Times Table Visualization [Interactive]

Collaboratively designing, prototyping, and developing a times table visualization in service of learners.

Times Table Visualization

In late 2019, I began creating a variety of creative coding images and visualizations; I had previously used Python, CSS, and HTML, but I wanted to explore Processing (a Java derivative) because of its focus on artists and creatives.

In early 2020, I engaged in a conversation with two OMSI colleagues with the idea of using my creative coding creations in support of their March Mathness programming; however, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic affected these efforts.

Almost four years later in mid 2023, the conversation was restarted and we decided to finally make it a reality! In collaboration with members of OMSI’s Creative Services Team, Engagement, Research, and Advancement (ER&A) Team, and the Exhibit Experiences Team, we were able to repurpose an old touch screen to create an interactive pop-up hosted in front of Science Playground (a space for children ages 0-6 years old).

For this project I provided my code, mathematics-related expertise through the development and research process, and some translation support. The aforementioned teams led the project management, creative and graphic design, troubleshooting, logic models, and the main translations for the interactive.

To learn more about the mathematics behind this interactive, check out Visualizing Math: A Guide to Creating Times Table Animations with Python. See below for the code I created for this interactive: