SPARK 皇毅
Performing Arts Technology & Arts
Spark studied performing arts technology at the University of Michigan since 2018 where he learned, researched, and created several projects that showcased knowledge and skills in this professional field.
Interactive Media Design
Tech: Arduino, Max, Circuits, Sensors.
3D printer. Illustrator, Indesign
Learned basic tools and techniques for physical computing. Researched how human interacts with digital systems and how those systems response to our behaviors. Simple electronic circuits, sensors, Arduino, microcontrollers, LED and LCD displays, and the interactive audiovisual programming environment Max are the main focus of this study Aside from this, I gain skills with sketching and developed the aesthetic to design interactive systems. which ultimately lead to my eyeglass midi controller.
Notable Projects: Prototype 4 (eyeglass music controller), The Dung (Audio Game designed based on Arduino and max)... check below!
Interactive Media Design
Interactive Media Design
Prototype 4 by Spark
THE DUNG
RGB Audio Visualizer
DotStar LEDs
Digital Sound Synthesis
Tech: Faust, Chuck, 8 channel speakers.
Programming for Musicians and Digital Artists, I learned various aspects of signal processing and digital sound synthesis in two audio programming languages: Faust and Chuck. In those programs, I get hands-on experience in additive and subtractive synthesis, physical modeling, and granular synthesis. In addition to these, I also did a laptop orchestra and live coding performances.
Digital Music Ensemble -
University of Michigan Museum of Art Collaboration
Tech: Ableton, Logic, FinalCut
In 2021 I took a course in Digital Music Ensemble -- which it addresses the merging pandemics (Race, Climate, COVID, Political Rife, and Division) by working with the Education Outreach Division of the University of Michigan Museum of Art. Out of 35 pieces, I decided to collaborate with Alain Mailland's Heather's Fragrance (first pic below) , a piece of art created by the wood-turning technique using heather roots as the material. Heather's Fragrance took 5 years to complete, which not only is impressive and inspired me to do something that uses the feedback technique to emphasize "the tiniest ripples can sometimes overcome the turbulent waves." (see the full piece in the second video)
I've stretched out the intro mumbling that further creates a more extended feedback feel, emphasizing the power of "ripples." I continually discover new samples, such as internally concerned topics, and develop further thoughts on how to represent my initial idea. I thought it would be interesting to record people speaking about their minor little hopes/dreams for this project and eventually turn all the sounds into a larger dimension that would hopefully represent our universe. We, humans, are so small, yet we are great living, but we are stupid at the same time. As Albert Einstein once said, "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the universe." Yet I think it might be good that we are stupid, so we could have hope that makes everything have its chance that resonates with the thinking of "a ripple can beat the wave."
GRAPHIC DESIGN & ART
Tech: Adobe Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Font design
Designed & created various art such as Tattoo design, Font Types, Logo/poster design, and website using Adobe Indesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. In 2022 once again got to collaborate with UMMA (University of Michigan Museum of Art) to showcase information about artist in little magazine.
Sound Record & Productions
Tech: Microphones, DSP, recording studio, synthesis, Protools, Logic, Ableton, RX7
To become an audio recording professional, one must first gain a functional understanding of the theory and practice of sound recording while having great critical listening skills. In addition, one must also know how to set up and operate a recording studio in which Spark has done many recordings throughout his life. He both recorded and electronic sound, and explored tons of microphones and synthesis techniques, signal flow, equalization, compression/limiting, expansion/gating, delay, reverb, and spatialization; to further develop critical listening skills.
As a zealous plug-in collector, Spark has collected over 200 sets of plug-ins (hardware and software) where he often gets scolded by his parents for this expansive hobby of his.
Electronic Chamber Music
Tech: Ableton, Performance tech(Autotune, synth controllers), DSP
Digital technologies have become integral to every step of the artmaking process, from creation to distribution. Electronic chamber music allows me to understand the various facets of media technologies and their role in the creative process. This will allow me to develop a deeper understanding of how they can use their skills to create a significant piece of work.
