My husband and I are total tech geeks so I was super excited when the folks over at HP invited me to partner with them to get creative with their new Sprout computer. With a clear and vibrant 23 inch touchscreen, overhead projector/scanner and dual view touchpad mat it felt like a futuristic and innovative experience to use. Given my love of colour, fashion and design, I set about creating two projects that used Sprout’s innovative features to make personalised items for my home and wardrobe.
For the first project I was keen to see how I could use Sprout’s technology to take something physical and manipulate it digitally. At the start of this year I started to experiment with watercolour and I was keen to see what I could create with one of my mint-coloured paintings.
I began by using Sprout’s overhead one touch capture technology to scan in my original watercolour. With the watercolour scanned in, I was then able to move the painting to the ‘mat’, which allowed me to see the painting on the big widescreen, as well as on the touchpad mat.
With the pen tool stylus I was able to manipulate the painting and move it around to get it to the correct size. It felt really comfortable looking forwards (instead of leaning down and getting a sore neck!) while looking at my amends in real time on the screen in front of me.
With my artwork saved, I then used a website online that allows you to personalise items (a quick internet search will bring up loads of sites that offer such services!). I decided to make a phone case using my mint watercolour, so I used the stylus to drag and drop the artwork to the right position for printing onto the case.
I love seeing the phone case side-by-side with the original painting – technology never ceases to amaze me!
I have to admit, I am thrilled with how it came out. Doesn’t it look great? The ideal phone case for long summer days!
For my second project I used the Microsoft Fresh Paint app that was installed on Sprout to make an original piece of digital artwork. This time I wanted to see what it would be like to create a piece of art digitally and then turn it into something physical.
The Fresh Paint app is incredibly versatile and dexterous – it really does feel like you are painting. You can create with everything from pencils to pens and oils to watercolour. I decided to make a nautical-inspired watercolour waves pattern with the aim of creating a new cushion for my couch.
It was amazing how the stylus responded to the strength and speed of my ‘brush’ strokes. The slower I painted, the more intense the colour and the faster, the lighter it would be. This was how I managed to create the crests of the waves in the pattern I made. Pretty cool, right?! I’m thrilled with how it turned out – it fits into my blue and yellow office colour palette perfectly. What do you think of the designs I created using Sprout?
// Photography by Will Taylor | Posted in partnership with HP, all views my own
20 Comments
I love that cushion design, it suits the room so well!!
@Ryan – Thanks! I am really pleased with how it looks in the space as well!
When I heard HP was releasing the Sprout via Bri at Design Love Fest, it definitely sounded like a dream come true. Getting to see you use it (in somewhat real time) makes me definitely want to try it out for myself. Your creativity never ceases to amaze 😉
Josh – The Kentucky Gent
http://thekentuckygent.com
@Josh – It’s such an awesome piece of technology! Super excited to see it out in the UK now as well! Really cool options to create fashion pieces on it, too, I think! 🙂
OMG!!! That’s amazing!!!
@Melissa – Thanks so much! 🙂
Shut up! That pillow is adorable!
@Robbie – Cheers! I am smitten with how it came out too! 🙂
Wow! want one now 🙂 Amazing piece of technology
@Hester – It really is an amazing product; helped me realise my creative visions!
My inner geek and outer artist are all OVER this! Love your cushion and phone – turquoise and greens are my utter most fave colours, so am drawn to your designs – I hope you put a range together one day Will 🙂
@Lizzie – Thanks for the kind words! xx
I love the potential uses for the overhead one touch technology & w/ innovative apps or programs. This is one computer I’d love to test drive for sure. I really enjoyed seeing what you were able to make with using the Sprout. I bet it has lots of capability. I’ve been on the fence for purchasing a Mac Pro until I saw this. Now I’m a bit torn. lol
@Theresa – I would 100% recommend trying out as I’ve never used anything with the creative capabilities quite like the Sprout! Thanks for stopping by!
Water colours can give you such a wide range of options when it comes to decorating. Its the first time I’ve seen the Sprout but I’m impressed.
@Chris – Glad you enjoyed the post, Chris! Thanks for stopping by!
This is impressive, I feel like this is a sign that the future is now!
@Mat – Yes, I agree!
How high-tech, I love it! And LOVE THAT PILLOW.
@Lindsey – Thank you!