Outline
In this lab you will:
- do some arts and crafts to finish off the term
Introduction
As this term comes to a close, I thought it’d be good to turn away from our screens for a week and do some hands on artmaking together. Going beyond the technicalities of how we may facilitate human-computer interaction, let’s consider how computers have already interacted with us in our lives. Today’s lab is all about reflecting on our relationship with computers, how that impacts the work we do with computers, and critically considering how our creative code practices may have changed our relationship with computers.
Reflect
I introduced some reflection theory in lab 11, where Driscoll’s “What?” Model creates a cycle of the following three questions:
- What?
- So what?
- Now what?
I think it’s important to first reflect on everything we have done this term. Now that you have finished portfolio 3, consider:
- What did you learn?
- Why was it important? What did it make you curious about?
- How will you apply this in the future?
I would like you to write out your thoughts and responses to these questions.
Personal Histories
Now we’ll be doing a blind drawing activity.
Draw a computer or digital technology that played an important role in your early life — maybe your first computer, a family gaming console, or even an old mobile phone. Do this without looking at the paper while you draw (you can peek when you’re done!).
This isn’t about being a great artist — it’s a way to loosen up and engage with memory and emotion before we dive into more reflective making.
Once you’ve finished your drawing, take a few minutes to write about:
- What is this technology?
- What role did it play in your life?
- How do you feel about it now?
Zine Making
For the second half of the lab, we’ll be making a small reflective zine.
A zine (short for magazine) is a small, self-published booklet often used for artistic or personal expression. Today, you’ll make an 8-page zine that captures your personal journey through this course.
Your zine might include:
- A title page
- Drawings, diagrams, or comics
- Your reflection from earlier
- A page about your creative coding process
- A short piece about how your relationship with computers has changed
- Anything else you want to add!
You can make this by folding and cutting a single A3 sheet (I’ll show you how), or by stapling pages together if you prefer.
Take your time with this — it’s not about making something perfect, but something meaningful. I’ve brought in different materials you’re welcome to use to create your responses.
Summary
That’s it! You’ve reached the end of the term, and hopefully, this lab helped you pause and appreciate how far you’ve come. You’ve not only learned how to make things with code — you’ve also explored what it means to make creatively with technology.
Congratulations! In this lab you:
- did some arts and crafts to finish off the term