Overview

Using Touchdesigner and an ESP32 Board, participants will create a wireless system that takes the video off screen and turns it into physical pixels. Live video is downsampled to a 16×16 grid, sent over WiFi, and rendered on an LED matrix. From there, we will experiment with different ways of closing the loop and get the signal back home: a light sensor, a camera, a button. Back in Touchdesigner we will trigger actions like recording, image postproduction and sounds. The workshop introduces physical computing and networking as tools for experimenting with pixels and video.

What participants leave with

A working DIY system: hardware & software.
knowledge of physical computing basics.
Basic knowledge of networking protocols within Touchdesigner.
Tools to troubleshoot.
Inspiration and a fun experiment.

Requirements

This workshop is made for participants interested in exploring physical computing as a way of experimenting with moving images and pixels beyond the conventional screen. No previous experience with physical computing or Touchdesigner is required, although some familiarity with both will be helpful.

• A PC or MAC Computer
• The latest build of TouchDesigner installed
• The latest build of Arduino IDE installed
• 3-Button Mouse recommended

Location

This workshop is hosted by Brompton Technology at 272 Gunnersbury Avenue, Chiswick, London W4 5QB, in their third-floor training room.

• By train and tube: Gunnersbury (District line, Richmond branch, and the Overground) and Kew Bridge (mainline) are both 0.4 miles away. Acton Town and Chiswick Park are 0.8 miles.
• By bus: the H91, 237, 267, 110, 440 and N9 stop on Chiswick High Road.
• By car: navigate to 270 Gunnersbury Avenue for the car park gate (what3words: dose.slap.lazy). The area is inside the ULEZ.
• By bike: racks in the covered car park, with showers and lockers on the ground floor.

Brompton's full directions: Getting to 272 (PDF)