Big Bloody Racket is a series of interactive objects which blend physical and digital sound creation.
This was my final year honour's project at DJCAD, from September 2023 to May 2024. The project was the Winner of the Ewan Steel award, and the first runner-up of the Scrap Antics sustainability award at the djcad degree show.
The project was selected by the Dundee Young People's Collective to be displayed in the Dundee V&A Museum in 2024.
the three drums of the collection
The collection consisted of four objects - three drums (circle, triangle square) and one 'Honker' below.
The Honker
when the object is squeezed, it activates electronics inside to play musical tones
Below is a section from my project statement:
in a world which often measures worth by money-making ability, many are dissuaded from pursuing activities purely for the sake of enjoyment. big bloody racket challenges this notion head-on - utilising an interactive museum space to create a playful group music experience.
the objects are designed to take the pressure away from the inherent performative nature of playing an instrument, and encourage child-like engagement with our surroundings.
taking advantage of the naturally experimental features present in physical instruments, and combining them with the varied outputs of digital music-making creates an environment that fosters experimentation and low-pressure music creation.
challenging conventional notions of music quality invites individuals to reconnect with the joy of simply making a big bloody racket.
the drums detect the vibration created by hitting the object, and play electronic noises through a speaker.
A good insight into the process of the work can be found on my Instagram page @honor.g.design
My 2 minute project video
exerts from interviews
low fidelity cardboard prototypes
full Project book flipthrough video
research to understand the attitudes of museum-goers
taking forward my museum research to propose a location for the work
