what is muse?


WHAT: The Muse headset allows users to have their brainwaves(eeg, alpha, beta, etc) read and be trained in calm meditation. The Muselab program provides this raw data, and projects a graph for users to view their brain activity.


THE GOAL: Using the Muse headset, Muselab, and processing, Waves will read the data from user brainwaves, and project how their mind responds to music and their surroundings.


the assignment


Create a project that is interactive (either in real-time, or previously generated by an interactive process) that exists in either a physical environment or on the web. If the project is web-based it cannot be a “traditional” website that conveys static information, it must be dynamic & generated by some means of “creative coding”



research

pinterest board

original ideas


Generative Art: Taking a picture of your face and redrawing it based on color and shape


Voice Detected Generative Art: creating different patterns and colors based on pitch and volume of voice


Brainwave Reader: Using the headband and brain activity, playing music in a headphone that correlates to how busy your mind might be, and provide facts to show on an ipad as it’s happening

the plan


For my final creative coding project, I will be creating a process that projects the user’s brain wave response to different music and sounds. The overall setup will include a computer, Muse brain wave headset, in-ear headphones with sanitary wipes, a white stand for the headset, a projector, and potentially two white sheets to create a private space for the experience. The user will enter the curtain room, and see a screen that explains what the experience is all about and how to get started. They will calibrate the headset with their brain as instructed, and place headphones in. They will select one of the many experiences without knowing what they hold. Once they click which one, a combination of music and sounds will begin playing in sequence. As it plays, the computer will be reading the brain waves and with p5, the screen will display information on what response their brain is having.

For example, if the music is heavy metal, the brain response will most likely be very active and possibly show stress or anger.

sketches






timeline:


Week 1: Sept 12-14-
Begin research for how Muse headset works and how to monitor/read results
Assign colors and emotions for each range of Muse results

Week 2: Sept 19-21
Have informational screens designed about emotions, and colors assigned
Research how to create code that reads the Muse

Week 3: Sept 26-28
Begin Code- specifically for changing images of information

Week 4: Oct 3-5
Code- specifically for changing colors on projector

Week 5: Oct 10-13
Testing!

Week 6: Oct 17
PROJECT DUE

content


Muselab was used to retrieve the alpha and beta waves data from the users brain to signal to Processing when to show each projected mood/brain activity. The following are what the users would see from beginning to end in the process.

gallery exhibition


Many users were able to come and experience Waves. They viewed their brain waves and watched as their responses would be projected on screen.