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→ Impulse_07 | Universal Project Template – Bertrand de Becque (Summit Montréal 2019)

For the 7th Impulse, I came across the TouchDesigner YouTube channel, found Bertrand de Becque’s talk about the Universal Project Template. It was fascinating to watch how he managed to achieve so much using TouchDesigner.

Seeing his workflow made me realize just how wide and flexible TouchDesigner is as a program. It’s exciting to think about all the possibilities, but it also reminded me that mastering such a tool takes a lot of time and practice :‘)

What stood out to me most was how he created a reusable template. Rather than starting from scratch with every new project, he built a structure that could be adapted for different purposes. This approach seemed so smart and efficient. It made me think about my own thesis and how valuable it would be if I could create something similar. For example, if I manage to design a template in TouchDesigner that I can use for visualizing how languages “look” or sound differently, it could save me so much time. It would allow me to focus on experimenting and refining the ideas instead of repeatedly building everything from the ground up.

It was also very interesting to see how organized and well-structured his work was. This level of preparation gave him the flexibility to adapt his template for various scenarios, and I realized how much planning can make a difference in any creative or technical process.

What I Learned

This talk taught me that creating templates is not only possible but also extremely helpful, especially when working on projects as complex as my thesis. It’s something I want to explore for myself, even though it might take time to figure out how to structure it properly. The way he approached TouchDesigner inspired me to think about my workflow and how I can improve it.

I also learned that TouchDesigner is a very broad and powerful tool, offering endless possibilities. This is both exciting and overwhelming because there’s so much to learn and explore. It made me realize that while I’m excited to use it for my thesis, I need to be patient and allow myself the time to become more familiar with it.

Conclusion

Overall, this talk was very motivating. It opened my eyes to new ways of working smarter, and it gave me ideas for making my thesis more efficient and creative.

→ Watch the Talk: Universal Project Template – Bertrand de Becque

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→ Impulse_06 | Tutorial (TouchDesigner)

For my sixth Impulse, I wanted to try something online. I was hoping to join a free TouchDesigner workshop, but I couldn’t find one that worked with my schedule. Instead, I decided to follow a tutorial to help me with the voice interaction I’m working on for my thesis.

I chose the Abstract Speech Visualisation tutorial by Bileam Tschepe (Elekktronaut). His explanations were easy to follow, and the way he set up the audio interaction was really inspiring. He broke everything down step by step, which made it much easier to understand, especially for someone like me who’s still learning.

I then followed the tutorial and recreated the patch in TouchDesigner. I played around with some of the parameters and experimented with the settings to see how small changes could affect the visuals. It was interesting to see how different audio inputs created various effects, and I had fun testing different combinations. Below is a recording of my experiment with the patch.

What I Learned

  • Audio Analysis in TouchDesigner – The tutorial showed how to break down audio into frequencies and amplitudes. This was very useful for understanding how sound can control visual elements.
  • Creating Dynamic Visuals: I learned how to use particle systems and shapes to make visuals that respond directly to sound.
  • Visualizing a language in a new way, like the Heptapod logograms, can make us question our usual way of thinking about communication.

Conclusion

So this tutorial helped me to practice TouchDesigner to create visuals that react to voice and sound better. Also, it is very important for my thesis, as I’m trying to visualize the unique characteristics of different languages.

→ Watch the Tutorial: Abstract Speech Visualisation by Bileam Tschepe
→ Learn more about TouchDesigner: TouchDesigner Official Website

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→ Impulse_05 | Movie (Arrival)

Since my thesis is about how languages can „look,“ I thought it would be a good idea to rewatch the movie Arrival. I saw it a few years ago, but now I wanted to focus on its connection to language and visualization. Even though the movie is about aliens, it has a deeper message about how language works and how it can change the way we think and understand the world.

What is Arrival about?

The movie is about a linguist named Louise Banks, who is asked to help communicate with aliens that have arrived on Earth. These aliens, called Heptapods, have a unique way of writing and speaking. Louise’s job is to figure out their language so humans can understand what they want. But the story is not just about aliens—it’s also about how learning a new language can affect your mind and even the way you see time.

