ProtoGMI MusicBrush-an exercise in general multimedia instrument interface design

Discusses the interface design for instruments of general multimedia artwork. We describe the development of a prototype general multimedia instrument (GMI), the ProtoGMI MusicBrush, and show some experimental results. The MusicBrush combines virtual brush painting and music playing using position-sensitive handsets. Based on an examination of existing interface conventions and on past experience with multimedia art creation systems, the important distinction between discrete and non-discrete media components was central in the development of the MusicBrush. The primary interface of the MusicBrush incorporates discrete and non-discrete input methods and we examine the usefulness of such an interface in practice