of Project Contributions
J Weiler
This page provides a summary of my recent projects. Each section includes a description, list of my contributions, and links to project documentation. The type of documentation varies depending of the nature of the project.
Description
In this project, we created a system (Lithobox) that translates the traditional ceramic and lighting technique of lithophanes into a means of creating illuminated 3D models through a creative approach that utilizes both digital and tangible construction.
My contributions
- Proposed and oversaw project
- Designed and implemented an algorithm that generated a radially symmetrical 3D printable lithophane from 2D images (including embedding images on inner and outer surface of lithophane, and changing silhouette of lithophane)
- Designed and implemented user interface that allowed users to make their own lithophanes
- Designed user feedback study
- Conducted all in-person interviews with study participants
- Analyzed participant feedback
- Contributed to documentation and write-up (First author)
Documentation
Conference paper
Instructable
In-progress update
Description
To explore how sensing, visualizing, and sharing these aspects of the creative process might shape art making and art viewing experiences, we designed a research probe which unobtrusively tracks and visualizes the movement and pressure of the artist's pencil on an easel. Using the probe, we conducted studies with artists and experienced art viewers, which reveal digital and physical representations of creative process as a means of reflecting on a multitude of factors about the finished artwork, including technique, style, and the emotions of the artists.
My contributions
- Designed and implemented an algorithm that generated bas-relief 3D models from hand location and speed data
- Assisted in workshop and interviewing study participants
- Contributed to documentation and write-up
Documentation
Conference paper
In-progress update
Description
This project explored the creation of cast bronze objects from complex 3D printed models. In the design and manifestation of these pieces, I focused on models that would be difficult to impossible to create without the use of 3D printing technology, and used centrifugal casting in order to successfully create the finished objects. The final sculptures contained both visible physical qualities of the 3D printing process and metal casting, and hint at the type of work that can be made through collaboration of digital fabrication and traditional crafting techniques.
My contributions
- Proposed and oversaw project
- Designed and implemented algorithms to generate 3D models
- Worked in collaboration with foundry to have 3D prints cast into metal
Documentation
3D Print Metal Blog Entry
Description
This project documented the creation of prototypes for a 2D animatable character that could simulate 3D perspective without having to render a 3D object or require the use of multiple 2D models.
My contributions
- Proposed and oversaw project
- Designed and implemented algorithms for all prototypes (including code for overall design, animation, and interactive features)
Documentation
Video Updates
Description
The project explored potential applications of mycelium—the vegetative part of a fungus made up of fine filaments that can be grown on a substrate to take a specific form—as a sustainable and accessible biofabrication material for prototyping design research. We focused on three fabrication possibilities of mycelium 1) disposable low fidelity enclosures for rapid prototypes; 2) mycelium forms sculpted with everyday materials; and 3) physical replicas of 3D models grown out of mycelium.
My contributions
- Collaborative brainstorming of material uses for mycelium
- Designed and implemented an algorithm that generated bas-relief 3D models from grayscale images
- Desgiend and carried out exploratory research and documentation of creating physical replicas of 3D prints grown out of mycelium
Documentation
Conference paper
In-progress update
Description
As an alternative to 3D printing in color, this project explored the possibility of creating 3D prints with detailed surface color by pasting 2D printed images onto the surface of mono-color objects.
My contributions
- Proposed and oversaw project
- Designed and implemented an algorithm that warped a 2D image into shapes that can be cut and fit onto orbs
- Designed and implemented an algorithm that generates 3D-printable Russian nesting dolls
- Planned, ran, documented, and analyzed feedback from user workshop
- Designed and implemented an algorithmic alternative for warping images
- Designed and implemented a user interface for warping 2D designs onto complex 3D models
- Prototyped and built fabric models
Documentation
Workshop update
Further research
Description
This art project focused on creating visual and tactile data visualization of an important indicator of global climate change: sea ice extent. The resulting collection of two and three dimensional tactile images stem from the team's ability to develop original coding, intensive information-bearing 3D modeling and rendering, 3D printing, robotic tool-path stone milling, and ceramic shell metal casting.
My contributions
- Designed and implemented an algorithm to generate 3D-printable 3D models from datasets of sea ice extent
Documentation
Marble Blog Entry
Description
This research project focused on adaptation as a design strategy that compliments existing approaches to mitigate human impact on the environment. We conducted a summer-long diary study in Phoenix, Arizona that probed how extreme heat impacts human lives and how participants cope with extreme heat. Based on feedback from the diary study, we developed prototypes for DIY visualizing, coping with, and utilizing extreme heat.
My contributions
- Collaborated on design of diary study
- Conducted all in-person interviews with study participants
- Analyzed participant feedback
- Brainstormed heat mitigation strategies
- Engaged in hands-on prototyping of DIY heat mitigation strategies
- Contributed to documentation and write-up (First author)
Documentation
Conference paper