Attention spoiler alert🚨 One of the most memorable scenes for me was when Louise communicates with the Heptapods by touching the screen. Their written language is shown as circular symbols called logograms. These symbols are not written in a straight line like most human languages. Instead, they are designed to show the full meaning all at once, without following a specific order which is very interesting.

Idea of a nonlinear language really made me think about how I could visualize the sounds and meanings of different languages in my thesis. I also learned the term „logogram,“ which I guess, I didn’t know before. Now I want to research more about how other writing systems work, especially ones that are very different from the alphabets we use every day.

What I Learned

  • The term logogram refers to symbols that represent a word or concept.
  • Language can shape how we think and even how we experience time, which connects to the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis.
  • Visualizing a language in a new way, like the Heptapod logograms, can make us question our usual way of thinking about communication.

Conclusion

Overall, I really enjoyed watching Arrival again with an observation eye through language. Also it was visually appealing! I would recommend this movie if you are interested in science-fictions and aliens as well 🙂

→ Watch the Trailer: Arrival – Official Trailer

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→ Impulse_04 | Technisches Museum Wien

On November 30th, Mert and I visited the Technisches Museum Wien. There were several exhibitions, and luckily, we found some that fit our thesis topics. I was especially interested in how they designed the different exhibitions with different themes using interactive screens and installations. Even though some of them looked old, they were still inspiring!

One artwork that stood out to me was from the Musical Instruments exhibition. It showcased creativity, craftsmanship, experimentation, tradition, and the unique sounds of different instruments. The exhibit had a microphone hanging from the ceiling that captured the sound of the instruments and turned it into visuals. This was a great example of real-time data visualization, which really caught my attention.

Another inspiring part was the Media Worlds exhibition, which explored the history of media and its impact on society. It covered everything from early communication tools like the post and telegraph to modern inventions like computers and the internet. I had the chance to closely examine how interfaces and ways of interaction have evolved over time. There were also some interactive games, which I really enjoyed.

Also, the Energiewende exhibition and some others had very good examples of data visualization, even though they were not interactive. These examples showed how complex data could be made easier to understand through simple, effective visual representations. It was a reminder of how powerful data visualization is in communicating ideas and information clearly and effectively.

What I Learned

The visit to the Technisches Museum Wien gave me some inspos into interactive design and data visualization. I thought again how combining sound and visuals can create an engaging, real-time experience, and how effective data visualization can make complex information more accessible. The exhibitions helped me to have an idea about how I can apply these concepts to my thesis.

Conclusion

Overall, the museum visit was very fun with Mert! We spent almost 4 hour there, it was tiring yet so interesting!! Luckily, we got inspired about our future thesis!

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→ Impulse_03 | Podcast (Visual Cast)

For my third impulse, I watched a podcast episode from Visual Cast featuring Jascha Suess, a very talented VJ who has worked on many projects with well-known DJs. I follow his work on Instagram, so I was curious to hear about the process and stories behind it.

Even though the podcast focused on VJing, it gave me new ideas for my own project about language visualizations. Jascha shared how he uses TouchDesigner to create visuals and build interactive systems. Hearing this made me realize again how powerful TouchDesigner is, and it inspired me to explore it even more.

About TouchDesigner

One thing that stood out to me was how Jascha builds entire UIs and patches in TouchDesigner. He talked about how flexible and creative the software is, which is something I’ve started to experience in my own experiments. It’s exciting to see someone use it at such a high level, and it motivates me to keep learning.

Jascha mentioned that he isn’t a programmer and doesn’t write much code, but he loves working with TouchDesigner’s node-based interface. He finds it easier and more intuitive than traditional coding, and he said it allows him to focus more on creativity. This made me feel more confident because I also don’t have strong coding skills, but I can still create complex systems using nodes.

What I Learned

While the podcast was about VJing, it gave me fresh ideas for visualizing languages. Jascha explained how he connects inputs like music or motion to create visuals that react in real-time. This made me think about how I could make my project more interactive. For example, instead of static visuals, I could create a setup where users speak into a microphone, and the visuals change based on the sounds of their voice.

