"When I was younger I used to get sick a lot and as a result I would also stay home from school a lot. While I was at home I would spend hours on the computer seeing what I could create. One day when I was about 7 years old I was watching my dad while he was doing some work on his laptop. He was using Microsoft Word to create a document and I saw him using the clipart function to add a picture to the document. That really interested me, being able to type any word and then have multiple pictures related to that word appear. When my dad was finished with his work I asked him if I could use his computer and he let me. I ended up using Microsoft Word to put pictures and shapes together to make many different colourful posters.

Long story short, by the time I got to high school I knew almost everything about all of the Microsoft programs. In my first year of high school I took an information technology course and received a 96% because I had already taught myself everything that was taught in that course. My interest in computers and art started to grow even more so I took other courses such as visual arts, photography, communication technology, graphic design, fashion design, and even baking (to learn cake decorating). Digital art has always been my favourite because I love the things I’m able to create with a computer. All of this led me to want a career involving computers but in a way, that would continue to let me be creative.

As a Digital Media student I have created many projects over the years. Many of these projects involve physical computing and a lot of coding such as MAX/MSP, Processing, Arduino, and Python.

Some of the projects that I’ve created are:

• The Human Brain (MAX/MSP Codes) The Human Brain is a computer based project which includes four virtual worlds that demonstrate the capabilities of the human brain such as thoughts, emotions, body movements, and dreams.
• Genny (Robot – Physical Computing): Genny is a robot that was created to educate participants about the impending growth of technology and the how it has affected Genny`s world in the year 3000. This robot allows the user to ask specific questions about Genny and the future in the year 3000. "She" responds based on the questions the user asks. It’s a robot that moves, sings and dances, based on commands.
• The Great Turtle’s Journey (Physical Computing): This project was based on the mythology story about the Delaware Natives believing that planet earth was created on a turtle’s back. The goal of the project was to create a structure that would be able to test environmental conditions. Our group chose to test water, so we tested the temperature and flow of the Don River. Based on the temperature of the water, the turtle would light up to various colours. The flow sensor detected the rate of flow of the water and the led strips would change to specific colours based on the readings.

Usually when I work on creating projects like these I work with in groups. Everyone in the group always has a role / part they’re in charge of and as a group we always help each other out to get the work done. We try to have fun while creating these projects because when we have fun doing it the results of the projects always end up turning out better."

Kimberly Davis, student, pictured with one of her installation projects
Specialized Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media
School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design

Photo credit: davidgoldmanphoto.com