Fields

Fields is a visual representation of natural magnetic fields that lets the user experience this unseen world we live in.
Completed in 2019
Visual designer
Interaction designer
Developer
Solo project

Technology

Processing

Processing is an integrated development environment (IDE) for creative coding in the visual arts. It was used to build the user interface and create moving images in order to simulate the magnetic fields with complex mathematical formulas.

Java

Java is in the center of Processing. The IDE was built on top of this programming language. Different concepts of object-oriented programming were applied to make sure I have an efficient performance of the application.

Problem

Invisible
There are elements in the world that our human eyes cannot perceive. They are somehow invisible to our sight. How could we simply visualize these microscopic units of the natural world?

Sight can be sometimes working against us because human senses have limitations. They push us to find new ways to enhance our world. This project is an example of how could we propel the users into this invisible field of vision.

Challenge

Inspired by nature, this project started as a quest to find the true meaning of magnetic fields. The main challenge was to implement a visualization of a natural phenomena through computer programming and interaction.

In this case, I had to build a vocabulary that would solve the creative perception of invisibility with a technical approach with mathematical formulas and laws of physics. The formulas and laws were translated into code such that I would be able to create a feasible representation of magnetic fields.

How could I create a visualization that enhances the unseen world?

Solution

The solution to this problem is to visually represent magnetic fields since it can be a great way to confirm that this world is truly present around us where the formulas and laws of nature exist. Also, humans need to have a visual display, perceived by sight, in order to affirm that magnetic fields are part of our everyday life although we don't always see and feel them.

Result

At the start of the application, a set of particles are displayed in a grid shape. The user has the ability to select different options of magnetic control such as attraction, repulsion and rotation. There are many options of rotation where it gives different possibilities of manipulation. With these controls set for the user, the player is in charge of the visualization. It is possible to save an image and reset magnetic fields.

The user creates his own magnetic representation as he has full control of the whole display. Finally, he possesses the ability to break the laws of physics by choosing various options of magnetic movement. The visualization becomes an abstract representation of this unseen world that we are not able to see with human vision.

Functionality

This visual interface is an exploratory adventure. The primary mode of interaction is on a computer where the user has the opportunity to traverse this universe of invisibility.

The user can click, drag and move all the particles in space on the screen. He can also select potential rotations with keys Q W E A S D, attraction with key X, and repulsion with key Z.

To save an image of the visualization, the user can press key F. Keys C and V can be used to reset the magnetic field and hide the controls bar at the top of the interface.