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MIT MEDIA LAB / OPERA OF THE FUTURE GROUP / CAMBRIDGE, MA / FEB-AUG 2021

Making music theory feel playful, not intimidating.

I built physical and web-based prototypes - squishable toys, Arduino pressure sensing, MIDI, and an interactive web app - that turned touch into music and music into an approachable learning experience.

THE EXPERIENCE, IN THREE LINES

Touch

Squishable toys with conductive materials, sensed by Arduino.

Sound

MIDI turned pressure and movement into musical feedback.

Learn

A JS/HTML/CSS web app made music theory hands-on.

WHAT I WORKED ON

Squishable musical toy prototype with conductive materials and Arduino sensingPHYSICAL PROTOTYPE

HARDWARE

Interactive musical toys

Squishable toys with conductive materials, read by Arduino, sending MIDI signals from touch.

  • Arduino
  • Conductive materials
  • MIDI
Interactive music-theory web app prototypeWEB APP

SOFTWARE

Music theory web app

JavaScript/HTML/CSS app pairing with the toys, teaching composition concepts through play.

  • JavaScript
  • HTML/CSS
  • User-centered design

STACK

HARDWARE

  • Arduino
  • Conductive materials

MUSIC TECH

  • MIDI
  • Musical feedback

WEB

  • JavaScript
  • HTML + CSS

DESIGN / RESEARCH

  • HCI
  • User-centered design

TAKEAWAYS

This gave me an early foundation in creative technology and user-centered prototyping - building systems that are functional, approachable, and enjoyable to use.