Paints, paper, and programs: First steps toward the computational sketchbook

Abstract

This paper describes what we believe to be important initial steps toward realizing a novel computational medium that combines elements of programming, painting, and papercrafts. Briefly, this genre of paper computing allows a user to create functional computational artifacts on painted paper substrates. We introduce a construction kit for paper computing that consists of computational elements - microcontrollers, sensors, actuators, and power sources - that are held on paper surfaces by magnetic paint and magnets. Conductive paint applied to these surfaces takes on the role of "wires", connecting the computational elements to one another. These elements can be moved around and from surface to surface, much like magnets on a refrigerator, and the overall result is a tangible medium in which painting, programming, and the affordances of paper blend together. In addition to introducing the kit, we describe example constructions and discuss a variety of potential applications, design projects, and issues for continued research. Copyright 2009 ACM.