He also talked about organizing projects into smaller steps. He starts with simple patches to test ideas and then builds on them. This approach feels very practical, and I plan to try it in my own workflow.

Conclusion

Watching this podcast helped me see new possibilities in my work. Jascha’s approach to using TouchDesigner is creative and inspiring, and I want to dive deeper into what the software can do. I also learned that even without coding expertise, it’s possible to create complex and meaningful projects by focusing on the tools and workflows that work best for me.

→ Link of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWsk_JaCiew&t=2s

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→ Impulse_02 | World Usability Congress

On 16&17th October, we attended the World Usability Congress 2024 as last year. While there were many interesting talks on UX/UI design, most didn’t connect directly with my thesis topic. However, one presentation stood out—Kent Eisenhuth’s „Lessons Learned From Our Accessibility-First Approach to Data Visualization.„ It gave me fresh ideas about how to approach data visualization, and I want to share some of the key points that can useful for me.

What I Learned

  1. Clarity Makes Data More Universal
    Kent emphasized the importance of making visualizations simple and clear. Overly detailed or complex charts make it harder for people to understand the message. This idea connects with my work on language visualization. If visualizing the sounds of words or sentences becomes too busy, it could lose its meaning.
  2. Accessible Visuals Help Everyone
    One takeaway that stuck with me was how accessibility benefits all users, not just those with disabilities. For example, using high-contrast colors, patterns, or clear text labels in data visualization makes it easier for everyone to interpret, even in situations like low light or small screens. I realized this applies to visualizing language sounds too—users should be able to understand the visuals without needing extra effort.
  3. Using Multiple Senses
    Kent talked about going beyond visuals by incorporating sound or touch into data visualizations. This reminded me of the potential for multisensory designs in my language visualization project. For example, visualizing how German or English sounds could include audio feedback to make the experience richer for users.
  4. Focus on the Message
    A big part of accessibility is focusing on what you’re trying to say with the data. Kent showed examples where the message was lost because of too much decoration or unnecessary details. For my work, this means focusing on the core idea: how different languages “look” when spoken, and not getting distracted by extra effects.

Conclusion

Kent Eisenhuth’s talk made me think about how important accessibility is in data visualization and how I can use it in my thesis. Visualizing language sounds in a way that’s clear and easy to understand is essential for making it useful to others. Overall, it was a very inspiring talk!

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→ Impulse_01 | Klanglicht

Klanglicht 2024 was both challenging and exciting for me. Having the chance to showcase two projects, I experienced some of the most rewarding but also stressful moments throughout the process. We presented Sonolux Speculative Future in the Young Masters exhibition with Mahtab Jafarzadeh Miandehi, Hannah Albrecht, Francisco Sylla, and David Laßlberger, and Langnicht as part of Spektrum. Klanglicht festival is such an inspiring event for me and my thesis, featuring installations that combine sound and visuals in creative ways.

SONOLUX SPECULATIVE FUTURE

© Max Kathan

For this project, we created a multi-sensory installation inspired by research into the acoustic ecology of the Hilmteich area in Graz. It explored how urbanization—like the construction of the LKH hospital—impacts this natural space. We imagined speculative futures for Hilmteich, showing two scenarios while reflecting on its current state. This installation was featured in the Young Masters exhibition at Schlossbergstollen.

David and I worked on audio-reactive visuals using TouchDesigner, which was a great way to practice my skills and showcase them in an exhibition. On top of that, we all worked together to construct the installation, which made the whole experience even more challenging but good 🙂

Being part of Young Masters was truly amazing. I’m really proud of our team and what we did!

© Max Kathan

SPEKTRUM

For Spektrum, we transformed the nave of Antoniuskirche in Graz into an immersive media experience. The title reflects the exploration of light and sound spectra, as well as the broader concepts of diversity and range. Our narratives focused on the in-betweens—like emotional and meaning spectra, harmony and chaos, colors and movement.

This was made possible with the guidance of our amazing lecturers: Astrid Drechsler, Daniel Fabry, Michael Kernbichler, Didi Mosbacher, and Roman Pürcher.

