Wall of Sound has been by far my favourite extended practice project to work on. After the initial idea of making print more accessible, enjoyable and less static, it was a while before I found the process to match the idea.
When I discovered the conductive ink, everything clicked into place and I ran with it. The end result is a small part of what the project can become, with a wall piece the ultimate goal. Despite this, the flat, painted keyboard is something enjoyable and accessible to all.
I had problems screen printing the typographic element of the keyboard. Working with a new material (the conductive ink) comes with its' challenges and I've learnt the hard way not to mix it together with binder! The screenprint test in the folder is as the keyboard should ideally look, but adding binder to the paint lowered the conductivity. On that note, the typographic element of the project is something I'm really pleased with. I created a useable typeface, deriving from the problem of making a typeface conductive in this context. I did multiple tests and settled on a dot matrix face which allows the electricity to pass between the dots.
As the project progressed, I felt the need to give it a space online. I created a simple website which displays the board in 'use' and also provides a space to let people get the typeface and share the project. I think this project has potential to be shared and so gave this option to send out a tweet with a link and a few words.
I'm really pleased with this project. It hits every part of the brief that I wrote and most importantly, anyone who has a go on the keyboard seems genuinely shocked and happy at a sensation which is quite alien. I aim to extend this project into a gallery space, making use of a larger scale wall and for the final pice to feature the typography, as is visible in the screen prints.
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