Last year we ran a series of workshops for autistic adults at venues across the South West and South Wales.  The idea was to experiment with different visual techniques like stop motion and cut-out animation, green-screen technology and motion sensor software to allow the participants to come up with their own creative work.  Here’s a short selection of clips:

Participants loved it – animation opened up new ways of expression and staff were amazed to see certain individuals engaging with such enthusiasm. We left animation kit at each venue and this is in high demand everywhere!

This picture was taken on a recent visit to Stallcombe House, where EXDX team member Dr. Chris Elphick gave the residents their very own iPad to use. He is pictured shaking hands with Chris Thistle, the general manager of Stallcombe. Having this iPad will enable the residents to continue to make the stop-motion videos, as seen on the ‘Film Workshops’ section of this website. In addition to this, residents will be able to explore the use of the Somantics and ReacTickles apps we have also started to use in our more recent workshops. Dr. Elphick is looking forward to attending the Stallcombe Christmas party on Sunday the 11th of December.

The workshopteam introducing the residents to model making and stop motion

St Mark’s House in Newport, Gwent was the next destination for our workshops, this time with the National Autistic Society group who meet there regularly. We had the regular plasticine table that proved as popular as ever with carers and clients alike. It’s really nice and social just to roll dough and chat. Before long, hey presto, you have something you can animate on the Ipad using the I Stop Motion software.

Notice we’ve clamped the Ipads to the tables using a piece of wood and g–clamps, this saves damaging the table and keeps them still and free of jolting and jogging.

We also had roving two Ipads that clients could take anywhere in the building and interact using the ReacTickles Magic and Somantics Software from Cardiff School of Art and Design and Cariad Interative. This amazing program allows the user to touch, gesture and use sound to create movement and reaction on the screen. We monitored the use from two laptops and recorded some of the sessions.

For a bigger more dynamic experience we used another Cardiff School of Art and Design and Cariad Interactive program, Somantics, and a projector, screen and Xbox 360 Kinect camera to capture physical movement. The set up was a real attraction, causing traffic jams as centre users passed by.

A big thank you to animators and facilitators Dominic Pitt, Sophie Marsh and Lizzie Watts for their excellent support throughout the workshop series.

This video is made using a program called ReacTickles, designed to encourage children to explore computers and interactive whiteboards in a relaxing, experimental manner. The most recent version of this programme is called ReacTickles Magic – which can be used as an iPad app or a computer program. Using a variety on inputs – such as pressing the iPad screen, using the computer mouse or keyboard, gesture and audio input – like clapping or making any sound chosen by the user, it is possible to produce the striking images in this demo video. The intention is to allow users to playfully discover the possibilities of an interactive system with no previous knowledge or experience of the technology. We plan on exploring the use of ReacTickles Magic in our next workshop.

Thanks to Wendy Keay-Bright for letting us demonstrate this software.