Hi Fi Lo Fi Wi Fi is my MFA thesis from 2011: an exploration of sound-reactive images, technology, and interaction, built from a series of interconnected analog and digital MIDI controllers driving repeating shapes and color.
The only reason I was designing at all was because my musician friends needed posters. Nothing fancy, nothing too complicated, just something pretty and informative that would get noticed. For many years in my professional work, I had veered away from music-based projects. The thesis was my return, and a chance to see how my design work fits in the world of sound beyond pretty posters.
Sound exploration began with research into digital and analog synthesizers. The wide range of technology used for synthesizers inspired the name of the project. Familiar controllers like a piano keyboard and a drum machine were selected and paired with a handful of minimal sounds to drive the audio and visual responses.
Image exploration started from sound wave principles, looking for basic forms to describe rhythm and movement. I limited my color palette and used only simple, two-dimensional geometric shapes. From there I expanded the color range through overprinting and blending, drawing close analogies between sound and image mixing. I rotated the images and translated them into three-dimensional space. Finally, I connected the shapes to sound, enabling their mobilization through interaction with the controllers.
The exhibition also included a series of sound-reactive images displayed as individual pieces on vintage Apple iMacs.
“My training as an engineer has enabled me to design the stuff, but the reason I do it is not to make music, but for the opportunity to work with musicians.”
Bob Moog, inventor of the Moog synthesizer
