It's been a fun ride. I hope you enjoyed following my blog as much as I did working here at RIT.
Thanks for reading! And to the future interns reading this, I hope you enjoy yourselves as I much as I did.
- Ian Gooding
Friday, August 23, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Day 34: The Final Countdown
Today I helped the Insight Lab do a demo of our projects to some freshman students.
The highlight for today was having all the interns practice and review our presentations. Mine was met with minimal criticism and some possible ideas for expansion, which I did throughout the day. Now that we've done a practice session, I'm feeling even more confident going into tomorrow, although it's a little sad to see this whole thing coming to a close.
Regardless, hope to see you tomorrow.
The highlight for today was having all the interns practice and review our presentations. Mine was met with minimal criticism and some possible ideas for expansion, which I did throughout the day. Now that we've done a practice session, I'm feeling even more confident going into tomorrow, although it's a little sad to see this whole thing coming to a close.
Regardless, hope to see you tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Day 33: Approaching The End
After finishing up my presentation for our dry-runs tomorrow, I had some time to do a few other things.
Below was just for fun. Abstract. Reminds me of fractal geometry in some ways.
And here's the sign you'll be seeing if you come to watch our presentations this Friday. Hope to see you there.
- I made a sign for the presentations
- Did some art in my freetime
- The interns decided to do a gift exchange and I was given a sketch notebook and some graphite pencils. Hopefully this will push me to do more art of paper in my free time...
First to present tomorrow, hope it goes well! I've got a good Powerpoint and have summarized everything I need to say. Now it's just the execution.
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This may look bad, but I intentionally did this. I converted a .png (image) into a .txt (text) file and ran it through Wordpress, and re-saved it as a image. Makes cool glitch images.
Below was just for fun. Abstract. Reminds me of fractal geometry in some ways.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Day 32: Manual Labor Proves Inescapable
Today I got to talk with my adviser about finishing up my work and my presentation, but the majority of the day was spent doing more labor.
John and I (as well as a few other interns here and there) had to move everything from one room down two floors to a new one. There was an unbelievable amount of furniture, electronics, and crap in general. This took from about 10:30 to 5:00, although we took a 30 min pizza break for lunch.
I'm really tired right now, but I'm looking to make sure everything is ready for Friday.
John and I (as well as a few other interns here and there) had to move everything from one room down two floors to a new one. There was an unbelievable amount of furniture, electronics, and crap in general. This took from about 10:30 to 5:00, although we took a 30 min pizza break for lunch.
I'm really tired right now, but I'm looking to make sure everything is ready for Friday.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Day 31: Nearing Completion
Today I spent all my time finishing up my PowerPoint that I'll be presenting this Friday at 9:00. Apparently I'm going to be the first intern to present, but I don't really feel nervous about it.
So far I'm really happy with the PowerPoint, I just need to practice my speech a bit and get the timing worked out.
So far I'm really happy with the PowerPoint, I just need to practice my speech a bit and get the timing worked out.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Day 30: Presentation Work Continues
Repeat of yesterday. Final BBQ. Nothing much to say today, enjoy some more pictures.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Day 29: Presentation Work
Besides doing a little more experimenting with the Leap Motion, I began serious work on my final presentation today. I'm currently debating to go classic bullet-point style or spending the time to make cleaner, unique slides and prepare a little more. I'm feeling the latter.
Here's two quick paintings I did using Leap Motion (never used a mouse!):
And here's an example slide:
Here's two quick paintings I did using Leap Motion (never used a mouse!):
And here's an example slide:
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Day 28: Review and Enhancements
Jake had a chance to look over my guides and make some suggestions as to what I should change. I spent most of the day altering my guides and making changes to my abstract. On top of this I continued to experiment with the Leap Motion.
I've also begun work on my final presentation, which is going to be presented next Friday, on my Birthday.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Day 27: A New Toy
Today was a short day for me. After checking in with my adviser about my work, he said he'll look over it and get some information that was missing.
However, he gave a new toy and just told me to experiment with it and see what it could be used for. It's called the Leap Motion and is a device compatible with computers via USB that recognizes hand motions. Much like a Kinect, except more vertical. Search it on the web to find some demo videos if you want to know more about it. It's quite fun to play with and hopefully I can find some use(s) for it.