The video down below showcase the main theme of "Processing" where I belive that after joy, anger, grief, happiness, there are always countless troubles sums up the song and how I feel the word "processing." I believe that processing is a complicated term with multiple aspects, similar to living. It's like we've counter problems; we evolve from problems; we enjoy the process of solving problems. I do not feel that deep struggle from the term processing, but I do like this piece that helps me to illustrate how meaningful word processing is. In that case, we strive, evolve, breathe, and be reborn from processing.
ECM
Music & Sound design for Film
Tech: Logic, Adobe audition, Rx7
the various facets of music and sound in film. Through readings, discussions, and creative projects, I've developed a deeper understanding of how these elements can be utilized in the creative process. In addition, I learned all the necessary skills to make audio post-production and sound design in film possible.
Down below is one of my works that showcases the sound design skills I have. I created, edited, and recorded, most of the foley sounds and incorporated some samples bought on the internet for this project.
Flip Score by Spark
Advance Psychoacoustics
Tech: psychoacoustics, DSP, audio interface
I did research about the correlation between audio, visual and games. My research
the paper provides a general background of sensory illusion effects and a description of multisensory cues. With the knowledge provided, the paper will then examine how multisensory audio cues could affect gamers' experience and performance, how multisensory cues are used in different genres of games, and how multisensory illusion could disrupt emotions that further affect gaming. The experiment will specifically examine how delayed audio cues could affect RPG and rhythm games. The results yielded by the delayed audio signals significantly affect rhythm games that lower the players' performance, but it has minor effects on RPG games.
Down below are some experiences held to indicate such an effect. Which the first and second short videos give a sense of how I introduced a short delay by manipulating the usual DSP of TV using a hardware plugin.
Dance & Technology
Tech : choreography tech, lightning, Final Cut, Logic Pro,
DJI film equipments.
various forms of media, including interactive performance, experimental video, and social media, have let me learn the potential/possibilities of dance and technology Through the study of cultural and historical influences, I've gained the ability to be able to create and contextualize my dance technology projects which I filmed, composed music, edited, produced the film: "EVERYDAY...IS JUST ANOTHER DAY..."
I explored the various social, ecological, and political consequences of engaging with technology through readings which further influenced me as a creative thinker to consider the effects of technology on the world.
Besides, I learned how technology is already being used and integrated with racial, class, and gendered ideologies in different ways that contribute to the performance and production of human sexuality, class, and gender.
Dance & Technology
Dance & Technology
EVERYDAY...IS JUST ANOTHER DAY...
Project 1 : Experiments in Editing - Spark
Plain Day
Video Game Music
Tech: Logic, Ableton, Middleware(FMOD)
I compose orchestral epic music for League of Legends - Wild rift (Mobile game). I composed the entry/intro lobby music and the battle music when the player enters the game. (down below)
League of Legends is a game that correlates to epicness since all the characters are considered "legends." The entry/intro/lobby music of games are like movie trailers that need spiciness to lure people so I decided to compose a Hanz Zimmer, Ramin Djawadi type of orchestral music to bring out the epic feeling while drawing people into the game.
The Battle music in League of Legends is played during the 5v5 multiplayer gameplay which players are required to fully focus on the game until the match is done since it's an e-sport type of game that cannot be paused. With this in mind, I decided to go with minimalistic music while maintaining epic orchestral instrumentation. This minimalistic decision allows players to focus on the game while enjoying the piece without fatigue in listening. I used my entry/intro/lobby music melody as the main theme since games like "wild rift" and "arena of valor" use the same melody throughout the game, making it stuck in people's minds.
More to be added, expected update date: 12/13/2022, where there will be fully made gaming audio (composed music, foley, and implements effects on a single developing game) coming soon!
Video Game Music
Video Game Music
League of Legends - Wild rift entry/intro/lobby Music (PAT 305 VGM Final by Spark)
