14 DAY TRIAL // The Art of Touch is a very interesting new project from Microsoft Hardware, inspired by some of its best peripherals to date, including: the Touch Mouse, the Arc Touch Mouse and the Explorer Touch Mouse.
Designed to foster creativity, The Art of Touch website is a digital canvas enabling users with browsers playing nice with HTML5 to play with a palette of brushes and effects to create their own personal digital masterpieces.
At the top of this article you can see my own creation, but using The Art of Touch is really fun, and I invite you to try it.
The site features ribbon, smoke and streak brushes, which can all be “upgraded” with no less than five effects. If you play with the brushes long enough, you’ll see that you get different results, when clicking, flicking the mouse, or swiping it across the canvas.
“We wanted to reinvigorate the magic of technology in a dynamic and new way by redefining what a mouse can create, and we welcome everyone to contribute to the communal canvas,” revealed François Ruault, senior director of marketing for Microsoft Hardware.
“People can further their experience on the Art of Touch website by learning about the Microsoft family of Touch mice.”
Looking at the options available on The Art of Touch, users will be able to see that it’s really easy to erase their creation and start over or save it in case they’re happy with it.
The site also allows users to explore the creations of others, as well as enter a sweepstakes in order to get a chance at winning some sweet prizes. Customers need to be aware that they need to reside in the US in order to be considered for the prizes, although The Art of Touch is available worldwide.
“Each eligible person who creates a work of art using The Art of Touch palette can save and tag it with their name and location, and then share it online and through their social networks, where they can earn votes to win prizes in The Art of Touch Sweepstakes,” the software giant revealed.
“Each vote for an art submission will count as one raffle ticket, encouraging people to vote often for favorite collages while increasing their chances to win a variety of prizes from Microsoft. From Nov. 10, 2011, to Feb. 4, 2012, Microsoft will give away prizes in a weekly drawing. Participants will have the chance to win Microsoft Touch mice, Windows 7-based PCs and other prizes that will feature their artwork.”