Neil Merry

My final year project combines two of my biggest passions: - music and creative technologies. 'Plug & Play' is a portable toolkit that translates on-stage gestures and actions into sound and lighting effects. Traditionally, digitally produced music requires the performer to hunch behind a laptop, synthesiser or drum machine pushing buttons and twiddling knobs. My design bridges this gap between the static production of digital sounds and the front-of-stage energy created by live amplified instruments. By focusing on artists that cross the boundary of music producer, DJ and live band, 'Plug & Play' transforms a microphone stand into a dynamic 3D music controller, a maraca into a heavy bass line or a raised hand into a pulsating synth wave.

'Sense' is a project for my Gran who is affected by short-term memory loss as a result of dementia. I identified difficulties within my Gran's weekly routine that could be improved through increased communication within her care network. My design is a system of subtle and uncomplicated connected devices that register activity within the domestic environment. These provide visual reminders to my Gran that trigger activity, while also communicating a well-being value to family and carers. By integrating with familiar and understandable domestic products, 'Sense' requires no learning of new behaviours, yet it helps those with memory difficulties to regain independence, dignity and control of everyday tasks.