VirtuOso
January - May 2019
Overview
VirtuOso connects to a drawing app that charges your vibrator while you make art. The longer you doodle, draw, or write using the app, the longer you can use your virtuOso vibe! You can also set your virtuOso to 'live mode' for instant positive reinforcement as you make art ;)
With virtuOso, you align the body's built-in reward system with making art. By autonomously—and autonomically— triggering reward for creativity, it becomes more tangible, achievable, and frequent. More practice, more pleasure!
My role
This project was a collaboration with Gabriella Garcia who let the idea development, video, design. I was the creative technologist on the project and was responsible for the creative development, technical direction, fabrication and programming of the vibrator.
How it works
In its current iteration, the device has 2 modes:
- Charging mode: The device reacts to using an MSPaint-style sketch via the USB port and time spent drawing with the app is converted into minutes of use on the device. For every 10 minutes spent on the app, the device can run for a minute.
- Live Mode: The device triggers the vibration motors and LEDs while the paint app is being used.
Exhibits
Virtuoso was show-cased at the NYU ITP Spring show 2019.
