"visualising the precision of pressure in hand-block printing."

'Block To Byte' combines traditional craft with cutting-edge technology. I have developed a sensor-equipped 3D printed block that mimics those used in traditional hand-block printing in India. This block is equipped with pressure and touch sensors that gauge the force applied to it and record the block’s position whilst printing. To communicate this, a creative visualisation of particles is displayed on a screen, responding dynamically to location and pressure variations and mirroring the tactile experience of block printing.

This idea not only explores the nuances of the embodied processes of hand-block printing but it also highlights the extreme precision required in pressure application, showcasing how subtle variations can yield diverse outcomes in this heritage craft.

This project uses pressure sensors to analyse the role of pressure in hand block printing. Through digital software like Processing and TouchDesigner, this project showcases how pressure variations affect print outcomes. This interactive game allows non-craftspeople to experience the intricacies of hand block printing by adjusting pressure and movement in real time. By merging technology with tradition, it fosters appreciation and redefines block printing techniques. This hands-on approach fosters appreciation for traditional techniques while encouraging creative exploration.

PROCESS

Using TouchDesigner; programming the software to detect the colour red and block any other colour against a black background.

STEP 1

Creating visuals for the display screen; imagining a system of particles that is interactive and dynamic.

STEP 4

Setting up the pressure sensors on to Arduino; the pressure sensors used in this project are very sensitive and compact. They can detect a pressure ranging anywhere between 0 to 1023 units.

STEP 3

Creating a code for location tracking; this was done so that the colour detection program could detect where the object is and subsequently display its location with respect to X and Y coordinates.

STEP 2