iain carson design code - iamiain.co.ukiamiain.co.uk/media/files/isc2017.pdfproject samples 2017...

Iain Carson

Creative Coder Portfolio

Project Samples 2017 make

design

code

“I’m studying towards an MSc in Computer

Science at the University of St Andrews.”

and I also love photography

design

3 Iain CarsonCreative Coder

PantheonTableau

“Designs grow through levels –Ask the right questions,

set the right goalsmap intuitively

and write good code.”

Pantheon

Iain CarsonCreative Coder4

Interactive information visualisation project in Tableau

“A vast, incomplete, list of famous peopleand their perceived popularity”

I use a combination of Excel, JavaScript and texteditors to manipulate, complete and trim data.

Analytical abstraction of meaningful data is based on experience,

creativity,goals,

domain knowledge.

Pantheon



Visualisation transformation, experimentationin use of marks for encoding values.

Pantheon



Calculated fieldscustom functions

parameter switchesand embedded web elements

enrich interactivity beyondTableau’s default.

Simplify through reduction, organisation and context, to enhance cognition


The audience is key. This one’s for those curious children

The client matters. Here’s one for professional historians

Pantheon

Depth of data.

Powerful controls.

Dynamic views.

Simplicity.

Reduction of data through code.

Make interactivity obvious.

“I have a 1st class BSc (Hons) in Natural Sciences from

the University of Bath”

and I love a challenge

design


The Tree of Appropriateness

Sketching

“Designing visualisations requires careful processand attention to detail.

I follow the 5-sheet design process to ensure ample ideas are considered before production”


The Tree of Appropriateness

Sketching Process and Visualisation Design

Data is hard to read.I start with tools that

make it easier

Sketching doesn’t have to be neat, at first. It just has to be creative, and the

more, the better. I don’t get emotionally

attached to sketches, no matter how

beautiful they become.It’s about ideas,

content,and potential.


Even small ideas can lead to bigchanges in the final visualisation

Some encodings work better than others.

I save elements and ideas which may not work for one visualisation for re-use in other projects.

Keeping track of ideas and inspiration helps me fast-track my design learning experience


Sketches can be high-fidelity, accurately represent encodings,

and be linked to real data.

It’s a sketch until it’s indispensable

The Tree of Appropriatenesscompares datasets from

1974 and 2017. It accurately represents

over 140 data pointsand double-encodes important

parameters throughcolour, shape and size.

I feel strongly that evencomplex, multi-faceted datasetscan be projected faithfully if encoded

imaginatively.

“I have 4 years work experience in high-end

technical sales and team leadership.”

and I can’t wait to learn more

design


SimpleGridFull UI Process

“UI design is immersive, almost boundless in scope.As a competent coder, team leader and project manager

I’m unafraid to branch into peripheral fieldsto make sure features will work well

from the engineer to the client.

simplegrid


simplegrid

I use my 4 years experience in technical sales, with elements

learned from MSc courses in HCI to extract user requirements

This system diagram wasclient-verified

early in the design process to catch any misunderstandings

I’m competent in the use of a variety of UML

techniques, and quick to builddiagrams if it aids communication

Interview

Questionnaire

Observation

Video/audio analysis

Just some of the techniques I use


simplegrid

This is a hybridworkflow-activity diagram

I created this to bridge the gap between contextual enquiry and UI design

It captures the customer’s workflow and offers insight into potential UI solutions

This diagram was treated as a visual, dynamic UI requirements document

The diagram is easily understood by both the design team and the client.


simplegrid

I gather materials from both real and digital sources

Moodboards, concept diagrams and mockups are excellent communicators of intent and potential.

I can build UI elements in a wide range of design tools


simplegrid

P1

+RG1

C1 +

+

P1 P1

+

+

+

When building a UI, I evaluate process and workflowfrom the ground up.

A new UI doesn’t just mean new looks; it presents opportunity for improvement

from the moment the user starts interacting.

As a physicist with computer science training, I’m aware of how my

design choices may affect technical implementation

down the line.

I don’t let that stop me from innovating.


simplegrid

I buildinteractive digital prototypes

usingPowerPoint,

myBalsamiqand InVision

I also see valuein physicaland paper

prototypes

Client feedback is critical at every stage of the design process.

As an experiencedtechnical sales engineer,

I know how to interpretcomplex specifications,

and how to sell my ideas in response.

“I’m effective in JavaScript, C#, Java andFrench”

and I love discovering new tools

code


I’m a Computer Scientist

Get me out of hereC#

“You don’t have to take coding seriouslyto make serious code”

I’M A COMPUTER SCIENTIST GET ME OUT OF HERE


Watch the video

https://ic48.host.cs.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/jungle.mp4

https://ic48.host.cs.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/jungle.mp4


I’m comfortable with both object-oriented

and functionalprogramming

This project was made in C#using a Microsoft Kinect

I’ve also used C# to build games in Unity

I’M A COMPUTER SCIENTIST GET ME OUT OF HERE

“I’ve picked up Angular, WPF, JavaFX, Android, Processing, D3, Unity…”

and I love using them creatively

code


IdeaManagerAndroid

“With less than two months’ programming experience I was challenged to write an Android app in

under two weeks.Here’s the result.”

IdeaManager


You’re probably still recovering from your Jungle Escape experience.

That’s OK

This project is somewhat more mundane

https://ic48.host.cs.st-andrews.ac.uk/projects/ideaman.html




“I’ve built apps for Kinect, Arduino, Android and the Web”

and half of that was just for fun

make


VAPIRProcessing

“Big problemscan always be broken down into a series of

small problemswhich when addressed individually really

aren’t that scary.”

https://sway.com/8Z8XyIPcIpRIb5aB


VAPIRVisualisation of Audio

and Physicality In Realtime

SWAY

DEMO VIDEO


https://ic48.host.cs.st-andrews.ac.uk/projects/VAPIR.html




DEMO VIDEO

VAPIR augments how

people experience

music

It creates visualisations

responsive to both the

music and the listeners





DEMO VIDEO

VAPIR is built under

Linux using an

MS Kinect,

Processing,

and Java Minim

My depth threshold

algorithm identifies the

nearest user in the room.

It then finds edges

and tracks bodies.





DEMO VIDEO

My sound analysis tool, made using the Minim library.

It uses the Beat Detect,

Fourier Transform and

Buffer classes.

I built my own tools to explore

elements of the visualisations before

the final designs were implemented





DEMO VIDEO

I built over

20 visualisations

before settling on the

final

four.


“Everything in this portfolio

was made

in the last 6 months”

and that’s only the beginning

make


AxteroidsArduino

“I aim to excel instinctively.”


axteroids


fully functioning arcade game

joystick

tap with potentiometer calibration

LED feedback

physical interface

powered by Phidget

designed from the ground up as an experiment

in event-based programming.

allowed iteration on control position and

software behaviour.

Sensitivity tuning dial integrated following

testing in multiple environments

user-study based control system


coded in JavaFX

hybrid event/game-loop architecture

infinite starfield animated background

scorekeeping + hi-score

unlimited waves of AI-driven enemies

That’s me

please get in touch

mailto:[email protected]?subject=I have a comment/compliment/job for you

iain carson design code - iamiain.co.ukiamiain.co.uk/media/files/isc2017.pdfproject samples 2017...

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