# Physical computing workshop

> Notes from the ‘Making Sense’ physical computing workshop at Atelier Nord, Oslo, September 2004: translating circuit diagrams onto breadboards and programming PIC and Basic Stamp microprocessors.

- Page: https://www.elasticspace.com/2004/09/physical-computing/
- Author: Timo Arnall (https://www.elasticspace.com/)
- Section: Notes (https://www.elasticspace.com/notes/)
- Published: 2004-09-26
- Updated: 2026-07-05
- Tags: Adaptive Design, Conference, Interaction Design, Physical Computing, Tangible Interaction, Technology
- Site map for agents: https://www.elasticspace.com/llms.txt

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A breadboard on the workshop desk, covered in jumper wires and resistors. A Basic Stamp microprocessor blinking LEDs. The intention was to avoid the screen entirely for the duration of the workshop, to concentrate on simple interactions between sensors and outputs. But here we are, staring at [PBasic](http://stage.itp.nyu.edu/~tigoe/pcomp/stamp/stamp-programming.shtml) and [JAL](http://sourceforge.net/projects/jal) while making lots of LEDs blink.

*Notes from the “Making Sense” physical computing workshop at Atelier Nord, Oslo, 22–25 September 2004. Organised by [Erich Berger](http://randomseed.org/) (of [7 Mile Boots](http://randomseed.org/sevenmileboots/) fame), with Helen Evans and Heiko Hansen of [HeHe](http://www.hehe.org/) giving context and direction to the technical process.*

![Breadboard with microprocessor, resistors and jumper wires at the Physcomp workshop](https://www.elasticspace.com/images/physical-computing/physcomp00.jpg)

*Breadboard with microprocessor, resistors and jumper wires at the Physcomp workshop*

A lot of it brought back memories of school, circuit diagrams, resistance calculations. It was great to refresh the memory. We spent a lot of time translating circuit diagrams onto breadboards, and programming both [PIC](https://web.archive.org/web/20040616220311/http://stage.itp.nyu.edu:80/~tigoe/pcomp/pic/index.shtml) and [Basic Stamp](https://web.archive.org/web/20041019093529/http://stage.itp.nyu.edu:80/~tigoe/pcomp/stamp/index.shtml) microprocessors.

![Programming a PIC microprocessor from a laptop at the Physcomp workshop](https://www.elasticspace.com/images/physical-computing/physcomp01.jpg)

*Programming a PIC microprocessor from a laptop at the Physcomp workshop*

Erich is now setting up a Physcomp lab at Atelier Nord to support art and design projects in Oslo, perhaps alongside some regular meetings (entitled Atelier Nerd). Many projects I’d like to pursue, this should be a great resource.