Author: Majid Ibrahim

Here is the link to the sketch: https://editor.p5js.org/mi1171/full/LaFF6Iny_

The prompt was to pick a topic and ask why? Then make something out of it. I started with why is the sky blue which lead me down a rabbit hole that led to the point of absurdity. However, I was still clueless on how to actually make something out of this ridiculous line of questioning, after a bit of thinking, I decided to zoom out a bit to think of the bigger picture. It struck me that I could make the whole line of questioning a part of the thing I was going to make. So I naturally ended up using p5js because it allows me to easily translate a thought in my head to an experience on the screen. I basically put all the line of questioning I thought of as a series of responses in p5js and I left 2 options that were identical – why? As the user picks either option the text starts shaking more to give the effect of the person answering getting more annoyed by the incessant questioning. It reaches a point where the person answering refuses to give an answer.

Here is my line of questioning:

The sky is blue.

1. Because of the way Earth’s atmosphere scatters sunlight.
2. Due to the composition of gases and particles present in the atmosphere.
3. Because of natural processes and human activities.
4. Because they interact with the environment and produce certain byproducts.
5. Because that’s just how things work in our complex world.
6. Because it’s a product of countless interactions and variables.
7. Because the universe is vast and diverse, leading to infinite possibilities.
8. Because it’s a cosmic mystery.
9. Because it’s beyond human comprehension.

I disagree with his point of keeping yourself open to other possibilities because of the competition. I believe that this line of thinking leads to insufficient time and effort spent honing your craft which would lead to worse results compared to if you had committed yourself fully in the beginning.

However, I appreciated hearing his strong views on art and expression. His unique descriptions of his albums and essays made me sense his passion. I was especially intrigued with his ongoing project which is perfume. I had never considered incorporating smell into a project, so seeing Markus thoroughly investigate and combine his personal passions into his professional work was interesting to me. 

I wanted to see the technical side of music creation,  however, he seemed to be more focused on the emotional/psychological side of creation in general which I also appreciated. Overall the visit was very thought-provoking and caused me to think about my big-picture motivator

My previous prompt was volcano so an alternative idea i got from that in the last class was eruption. I was thinking of how to make it more abstract, so I decided upon an eruption of ideas. As I reflected on this, a idea sparked in my mind — an eruption of ideas. I came to this idea as I wanted to delve into something more abstract, where the eruption wasn’t about molten lava but about the burst of thoughts and creativity within my mind. I got the visual inspiration while looking at the cover art of a book. I imagined a captivating image where my own head would erupt with a bunch of new ideas. 

To give the image depth and meaning, I decided to include the words “Lateral / vertical thinking.” These words held special meaning for me as they encompassed the concepts I had learned about the same day. 

I do not consider myself a creative person, but this passage gives me hope as it says that creativity can be developed and honed through intentional thinking techniques. The concept of lateral thinking as a deliberate and purposeful process resonates with me. 

Personally, I find that my default mode of thinking tends to be vertical, relying on logical reasoning and established patterns. While this mode has its merits in certain contexts, it can limit my ability to explore unconventional solutions and perspectives. The passage encourages me to be more mindful of when to switch to lateral thinking, recognizing situations that call for a more exploratory and imaginative approach.

This passage is a reminder to break free from the autopilot mode of thinking and to approach problems and challenges with intentionality. By setting the intention to engage in lateral thinking when needed, I can actively seek out alternative viewpoints, challenge assumptions, and restructure my patterns of thought.

Overall this passage shed light on the importance of “thinking about thinking” in which I would reflect on the way I structure my thoughts. Self-awareness is also a key factor as it is what makes a person able to even recognize what mode of thinking he is in so that he can adjust accordingly.

I totally agree with Kermit’s assertion that creativity is not limited to a small group of people but is inherent in everyone. It serves as a powerful reminder that everyone has the ability to express their individual thoughts and contribute to the creative process.

Kermit’s emphasis on taking creative risks and accepting failure as a stepping stone to growth resonates strongly with me. Fear of failure frequently prevents me from exploring new pathways and pursuing my ambitions. Alot of times I forget that failure is a necessary step to achieving success. Kermit’s words serve as a reminder that failure is an opportunity to learn and grow creatively, not a setback.

Another useful idea is the value of teamwork and friendship in nurturing creativity. Kermit’s example of the Muppets collaborating and harnessing their different talents emphasizes the notion that teamwork drives innovation. It reminds me of the power of collaboration, in which varied perspectives and skills join together to produce something larger than the sum of their parts.

Finally, Kermit’s thoughts on creating have changed my perspective and made me see failure as a catalyst for progress, and see the need of teamwork in the creative process.

I was given the prompt “volcano” for this assignment, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to use my p5.js skills which I recently learned in Intro to IM. I was wanted to create something captivating and interactive that would capture the essence of a volcano before and after eruption.

Here is the p5js sketch: https://editor.p5js.org/mi1171/sketches/hqOXWvveD

I wanted to make it more than just a static visual representation, so I came up with the idea of turning it into a mini-game. I decided to make the progress of the eruption increase when the spacebar was pressed. It added an element of excitement and challenge to the experience. Then I generated 3 images of a volcano using midjourney. The first being in a dormant state, second with smoke coming out of the hole of the volcano and third of it fully erupting.

I carefully positioned the volcano images to depict the different stages of the eruption. I wanted users to feel the build-up and intensity as they progressed towards the eruption. And to spice things up, I implemented a screen-shaking effect whenever the spacebar was pressed.

To make it slightly replayable, I incorporated a timer that would start as soon as the first key was pressed. This way, users could track their progress and see how quickly they could make the volcano erupt. It added a sense of urgency and competition to the game.

All in all, it was an exciting creative process. I was able to apply my p5.js skills, brainstorm ideas to make it interactive, and bring the concept of a volcano eruption to life.