Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

With today's modern technology--LEDs, servomotors, motion sensors, speakers, and more--artwork can incorporate elements of light, sound, and motion for dramatic effects. Author and educator Simon Quellen Field has developed a primer for creative individuals looking for new ways to express themselves though electronically enhanced art. Following step-by-step examples of basic circuitry and programming, readers can develop the skills necessary to enhance their works of art. The book also features art projects to try, including a bouquet of glowing flowers, an LED metronome, a talking computer, a sensile robot, and a simple wheeled robot. A variety of artistic works created by Field's students and based on these open-ended lessons are also included to provide creative sparks for the readers. For those interested in programming their circuits, Field explores the basics of Energia, a free software package, and provides simple programs to create flashing light patterns, computer controlled motors, and LCD text displays.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction (p. 1)
• 1 Creating Light (p. 3)
• Color Codes (p. 13)
• Project: Electric Flowers (p. 15)
• 2 Controlling Electrical Current (p. 21)
• How Bright Is That? (p. 27)
• Resistors in Parallel (p. 29)
• 3 Flashing, Dimming, And Oscillating (p. 31)
• Project: Build a Slow Switch (p. 34)
• Project: Flashing LEDs with an Integrated Circuit (p. 38)
• Project: A More Efficient Light Dimmer (p. 45)
• 4 Creating Motion and Sound (p. 51)
• Project: Controlling a Servomotor (p. 54)
• Beeps and Squeaks (p. 57)
• 5 Computer-Controlled Leds (p. 59)
• Tools for Programming (p. 60)
• Your First Program (p. 64)
• Numbers and Constants (p. 65)
• Ports (p. 68)
• Patterns (p. 72)
• Dimming (p. 78)
• Controlling 120-Volt Lamps (p. 83)
• Project: Metronome (p. 87)
• Serial Control of U Dimmable LEDs (p. 88)
• Project: Randomly Twinkling LEDs (p. 92)
• 6 Computer-Controlled Motors (p. 97)
• More Power (p. 99)
• Controlling Servomotors (p. 104)
• Controlling Stepper Motors (p. 107)
• Project: Making Music with Your Computer (p. 114)
• Project: Making the Computer Speak (p. 117)
• 7 Sensing The World (p. 125)
• Using LEDs as Light Sensors (p. 128)
• Proximity Switch (p. 132)
• Sonar (p. 134)
• Piezoelectric Tap Sensor (p. 137)
• Project: Cecil, a Sessile Robot (p. 140)
• Project: Rover, a Simple Wheeled Robot (p. 142)
• 8 Communication (p. 145)
• Buttons (p. 146)
• An LCD Text Display (p. 149)
• Communicating Between a LaunchPad and Another MSP430 Chip (p. 153)
• Synchronous Communication (p. 159)
• Bluetooth (p. 164)
• Infrared (p. 168)
• 9 Programming (p. 177)
• Data Types (p. 178)
• Constants (p. 179)
• Assignment (p. 180)
• Expressions (p. 180)
• Control Flow (p. 183)
• Library Functions (p. 184)
• Slightly More Complex Issues (p. 184)
• Index (p. 191)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

This unusual guide might suit artists looking to introduce a new element or two to their pictures or sculptures. Field (Gonzo Gizmos; Why There's Antifreeze in Your Toothpaste) writes it for an audience that is educated in art but not necessarily in math, science, or engineering. Though the reader may need to do a bit of outside research to learn how to solder or to determine where to buy materials, the included projects and lessons do not require any prior knowledge of electronics, for the most part. The author does a solid job of breaking complex electronic processes down into simpler steps, explaining how and why things work along the way. Readers can learn how to control electric current; create light, making it flash or dim; produce motion and sound; control LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and motors with computers; and even build simple robots. VERDICT High school and college art students, crafts enthusiasts, and DIY makers all can find something to spark their interest here. (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.