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Interactive Word Wall

Engaging gallery attendees with poetry through technology, fabrication, and physical interaction

Interactive Word Wall

The Word Wall combines illuminated words, physical buttons, custom electronics, and audience interaction.

The Word Wall is a large interactive electronic art piece that invites people to create poetic sequences by pressing illuminated words.

The project combined interaction design, electronics, industrial fabrication, physical prototyping, and audience engagement. It used a 6' x 6' aluminum front panel, waterjet-cut words, custom spring-mounted buttons, LED lighting, wiring, and computer-controlled playback.

Project details

Project type
Interactive installation
Focus
Creative technology, physical interaction, electronic art
Materials
Aluminum, plexiglass, LEDs, switches, wiring, custom hardware
Role
Concept, design, fabrication, electronics coordination, installation

/ 01

Challenge

The goal was to turn a grid-controller-inspired concept into a large interactive art object that could engage people at events and gallery-like settings.

Key challenges included:

  • Designing a physical interface that people would understand quickly.
  • Creating 128 individual word buttons.
  • Making the piece durable enough for repeated public interaction.
  • Learning fabrication and electronics processes during the project.
  • Managing scope, manual labor, transport, wiring, and installation.
  • Turning poetry, light, and physical interaction into a coherent experience.
An early lit view of the Word Wall showing the scale, lettering, and physical button layout.

An early lit view of the Word Wall showing the scale, lettering, and physical button layout.

/ 02

Role

I conceived the project and led the design and fabrication process.

My work included:

  • Developing the concept and interaction model.
  • Creating the 128-word list and front panel layout.
  • Editing the stencil lettering for durability and readability.
  • Researching and sourcing components.
  • Designing and refining the button mechanism.
  • Coordinating soldering and LED assembly sessions with volunteers.
  • Working through wiring, fabrication, and installation details.
  • Presenting and installing the piece at events.

/ 03

Approach

Designed the word system

The front panel required 128 words that could evoke a Pacific Northwest theme and combine into poetic sequences. I tested word combinations by physically arranging printed words into phrases and sentence-like structures, then refined the list based on how well the words worked together.

A 3D planning view helped define the structure, scale, and physical layout before fabrication.

A 3D planning view helped define the structure, scale, and physical layout before fabrication.

Designed for interaction

The interaction needed to be obvious and satisfying. Each word became a physical button, with a spring-mounted plexiglass panel behind the aluminum face. Pressing a word triggered a switch and activated the system.

Testing helped validate how the illuminated words would feel when pressed and viewed up close.

Testing helped validate how the illuminated words would feel when pressed and viewed up close.

Solved fabrication constraints

The aluminum panel was cut with an industrial waterjet process. The lettering needed to use a stencil-style font so internal letter shapes could remain attached. I modified the font for durability, consistency, and safer physical interaction.

Built custom lighting

Each word was lit from behind using LED strips and custom soldered assemblies. Because word lengths varied, the lighting system required custom solutions for different word sizes while keeping the power requirements consistent.

LED lighting tests helped determine how to create an even glow behind words of different sizes.

LED lighting tests helped determine how to create an even glow behind words of different sizes.

Learned through making

The project involved many unfamiliar processes, including industrial cutting, electronics, custom button design, soldering, wiring, and transport planning. Each stage required practical problem solving and adaptation.

The electronics and wiring required custom solutions because the word layout was intentionally irregular rather than a standard button grid.

The electronics and wiring required custom solutions because the word layout was intentionally irregular rather than a standard button grid.

/ 04

Outcome

The Word Wall was partially funded by Ignition Northwest and installed as a work-in-progress at Critical Massive. Additional support came from a Seattle artist brunch series.

The finished piece became a large interactive poetry machine. People could press illuminated words, enter sequences, and watch the wall play them back in changing combinations. The piece was especially engaging for both children and adults because it combined language, light, physical interaction, and play.

What this shows

This project shows the ability to design and build complex interactive systems that cross software, hardware, physical fabrication, user experience, and creative technology.

It is especially relevant to projects involving public interaction, experimental interfaces, creative technology, and technology enablement for artists or experiential teams.

Need help with an interactive, technical, or creative technology project?

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