Tangible interaction · Physical computing
Disturbia
An interactive installation that lets visitors disturb a stable pulse through playable strings, glitching sound and responsive light.
- My role
- Interaction design & fabrication
- Duration
- Five intensive weeks
- Tools
- Arduino, 3D printing & craft
- Context
- UiO · IN5120 · 2026
01 · The concept
Disturbing a stable rhythm
The exhibition theme was pulse. We interpreted it as the tension between calm repetition and disruption.
Inside a soft textile space, visitors encounter three strings. Playing them gradually transforms a peaceful soundscape and steady light into fragmented glitches. The installation makes the visitor responsible for disturbing the rhythm.
02 · The process
Five weeks of making
We moved from an abstract theme to a full-scale installation in five weeks.
Sketches and small prototypes helped us develop a simple three-string instrument. In parallel, we designed the interaction, programmed Arduino and LEDs, created custom 3D-printed components, sewed textiles and built the wooden structure.
- 01Three strings offered an immediate invitation to play.
- 02Sound and light needed to respond as one system.
- 03Rapid physical testing exposed issues drawings could not.
03 · The outcome
A pulse visitors could change
Disturbia was presented at the final exhibition to approximately 150 visitors.
The enclosed textile environment created an intimate encounter. Each pluck disturbed the installation’s calm state, adding glitches to the sound and light until the stable pulse became increasingly chaotic.
Next project