LANGNICHT

Langnicht explores the spectrum between nature and technology. The entire process—from planning to building to the final presentation—was such a mix of excitement, learning, and occasional stress. Our team grew so much during this time, and we created something we’re all really proud of. For me, working with After Effects and contributing to the construction was especially inspiring.

© Max Kathan

Conclusion

I feel really proud and lucky to have been part of Klanglicht 2024! It was an amazing experience to not only showcase our work but also to see and connect with other artists, exchange ideas, and receive feedback from professionals from the field of design. All the hard work, stress, and long hours were absolutely worth it. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and everything I’ve learned along the way! ✨💙

Overall,

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Evaluation of Master Thesis – Down the Rabbit Hole: Visualizing Linguistic Distance and Relationships with Alice in Wonderland

Author: Yi-Chia Cheng
Title: Down the Rabbit Hole: Visualizing Linguistic Distance and Relationships with Alice in Wonderland
Publication: Boston, November 2019
Institution: Northeastern University, Department of Art + Design
Study Program: Information Design + Visualization

Level of Design:
The design of this thesis stands out for its attention to detail and creativity. She uses visually appealing elements like color-coded charts and phonetic mappings, which help make complex linguistic ideas feel approachable. 

Degree of Innovation:
I find the topic very innovative, as Cheng goes beyond traditional ways of visualizing language relationships, such as family trees, and creates new visual methods. Using Alice in Wonderland as a shared text across different languages adds a unique touch and gives a clear reference point for the comparisons.

Independence:
Cheng clearly worked independently, especially with the custom visual tools and color-coded notation system they developed for the analysis. This creative approach goes beyond the standard methods and shows Cheng’s ability to think critically and come up with their own solutions.

Outline and Structure:
The structure of the thesis is clear and flows well. It starts with an introduction and research background, then moves into a case study that breaks down the language comparisons. Each section logically builds on the previous one, making it easy to follow. However, I think some of the visuals could use a bit more explanation to make them clearer for readers who aren’t familiar with linguistics.

Degree of Communication:
Overall, she communicates their ideas well. I like that they use Alice in Wonderland to make the research more accessible and relatable. 

Scope of the Work:
The scope feels ambitious, covering both phonetic and syntactic comparisons across ten languages. This is impressive, but focusing on fewer languages might have allowed for a deeper analysis of each. Still, Cheng does a thorough job within the chosen scope.

Orthography and Accuracy:
The writing seems polished, with no obvious spelling or grammar errors, and Cheng uses technical terms accurately. I did feel that a bit more explanation of certain terms could make the thesis easier for non-expert readers.

Literature:
Cheng includes a solid range of literature, drawing on sources in linguistics and language visualization. I noticed a good mix of both older foundational works and more recent sources. However, adding some more recent studies on visual communication might have given additional depth.

Source: https://repository.library.northeastern.edu/files/neu:m0455c25q/fulltext.pdf

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🟦 09_Learnings & Next Steps

From exploring audio-reactive visuals in TouchDesigner to conceptualizing and designing a simple app prototype in Figma, it was so much fun! It all began with a curiosity about how different languages visually manifest through sound, leading me to experiment with various tools and techniques.

I am so happy that I dived into TouchDesigner a bit more I learned a lot about creating and manipulating visuals, especially making them respond to audio inputs which was very fun to learn. Also Along the way, I listened to the German alphabet countless times, which was unexpectedly useful (and quite amusing🤭)

Transitioning to Figma, I designed a mini prototype for a pronunciation visualizer app. This app allows users to select their native language and a language they wish to learn, providing real-time visual feedback on pronunciation patterns. The thing is, I had so many ideas for using the visuals in a practical application. Ultimately, I focused on perfecting the visuals, which was both challenging and rewarding.

Next Step

Looking ahead, I see a lot of potential for expanding this project. For example a Language Learning Kit with developing a comprehensive language learning kit using these types of visuals could make learning more engaging. Different visuals for different languages might be interesting. Or in the testing phase, it would be interesting to test the visuals with deaf individuals to see if they can detect patterns in each language. This could open up new ways of understanding and teaching languages. So I’m excited about the possibilities and let’s see if I will work on more on this project in the future!