However, he gave a new toy and just told me to experiment with it and see what it could be used for. It's called the Leap Motion and is a device compatible with computers via USB that recognizes hand motions. Much like a Kinect, except more vertical. Search it on the web to find some demo videos if you want to know more about it. It's quite fun to play with and hopefully I can find some use(s) for it.
Day 26: Observatory Visit
Today I finished some more work, making some pictures and renders with humans in them so they'd have a scale for people to understand how large they are. Apparently I was the only one doing actual work yesterday, according to the rest of the interns.
The highlight however was the visit to the Mees Observatory. I'd been to observatory in Ionia before so this wasn't all that new to me, but it was still as enjoyable as ever. Before we went out, we had a little introductory presentation or "quiz". I was happy I knew all the answers to the astronomy and space related questions. I didn't know much about Star Trek though.
When we got up there we were greeted not only with a clear sky but a meteor shower as well. The Perseid Meteor Shower is an annual event that occurs near this time of year. I usually keep track of these events, but for some this was a new delight. Using binoculars we could see various constellations, Polaris, and many other objects. In the telescope we observed some globular clusters, galaxies, nebulae, and other celestial bodies. The only things new to me were the globular clusters and a constellation known as "the coat hanger", but many hadn't seen any of this before, so they were even more entertained than I was. I didn't take any pictures during this visit, but oh well.
However, I do have pictures of my work:
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The highlight however was the visit to the Mees Observatory. I'd been to observatory in Ionia before so this wasn't all that new to me, but it was still as enjoyable as ever. Before we went out, we had a little introductory presentation or "quiz". I was happy I knew all the answers to the astronomy and space related questions. I didn't know much about Star Trek though.
When we got up there we were greeted not only with a clear sky but a meteor shower as well. The Perseid Meteor Shower is an annual event that occurs near this time of year. I usually keep track of these events, but for some this was a new delight. Using binoculars we could see various constellations, Polaris, and many other objects. In the telescope we observed some globular clusters, galaxies, nebulae, and other celestial bodies. The only things new to me were the globular clusters and a constellation known as "the coat hanger", but many hadn't seen any of this before, so they were even more entertained than I was. I didn't take any pictures during this visit, but oh well.
However, I do have pictures of my work:
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Friday, August 9, 2013
Day 25: Waiting for Direction
Today I mostly sat around and discussed some things with the other interns while cleaning up my work.
Speaking of cleaning, I helped out the remaining undergrads clean the insight labs out. I found that nearly all the people in my lab are gone now, so I don't know what'll happen these last two weeks. I just hope it's not a waiting game.
And sorry, no pictures today.
Speaking of cleaning, I helped out the remaining undergrads clean the insight labs out. I found that nearly all the people in my lab are gone now, so I don't know what'll happen these last two weeks. I just hope it's not a waiting game.
And sorry, no pictures today.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Day 23: Finishing Up
Today I can say I'm just about done with my work. I need to now talk to project managers and leads to have them look over my work and add anything they need to. A woman also stopped by that writes for local newsletters focused on educational activity and schools. She talked to me about the work I have been doing and the program in general.
On top of this, the Summer Series today was very enjoyable, especially compared to the previous weeks. One talk was about the inception of Google Maps and investing during poor economic times. The second was about rejection and the associated emotions with it.
Third was about classical music and how it's treated. This was interesting given that I hear classical music a lot but have never gotten into it despite being a huge listener to most other genres of music, especially electronic music.
The last speaker talked about how people tend to not speak up when they see issues because they don't want the inconvenience of fixing it, feel it's "too big" to fix, or feel like they'd become an outcast. I see this problem of willful ignorance and societal pressure all the time, and there's nothing that angers me more. It's a problem that allows an enormous amount of very common and often serious/harmful issues to be ignored out of ignorance, fear, and laziness.
...Anyways, I'm taking a day off tomorrow to take care of some other objectives but hopefully I can enter the final stage(s) of my work on Friday.
On top of this, the Summer Series today was very enjoyable, especially compared to the previous weeks. One talk was about the inception of Google Maps and investing during poor economic times. The second was about rejection and the associated emotions with it.
Third was about classical music and how it's treated. This was interesting given that I hear classical music a lot but have never gotten into it despite being a huge listener to most other genres of music, especially electronic music.
