GML is an XML-based file format for archiving graffiti tags. “The new digital standard for tomorrow’s vandals.”
The idea: capture the motion data of a graffiti tag - the x,y coordinates and timing - so you can replay it, analyze it, or even recreate it with robots. A simple bridge between ink and code.
I was the technical lead on GML, working with project lead Evan Roth, Theo Watson, and Chris Sugrue as part of FAT Lab. The concept started with Evan’s original Graffiti Analysis project back in 2003, but we standardized and opened up the format in summer 2009. The GML core development team also included Golan Levin.
We launched it during “GML Week” in January 2010, releasing a bunch of apps and tools all at once:
- Graffiti Analysis 2.0 - the app for recording and playing back tags, with new tracking, playback, and graphics
- DustTag - iPhone app to trace your tags and upload them to 000000book
- FatTag Deluxe (Katsu Edition) - iPhone drawing app made with graffiti legend Katsu
- Laser Tag - project giant tags on buildings with a laser pointer
- EyeWriter - eye-tracking software so paralyzed graffiti artists could still write
The format was designed to be dead simple - readable by hobbyist programmers, artists, and writers. Since then dozens of third-party apps have been built by open source hackers.
000000book
We also built 000000book (that’s six zeroes, aka “blackbook”) as an open database for storing and sharing GML files. Almost 20,000 tags have been uploaded there. The idea was to complete the “open graffiti triangle”: open source software (Graffiti Analysis), open data (000000book), and open data formats (GML).
Recognition
GML won a Tokyo TDC Award in 2011.