Real Creepy Crawlies

RESEARCH Background: Real Creepy Crawlies explores concepts of interactive space first explored by the artists in the 1995 publication 'autograph'. Inspired by the use of original video footage of nature this work develops that methodology onto a new digital platform utilising new methods of interaction, namely swiping and zooming live video. The footage is original, shot for the production using a professional insect wrangler. Significance: The app was reviewed by apps4kids in December 2012; "A unique mix of catalogue, documentary and video". Apps4kids is an independent review site run by parents for parents. Review: http://www.apps4kids.net/2012/12/06/real-creepy-crawlies/ Reviewed on education.com in January 2013; "kids will love interacting with creepy crawlers in this outrageous app". With 6 million visitors each month, Education.com is the fastest growing site in its class and the go-to destination for involved parents. The App has been presented to the Museum of Victoria and they have expressed interest to incorporate it into their display and educational programs. This work is a highly original production within the mobile app environment. No other works exist that present this kind of content in the same fashion. It utilises programming classes within the Xcode development environment that are established but applies them to the theme through the use of original and carefully chosen and edited footage. This is a milestone in app development for smartphones being the only one of its type, published to date. There are many apps that classify and list insects and bugs but no such app that lets you watch (pause/play/zoom) high-resolution video. The coding methods developed and used here are innovative and their application now enables further development and use in other productions.