project to develop is welcome; conceiving a project during the class is encouraged, too. Some experience in making or producing music will be useful, but is not required. ICM and Physical Computing or equivalent experience are required.