Designing public interactions through sound with Michael Baker

<p>In this podcast you will learn how sound-led public artworks can turn everyday places into shared, playable environments.  In this interview Michael Baker is the Sound Director at Daily tous les jours we explore some of the thinking behind Daily Tous Les Jours’ public artworks.  Daily tous les jours is known for large-scale participatory works such as <em>Musical Swings</em>, as well as their book <em>Strangers Need Strange Moments Together</em>, which reflects on designing interaction in public space. This interview is the first in a series that focuses on media art works in public space.   <strong> </strong></p><p>Listen to this podcast to learn about:</p><ul><li>Why music acts as “social glue” in public space and how it supports relationality</li></ul><ul><li>How the Musical Swings series of works map movement and synchrony into musical structure</li></ul><ul><li>Designing interactions that are legible without instructions</li></ul><ul><li>Low-tech prototyping methods (before code) that test the real experience</li></ul><ul><li>The differences between touring works and permanent outdoor installations</li></ul><ul><li>Common failure points in public work: weather, wear, and mechanical/electronic overlap</li></ul><ul><li>Why the “artwork” is ultimately the people using the piece, together</li></ul><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>(00:00:00) Finding the hidden rhythm: sound between chaos &amp; musical order</p><p>(00:00:24) Welcome + acknowledgement of country</p><p>(00:00:48) Series kickoff: Media art in public spaces (meet Daily tous les jours)</p><p>(00:01:40) Michael Baker’s role: Why audio is the perfect public-space interface</p><p>(00:02:44) “Make sure it makes music”: Music as social glue &amp; pre‑verbal play</p><p>(00:05:24) Accidental encounters: The magic of unexpected public art</p><p>(00:06:22) Case study: Musical swings—wonder, all ages, all walks of life</p><p>(00:07:38) Sync &amp; sway: How the swings create emergent harmony (tech + behavior)</p><p>(00:09:56) From mirror neurons to intimacy: Why we copy each other</p><p>(00:10:41) Interactive pavement: Grid rhythms, emergent rules &amp; dancing together</p><p>(00:11:48) No instructions needed: Designing clear, simple gestures</p><p>(00:13:45) Prototyping at scale: Iteration, tape-on-the-ground tests &amp; deadlines</p><p>(00:16:13) Tweak vs deliver: Working with clients, museums &amp; touring constraints</p><p>(00:17:51) Testing with fresh eyes: First-time users as the real benchmark<