VJ Controller – S.B.C. & 3D

Blackbox VJ Controller: Speculative MA Thesis

This project was the result of my speculative MA thesis, which explored the tension (and distance) between control inputs and creative output with analogue & digital mediums, focusing on chance methods. To achieve this, two visual jockey (VJ) controllers were made: one digital (blackboxvj.me) and a custom 3D-printed controller, enabling co-creation between hardware and real-time visual output.

Ask (self-developed brief)

Develop a system that explores the relationship between digital and analogue input/output through a web-based and physical visual controller, using VJing as a framework for real-time creative interaction and generative output.

Highlight/s

The digital controller was labelled, due to the sheer amount of customization available. A key design decision was to leave the physical controller unlabeled. The intention was to encourage a more intuitive, exploratory form of interaction, where users could "play" rather than rely on explicit instructions.

This shifted the focus away from understanding the system and towards experiencing it directly. It was a decision made when user testing and seeing how people interacted with each type of controller; most people were locked in with the visual output, essentially "vibing" it out with the switches and knobs.

Contribution

Independently designed and developed the browser-based controller interface for Blackbox, serving as the foundation for the rest of the project
Connected the frontend system to analogue inputs using Python scripting, enabling real-time communication between hardware components and digital output
Designed a custom 3D-printed controller enclosure (Fusion 360) inspired by 90s product design, to house the single-board computer and wiring while reinforcing the overall concept
Shaped both conceptual direction and technical implementation of the thesis project end-to-end

Outcome

The project was exhibited during Oslo Art Weekend at the White Box, where it received a positive reception from visitors. The installation helped draw people in and created moments of curiosity and engagement around the interaction between sound (hooked up an eight hour long ambient playlist), control, and visual output.

Project media

Here are some key artefacts from the project, with captions explaining each of them.

This project started with the browser version (blackboxvj.me) and I spent months iterating on this and exploring functionality, including mapping shapes and animations via webcam.

It was interesting to see what outputs were possible when blending different features at the input stage. There were many happy little accidents

After I blended simple combinations, I looked into linking it to music and having reactivity, so syncopating to changes in beats

The transition from digital to analogue was a tough, but rewarding, experience. It was my first foray into electronics, so lots of re-soldering was needed

To begin with, I mapped each switch and potentiometer via the Analogue to Digital Converter (A.D.C.) and made a temporary site which measured values between 0.0-1.0. This came in handy for testing whether I had managed to fry any of the circuitry

For testing purposes, I built a makeshift case with labels, allowing me to assign, and reassign, features easily

An early iteration of the 'blobject' design in Fusion360. Here, I was needing to ensure structural stability while maintaining a smooth form that would fit in the 3D Printer available.

Post-curing in a UV chamber hardens the printed case, given the resin is photo-active.

To achieve the clear tech aesthetic, paying homage to the 90s, I spray it with clear spray paint to reveal a glossy finish.

Controller installed at the White Box — Installed at the White Box for Oslo Art Weekend. This exhibit allowed gallery visitors to interact and 'co-create' with the controller. I had put together a playlist to hopefully inspire some interactions

Visitors interacting with the controller — Installed at the White Box for Oslo Art Weekend. This exhibit allowed gallery visitors to interact and 'co-create' with the controller. I had put together a playlist to hopefully inspire some interactions

Black and white movement study — As a little sidequest part of this project to complete the analogue-digital loop, I took screencaps of some visual outputs and printed them in both silkscreen and digital knitting, making it a full circle moment

Visual output still — As a little sidequest part of this project to complete the analogue-digital loop, I took screencaps of some visual outputs and printed them in both silkscreen and digital knitting, making it a full circle moment

Silkscreen animation (1/2)

Two-tone digital knit