Lab
Science and technology at the service of art and design
Ohme Lab is an independent research and development center which, since 2021, has been offering design, prototyping, realization, and technical repair services to artists, designers and the creative industries, particularly in the digital, kinetic, and electronic arts sectors.
Ohme Lab is developing into a technical co-creation platform integrating our engineers, artists and the university community. The Lab also initiates ambitious technological developments for certain Ohme Studio co-productions.
One of the strengths of our structure, which straddles the worlds of art and engineering, is our ability to develop a common language that facilitates communication between individuals with very different backgrounds, as well as to effectively translate the needs of an artist into technical specifications, and vice versa.
In a nutshell, at Ohme Lab, we offer our technical-scientific-artistic skills to help you use interdisciplinarity as a driver for creativity, to translate your artistic needs into technical specifications, to transform your ideas into concrete and functional prototypes.
We support your work with guidance, advice or implementation...
Ohme Lab’s technical offer can, for example, help you design and manufacture electronic, mechanical and lighting systems, with or without embedded intelligence. We also have at our disposal manufacturing tools such as CNC milling, 3D-printing and laser-cutting to help you build small-scale installations and objects or prototype things rapidly.
But most importantly, thanks to our wide competences and scientific networks, we can help you think about the conceptualization of your artistic project or provide you with relevant advice in diversified fields such as chemistry, mathematics, neurosciences, etc – you name it.
... by providing you with our in-house engineering skills ...
Electronic & electrical design
- We create custom digital and analog electronics, as well as hardware design
- i.e. Printed circuit board (PCB) design, troubleshooting, wireless communications, power electronics, etc
Digital manufacturing techniques
- Using the latest digital tools and techniques, we transforms designs into tangible products with speed and precision
- i.e. 3D printing, CNC milling, laser cutting, etc
Woodworking (in collaboration with Aiko Design)
- Using traditional and modern techniques, we create a wide range of objects and installations, from funriture and sculpture to architectural and scenographic elements.
- i.e. Wooden structure, furniture, art installations, scenography, etc
Material sciences & chemistry
- Benefit from our deep understanding of material properties, chemical processes, and physical behavior of materials
- i.e. Microscopic footage, analysis methods, materials selection and guidance, etc
Design of structure & mechanical parts
- We engineer precision machines with a deep understanding of the mechanics of materials and structural analysis
- i.e. Design of mechanisms, electrical boxes, modeling of behavior under constraints (static, dynamic, heat, etc), finite elements, etc
3D drawing & simulation
- We create models and concepts that allow testing and experimenting before physical manufacturing
- i.e. Computer-aided design (CAD), scale-models, simulations, thermal devices, electromagnetic fields, etc
Programming for interactive multimedia
- We use the power of real-time programming tocreate dynamic and interactive experiences that engage audiences in new and exciting ways
- i.e. TouchDesigner, Chataigne, MadMapper, Resolume, etc
Image analysis & shape or feature recognition
- We build systems that are capable of detecting and recognizing objetcs, faces and other visual elements in the real world
- i.e. Image and texture analysis, shape and object detection, etc
Programming electronics
- We create software, code, and algorithms that are used to create, manipulate and interact with digital media or objects
- i.e. Processing (creative coding), Embedded Systems (Arduino, STM32, Raspberry Pi), Python, C++, MatLab, etc
Automation & control
- We are able to control and automate the behavior of devices, environments, and installations with sensors, actuators and other control components
- i.e. Control design, theory and engineering, etc
... and by helping you every step of the way, from ideation to manufacturing.
1. Needs identification & functional analysis
- What are my needs as an artist, how do I identify, categorize and prioritize them?
- How to transpose my needs into functionalities of the artwork, product or device to be designed and manufactured?
- With what or whom will the artwork interfere (artists, art handlers, transporters, visitors, exhibition producers, etc.) and how (interactivity, usage scenarios, visitor experience, etc.)?
- What are the constraints of design, manufacture, distribution and use (exhibition conditions, technology, budget and the normative and natural environments)?
3. Conceptual design
- How to structure all the desired functionalities to specify suitable first principle solutions and combine them into several concept variants
to challenge, compare and test? - How to list the features and functions that are essential to the artwork as to identify feasible combinations of sub-solutions?
- How to develop the concepts into solution principle variants?
5. Detail design
- How to fix the final arrangement, form, dimensions and properties of all the individual parts?
- How to synthesize all the information and documents needed to manufacture the artwork, product or device in an efficient and well-structured way?
- How to write the relevant documentation & instructions for the transport, maintenance, operability, assembly, what to do in case of a bug, etc? detail drawings, tolerancing, assembly drawings, bill of materials
2. Requirements list
- How to define and list the technical specifications?
- How can I translate my needs, functionalities, demands (under all circumstances) and wishes (whenever possible) into adequate qualitative and quantitative information needed to produce the artwork?
- What physical quantities, properties and values can I use (size, space requirement, type of motion, frequency, weight, energy consumption, material, safety, shockproof, waterproof, means of production, quietness, servicing intervals, time, costs, recycling, etc)?
4. Embodiment design
- How can the layout and forms be determined to develop an artwork in accordance with technical and economic considerations?
- How to design an artwork that fulfills technical functions and economic feasibility based on 3 key rules: clarity, simplicity and safety?
- How to select materials through pass/fail tests or performance criteria and ranking?
- How to refine the final design by considering decisions and challenges with a 360° view from manufacturing to recycling, assembly, standardization, transport, cost and aesthetics to recycling?
6. Manufacturing
- How to quickly make a working prototype or small-scale installations as a proof of concept to validate the key technical elements of my artwork?
- Which manufacturing techniques and tools are best suited to my needs, schedule and budget?
- How do I physically build my final artwork, product or device, what kind of crafts and skills do I need? What can be done in-house and what needs to be outsourced?
Something we can help with?
Get in touch!
info[at]ohme.be
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