Have you ever wanted take Digital Art beyond the screen, or add interactive elements to your existing work? Arduino is the place to start, it is the gateway to the fascinating world of electronics. Whether you’re looking to create motion-based installations, performance-based interactions, or simply experiment with new creative tools, this session will equip you with the skills to bring your ideas to life.
Robert Hall leads a series of two beginner workshops (Intro to Arduino 1 / Intro to Arduino 2) exploring the fundamentals of physical computing through Arduino. On this course you will gain an understanding of what an Arduino is, why it is useful and what sort of work it makes possible.
Intro to Arduino 2 can be attended on its own, but if you have no previous basic understanding of Arduino, we recommend also attending Intro to Arduino 1.
What will be covered?
Building on Intro to Arduino 1, we’ll expand into motion and sensor-based interaction. You’ll learn how to control a servo motor using a potentiometer and explore how distance sensors can trigger movement. We’ll then integrate these elements, using the distance sensor to control both physical and digital components, expanding the range of creative possibilities to create motion-based installations or performance-based interactions.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this session, you’ll have created an interactive system where a distance sensor controls a motor’s movement. You’ll also explore how to use the distance sensor to control TouchDesigner, manipulating digital visuals with real-time physical inputs. We’ll then reverse the process, learning how to control Arduino directly from TouchDesigner, opening up new possibilities for interactive installations.
Do I need any particular skills?
Beginner workshop for those who have a basic understanding of Arduino. For those with no coding experience, we recommend you also attend Intro to Arduino 1 session.
Dates: Sat 5th April 2025
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: arebyte Gallery
Price:
£32.50 (includes Arduino kit)
£15 (If you have purchased the kit from the previous workshop)
Prerequisites: You will need a laptop computer with windows or macOS (not an iPad) and any adapters required to plug in a normal rectangle USB cable.
Robert Hall
Robert Hall is a Lecturer in Physical Computing at Goldsmiths, teaching masters students how to make physical work with interactive elements. He is also a Technician in the Hatchlab which is Goldsmiths’ Hack Space where students can use all manner of tools and processes including Soldering, 3D Printing and Laser Cutting. Outside of Goldsmiths, Rob works as a Creative Technologist, designing custom hardware for a theater production, or building a live video installation that spans 3 storeys of exhibition space.