BradPhillips.org

“House” is a final project completed in the Fall semester of 2006 at the University of Illinois: Chicago for the AD405 ‘Smart Art’ class.  Performing music, for me, is about the connection I have to the people around me.  This project is my first step in trying to blur the boundaries of audience and performer.  I utilized PD-Gem to create a program that would manipulate audio based on the movement of an audience.

The program utilizes a digital camera to manipulate audio based on changes in pixel colors.

“Music and Memory” is a flash-based project completed during my undergraduate studies at UIC. In the project I was investigating my ties to the past and how they made me whoI am today. I am generally fearful of the present wondering if I will look back at today years from now regretting decisions I made or how I acted. When I was heavy into undergraduate work in Chicago, I found myself commenting on experiences I had during high school. I found it amazing that I was in this incredible city, and the past seemed to have the most impact on my work.

I consider this project an emotional culmination of all of that thought. During the last week of finals, I took a train back to my home town, and I brought a video camera with me. I went back to places I remembered that meant something to me, and I made note of songs I listen to that reminded me of those places.

“Music and Memory” shaped up into a collection of memories laid out like a set of piano keys. Once you click on the link, you can move your mouse to the left or right of the keys to pan in either direction. You’ll see little sections of videos playing, and when you click on a key, the memory will expand, revealing the full video and the song I associate with that place.

Each song and each place hold very special places in my past, and it’s still emotional for me to look at. Much is left to interpretation, so, while this is a very personal project for me, I hope others can interact and find meaning from their own experiences. Click the link below, allowing a few moments for the content to load, and interact with “Music and Memory.”

Music and Memory

(Must have a version of Adobe Flash Player to view content)

This is a detailed character model self portrait that will serve as an avatar in a real-time 3D concept I’m currently developing that is based on the idea of exploring memory.  The base model was completed using Maya and the detail was sculpted and painted using Zbrush 3.1.

Design updates and real-time demos will follow shortly, so check back often!

This is an example of my Flash work. It was completed during my 2nd year of college for Intermediate Computer Graphics. Photos were edited in Illustrator and Photoshop using masks and base textures.

Custom Flash Menu

Here are some further studies with masks and textures in illustrator and photoshop

This is the base polygon model done in maya.  Normal maps were created for the character in Zbrush, and this is what they look like when rendered in maya:

Thanks to digital tutors for the tips in zbrush.  Painted model to follow shortly.

This project was the culmination of all of my thoughts and experiences at the University of Illinois. While it wasn’t necessarily developed as a thesis, I began to think of it as such when I was finishing it up..It was shown at the Senior Show on a c-wall in full stereoscopic 3d.

The project is an interactive virtools project that plays like a first person videogame. I wanted to make the whole experience to be symbolic of my college experience..having a dream and finding out how to make it a reality..or even simply the search for what I love.

Here is a link to a few slides proposing the idea before it was developed

The person in control, using an xbox 360 controller with a typical first-person setup, started out in a dark and dingy hallway..no end in sight..only doors to the left and right.

The object is simple: Walk from the beginning to the end..the hallway takes around 5 minutes to walk straight to the end from the starting point..along the way, images fly at the user trying to turn them around and confuse them and sounds entice the user to open the doors along the way and investigate. If the user walks through the door, they’ve strayed from the path to their goal and are thrown in a purgatory of sorts..

They have to crawl their way back on track following sounds and visual cues to lead them in the right direction. Once close to the end of the hall, a white light indicates they’ve almost reached their goal. When they make it to the end of the hall, they’re transported to a colorful and serene landscape full of life..

After a few moments to walk around and take in the sights and sounds, the user is transported back to the beginning of the hall…once a dream is attained life doesn’t stand still…there are other dreams to follow…always a new path to tread.

Everything is going well on the game project.  Here are a few screen caps to show you all how it’s coming.  Expect a full World 1-1 demo to be posted shortly.

During the past few weeks, in between writing and recording demos for consideration on a full-length, I’ve begun a rather ambitious project which I hope will exercise all of my abilities in the art and new media realm.

I’ve begun testing a program I’ve been tweaking which I hope will result in a fully functional 3d representation of the original super mario bros. which appeared on the NES.  I’m doing everything myself (character modelling, sound effects/scoring, interface, game setup/scripting), so it may take some time, and it’s sure taking a ton of energy, but I’m really excited about the possibilities of developing on my own terms and making something that’s really stellar.

I’ll be updating the site with progress on the game…anything from character models to background design to complete level demos, so keep your eyes peeled for new music and progress reports.

If you like what you’ve heard in the music section, and you don’t live near enough to catch a show…or if you’d rather have a digital copy, pick one up right here!  Each song is $0.99, or you can grab all six songs for $5.00!

My initial release of original songs is now available for purchase! Hard copies and digital copies are available. The EP contains six songs. You can hear them below:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

If you’d like a CD or digital copy, just send an e-mail to brad@bradphillips.org