A Sequence of Primitives

Programming has always been something I have been apprehensive to challenge until now. DES240 Designing with Data takes me through the basics and fundamentals of how to program animations to make looped GIFS so that we can bring our sketches to life. We use Processing 3 as our tool for this paper.

FINAL DESIGN

STATEMENT OF INTENT

A sustainable environment underlines the need to keep our freshwater rivers and waterways clean so that it is safe for us and other living beings to use. This animated image represents the pollution of rivers and waterways that our urban and farming areas produce. According to the Ministry of Environment and Stats NZ, around 95 to 99 per cent of NZ rivers running through urban and farming areas carry enough pollution that is above water quality guidelines (2020).

My animated image portrays an abstract design of pollution that visualises the effect on New Zealand streams and waterways. Using only primitive shapes and geometrics of black and white, the stream of black squares on the left are representations of ‘pollution. Such ‘pollution’ leaves its mark on ‘waterways’ which is the right side. The previously white space on the right is eventually blackened which is meant to convey contamination of our rivers. Only an amount of five per cent remains as a small square on the left. Squares of pollution continue, and this is to visualise that our waterways are still being polluted even now. I support the need to reduce pollution of our waterways to create better sustainable cities and communities.

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Process

For this assignment, we are required to get familiar with programming fundamentals and review the principles of abstraction, narrative and communicative design. We are made to choose a specific statistic to visualise as an animated GIF using programming

Aside from learning to program, the start of my design process began with research so that I could choose a relevant sustainability goal (an SDG). My SDG of interest was Goal 14, which highlights the need to conserve marine resources for sustainable development (United Nations, 2021).

I looked into various water statistics centring around New Zealand. For me, there was more interest in the statistics of our freshwater streams which still relates to SDG 14 since all our rivers and waterways eventually return to the ocean.

In particular, the 2020 Freshwater Summary published by the Ministry of Environment and Stats NZ report that "95 to 99% of NZ rivers running through urban and farming areas carry enough pollution that does not adhere to water quality guidelines." (Our Freshwater Summary, 2020).

Other research points conclude four major issues within our waterways (2020).

• Issue 1: Our native freshwater species and ecosystems are under threat

• Issue 2: Water is polluted in urban, farming, and forestry areas

• Issue 3: Changing water flows affect our freshwater

• Issue 4: Climate change is affecting freshwater in Aotearoa New Zealand

Extracts from my Miro Board.

Following that, I was able to start sketching and ideating my idea. I had chosen two storyboards to try and programme because it was a chance to learn how to execute different animation sequences.

Between the two ideas, I seriously considered which was a better option as my final through asking my peers and gathering feedback. Here are the two animated GIFS. The one on the right is a prior iteration than my final GIF.

Here are the snippets of how I considered my final chosen one from my Miro Board.

After knowing my final idea, I tweaked the number of recorded frames so that it fits better with the idea I wished to convey. I also revalidated the brief of this assignment, and lastly wrote my statement of intent.

Here is the code of my work.

With all this work, I conclude this assignment. It was fun learning to program and I believe I will continue to use it within my design work given how surprising enjoyable it turned out to learn. I have had some frustrating times figuring things out however, my peers are especially happy to help out which I am extremely thankful for.

Complete Miro Board

References:

United Nations. (2021). Goal 14 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal14

Ministry of Environment & Stats NZ. (2020, April). Our Freshwater 2020 Summary. https://environment.govt.nz/assets/Publications/Files/our-freshwater-2020-summary.pdf

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