Form Generator

Description

Random Vision, 2020

Click mouse within the canvas to change iris color. Move mouse around the canvas to open or close eye.

Design Process

Similar to last week's assignment, the process of creating this eye was additive. I began with the gesture of an eye opening and closing, a flinch, a wink. How could multiple micro-expressions with a single eye be created with random() and user-defined variables? I wanted the simplicity of the forms to convey complex expressions. I played with bezier() to create the almond-shape for the whites of the eye. On top of that, I made a circular iris, pupil, and small highlight to give dimensionality. The idea to use mousePressed() as a tactic for changing the iris color added the dynamic element this sketch needed. The eyelids are made with rectangles (that are the same color as the background) controlled by mouseX, mouseY, inverse X, inverse Y variables. See process sketch below:

Reflection

This assignment was very rewarding to problem-solve and create. I already have notes on ways to improve the concept: (1) have the eyelid shape look more natural as the lids close and open (ie. incorporate curve shapes instead of straight rectangle forms), (2) perhaps have the iris/pupil follow the mouse, (3) perhaps introduce eyelashes or an eyebrow? On a technical level, I am used to working with positive shapes in an additive fashion. How can I work with negative space in shapes to create "windows" that frame underlying shapes in p5.js?