The last speaker talked about how people tend to not speak up when they see issues because they don't want the inconvenience of fixing it, feel it's "too big" to fix, or feel like they'd become an outcast. I see this problem of willful ignorance and societal pressure all the time, and there's nothing that angers me more. It's a problem that allows an enormous amount of very common and often serious/harmful issues to be ignored out of ignorance, fear, and laziness.
...Anyways, I'm taking a day off tomorrow to take care of some other objectives but hopefully I can enter the final stage(s) of my work on Friday.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Day 22: Other Events
Today I continued work on my guides and models and I'm nearly done. I need to talk to the other guys to help check them over, add/change/remove things, and to find out who's been involved in the project to give them credit. Once this is done, I'll figure out how to get them on the webpage. After that, I'll have the other interns rate the guides/models for me.
I also did another eye test for Mia (http://miavyso.blogspot.com/) and Simran (http://visualperceptionrit.blogspot.com/) that was quick and simple but a little...odd. I also did a usability study for the SET projects, even though I'm involved in the process.
I also did another eye test for Mia (http://miavyso.blogspot.com/) and Simran (http://visualperceptionrit.blogspot.com/) that was quick and simple but a little...odd. I also did a usability study for the SET projects, even though I'm involved in the process.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Day 21: A Talk Among the Work
Today was another standard day of writing and rendering for me. I got more work on my guides and models done and more or less finished my outline, which to be honest is very mediocre in comparison to my abstract.
The highlight of the day was getting to talk to an image scientist who works with NASA. He got his degree right here at RIT too. He described how he uses images to calculate trajectories, measure damage, and anything else you could want to know. He also talked about the correction of lens distortion, which was cool. I was happy when he was asked the question along the lines of "What are some good skills going into the field of astronomical engineering and analysis" and responded with "CAD experience, mathematical skills, and camera/photography knowledge" That's at least 2/3 for me!
Below is yet another thing I do for fun. I draw sketches in my off time, usually with a pencil, but I sometimes do them digitally. This is something done in a flash game and consists of ~7,000 lines drawn individually with a mouse. At this rate I'm going to get carpal tunnel syndrome by the time I'm 18...
The highlight of the day was getting to talk to an image scientist who works with NASA. He got his degree right here at RIT too. He described how he uses images to calculate trajectories, measure damage, and anything else you could want to know. He also talked about the correction of lens distortion, which was cool. I was happy when he was asked the question along the lines of "What are some good skills going into the field of astronomical engineering and analysis" and responded with "CAD experience, mathematical skills, and camera/photography knowledge" That's at least 2/3 for me!
Below is yet another thing I do for fun. I draw sketches in my off time, usually with a pencil, but I sometimes do them digitally. This is something done in a flash game and consists of ~7,000 lines drawn individually with a mouse. At this rate I'm going to get carpal tunnel syndrome by the time I'm 18...
Friday, August 2, 2013
Day 20: Slow but Steady
Today I focused on my guides and so far they're looking alright. I was not able to attend the undergraduate research symposium that occurred today, but it seems the multi-camera interns did a good job with their presentation.
Work was definitely slow today, but I got through some albums I've been meaning to listen to whilst doing my work. Nice and relaxing way to end the week. I'm planning to start my presentation outline next week alongside the work I have left to complete. More pictures below.
Work was definitely slow today, but I got through some albums I've been meaning to listen to whilst doing my work. Nice and relaxing way to end the week. I'm planning to start my presentation outline next week alongside the work I have left to complete. More pictures below.
Day 19: Work Continues
Today I kept working on placing my models in different locations and arrangements. I didn't work much on the guides though.
The talk today was about visual differences in deaf people, specifically young children. As expected, the deaf children had stronger vision and were apt to pay attention to sign language users rather than words. There was more to the data than just that, but I can't recall all the details.
Something fun also happened during our break. I may have hooked Maura (http://stranded-among-the-stars.tumblr.com/) on a physics puzzle game I play. Perhaps it wasn't the best thing to show her at work...
Anyways, here's some renders:
The talk today was about visual differences in deaf people, specifically young children. As expected, the deaf children had stronger vision and were apt to pay attention to sign language users rather than words. There was more to the data than just that, but I can't recall all the details.
Something fun also happened during our break. I may have hooked Maura (http://stranded-among-the-stars.tumblr.com/) on a physics puzzle game I play. Perhaps it wasn't the best thing to show her at work...
Anyways, here's some renders:
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