I went into this project wanting to try various methods of beat detection. In 2018, I took a “computational aesthetics” class and wanted to somehow use Processing in this project. I found a song that inspired me and then used a Processing example to create a basic beat-responsive background. Next, I moved into After Effects and used the “alpha silhouette” tool to mask NASA images onto the processing background.
The main section of my project consisted of dancing silver squares. I heavily experimented with Animation presets to destruct the squares and used expressions to make the movements respond to the music. I did not have a set idea of how I wanted it to look, so I carefully listened to the music and created visuals that matched it.