The Immersive Drawing Board (IDB) is a device that brings the sound of a person’s creative process to the foreground of their experience, while simultaneously pushing disruptive noise into the background. The immersive quality of the IDB has been achieved through careful consideration of the synesthetic properties of actions. When any action, like drawing, is being performed there are multiple sensory outputs that occur, all of which can be leveraged within a design. In this case through the amplification and output of an artists drawing sounds. These can be leveraged for the benefit of the artist by creating a feedback loop between the artist and his or her work.

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The latest iteration of the Immersive Drawing Board takes advantage of lightweight and easy to power fm transmitters and headphones. This provides artists with a greater freedom of movement.


While working with the National Institute of Art and Disability (NIAD) I observed many artists using earplugs and headphones to help minimize noise distraction, but some were still forced to avoid group situations due to their severe sensitivity.


A number of prototypes were created in response to the question, how might we help artists minimize distractions while maintaining focus on their art? This particular one was the first of many.


Additional prototypes were created in order to give participants a wider variety of options. This prototype included features like volume control, a multi-user option, and a higher fidelity sound.

 


Here an artist, who is often easily distracted, is so immersed in her own creative experience that she continues to work on an IDB, unaware that everyone else has packed up and gone outside to wait on the bus.


A number of artists began to use the IDBs as a kind of immersive collaboration device, which they used while making works of art together.


In response to the overwhelming enthusiasm, which the IDB prototypes have received from teachers, staff, and artists at NIAD, I am currently working with NIAD to put together a grant proposal for a permanent model that will take the form of an Immersive Drawing Table.