Course Description

Class Journal

 
   

Class Roster

 
    2/1 Week 1: What Is Exercise?

 
    2/8 Week 2: The Physical Intelligence Model

 
    2/15 Week 3: Visual and Kinesthetic Perception

 
    2/22   Monday Schedule: no class

 
    3/1 Week 4: Physical Thinking

 
    3/8 Week 5: Orientation Strategies: Balancing

 
    3/15 Week 6: Learning Movement

 
    3/22   Spring Break

 
    3/29 Week 7: Designing Physical Intelligence

 
    4/5 Week 8: E-motion

 
    4/12 Week 9: Applying Physical Intelligence

 
    4/19  

Patriot's Day Holiday: No Class

 
    4/26 Week 10: Complex Coordination: Walking

 
    5/3 Week 11: Z-Center Lobby Exhibition Set-Up

 
    5/12 Week 12:

Overview

 

Class

Week 3: Visual and Kinesthetic Perception

 

LAB

Subjective and Objective Experiences of the Body: Walking running, leaping, while blindfolded yields dramatic physical experiences.

 

SEMINAR

Review of preliminary project proposals: concept drawings of three exercise machines/devices designed to cultivate physical intelligence.

 

class summary Hobby Shop
We began with a tour of the Hobby Shop where much of the work on models and prototypes will be done. Among its resources are a water jet computerized lathe, full metal and woodworking facilities—as well as the expertise of Ken who offers particular assistance with the process of translating drawings and plans into realistic constructions.

A Look at Concept Drawings
Students presented concept drawings of 3 proposed exercise “machines” based on the physical intelligence concept. A reverse sit-up machine, a piston-activated balance floor, a wheelchair accessible pull-up/dip machine and an exercise environment in which lights and sounds would direct the user in a movement sequence were just a few examples of devices which illustrated some of the principles of making exercise physically intelligent:

-Giving the body a movement problem to solve
-Creating environments which challenge habitual movement
-Stimulating proprioception and balance
-Involving whole body coordination

Blindfold Exercise
Visual perception is often the dominant sense in guiding our movements.
The purpose of this exercise was to compare the visual image of movement with the kinesthetic experience of it, both to amplify the felt sense of movement which is usually subordinate to visual perception, and to offer a new angle on design: from how the design might look to how it might feel to use it.

Students were asked to draw a picture of themselves in motion—running, jumping, etc. They were then blindfolded and asked to walk, run, leap, spin.
Still blindfolded, they drew the felt sense of their movement. The drawings were radically different: instead of stick figures and frame by frame images, the body as we know it disappears: the experience of movement is expressed in spirals, directions-in-space, being in many places at once— a whole system in motion.

Meeting with Alex
A brief discussion of what is required in the thesis proposals due next Tuesday, February 22. Include several drawings as well as an explanation of why you are choosing the one (or combination) you have decided upon.
The concept drawings were considered from the point of view of feasibility. Students will meet individually with Alex, Noah and Aline next Tuesday.

 

Resources

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Assignment

3-d mock-up of best concept from Week 2’s assignment