Domestic Light

Turning real-time light data into an interactive experience

The Ask

Domestic Light is a media art project by Ian Winters exploring the relationship between light, perception, memory, and our sense of home.

The project uses light spectrum data collected by sensors in locations around the world. The goal was to give people a way to explore that data visually and see how light differs from place to place.

The Work

Ian built and configured the sensors and the system that collects the data. I worked with him on the API and data model, then built the interactive application that makes the data accessible to visitors.

The application was built with React, Mapbox, and Chart.js. A world map shows the sensor locations, and visitors can select a location to see its light spectrum data.

The map, data visualization, and interface all work together so the data can be explored rather than simply presented.

The Result

The finished application gives visitors a way to explore the project's network of sensors and see the light data being collected from different locations.

It turns a stream of sensor data into something people can interact with and understand visually.