Module 1 Formstorming

Lucy Warren

Project 1

Design Statement

The main purpose of my final altered objects was to create simple functionality. I wanted to steer away from anything too complicated, while also creating something that could make someone else’s life easier.

Activity 1 : Learning Circuits

My first attempt at a circuit. Did not work at all, I did not understand fully how to make a circuit. The next five photos are me struggling to get the circuit to light up. At the time I was still processing the content from the lecture and has absolutely no clue what I was doing.

Attempt number two at trying to get the circut to work. Once again, I did not understand and was in denial at this point.

This time I used a different light to see if my first light was broken. It was not.

I thought that by adding my finger to the circuit it would magically work. It did not.

I flipped the light to see if I just put the light on the wrong way. I did not put the light on the wrong way.

I gave up on trying to make my own circuit and decided to do the example circuit shown in class. I accidently ripped part of the copper tape and broke it.

This is the new circuit I made after that failed attempt. Doing this helped me significantly in understanding how a circuit is supposed to work.

Finally, I got a light to turn on. I was very pleased.

This attempt was also helpful in getting me to understand how circuits worked. This one was also another example and it allowed me to play with more than one light.

I noticed the 2nd light wasn't as bright as the first one. I assume the reason why is because it's farther away from the battery and the first light is hogging all the juice.

This is the first circuit I created on my own without any guides. The main purpose of this circuit was to play around with switches.

This is my circuit in action. I was super pleased that it was working. It helped me feel more confident in making circuits.

I decided to screw around with my tester circuit so I added another light. I wanted to see if the 2nd light added would be more faded than the first due to it being an add on. But I noticed that in this specific case both lights were quite bright.

This is just the bare circuit with the added light. I thought that getting to know these types of circuits would be extremely helpful in making something cool for my final.

This is me alternating between each light. At this point I was debating doing something with this for my final.

I created this circuit in order to test out a different kind of switch. I wanted more of a button-type of switch for my circuit. Something that would be easier for a user to interact with.

This is the circuit turned on. Once again, I wanted to test the circuit with a certain amount of lights.

This is the circuit in action. All the user has to do is press on the circle and the lights turn on.

This was my attempt at creating something interactive with my circuit. I put a sheet of paper over the circuit and wrote a 'press me' button.

When the user presses the button the lights will turn on revealing 3 ghosts from behind the page. Something nice and simple.

For some reason, I wanted to make a butterfly circuit. It only worked with one wing thought.

This was attempt number one to try and get both wings working. I definitely did something wrong with the circuit. I don't think I should've connected both wings to the bottom of the battery.

This was my second attempt to get the wings circuit working. It still did not work at all. This time was because I forgot to put copper tape on top of the battery.

I wanted to try again making a pretty looking circuit so I tried making a star. This one felt simpler and was easier to do.

Luckily it worked. I was very happy that my pretty looking circuit worked.

Activity 2 : Ideation for Final

For my first idea I had my Berne hat. The idea was to start by sewing a battery pouch under the flap of the hat. The flap of the hat would be used to hide most of the circuits.

On the front of the hat, I thought a simple light on the front would be a good and simple idea to accomplish. The purpose of this idea is when people need a light. All they have to do is flip their hat and a light will turn on.

Here is the Berne hat that I own. The material is very soft and adding onto it would be easy to do.

This is behind the flap on the actual hat. It's the same thing of what I said before.

My second idea was to attach a circuit to my favourite coffee cup. When the liquid in the cup reaches a certain point the light will turn on indicating that it's filled.

The main thing I debated about this idea was the placement of the light. Putting the light on the lid would be the best way for the user to see it, but making it into a circuit would be difficult.

This is the coffee cup I intend to use. It has a removeable grip and a twist on cap.

The main interaction of this coffee cup is the lid. It opens and closes, it could be used as a switch for my circuit if I decide to attach the light to the lid.

This is the planned out version of the coffee cup. I would put the battery inside the coffee cup holder so it's secure. Then, I would get my copper tape and wrap it around so both positive and negative ends are inside the mug.

My third idea came from my pair of crocs. I saw videos of how people would put their crocs into sport-mode and thought it would be a good interaction. Basically when the user flips the backing to the front, the light will turn on. The backing of the croc is used as a switch.

The front view of the croc would have the battery placed on a side. Attached is copper tape running around the front edge of the shoe.

These are the green crocs I intend to use. They are made of rubber and comfortable to walk in.

This is the main interaction of the croc. The user flips the backing from the up position to the down position. This is sport mode, it ensures that the user can run in the crocs

This is the main croc sketch. On the backing is the light so when the user flips it, it activates the circuit and the light is easy to see.

For my fourth idea, I wanted to sew an embroidery peices using conductive thread. When first brainstorming, I thought I could make a simple star like I did in the last formstorming activity.

This is a more fleshed out version of what I wanted to do. I took the other circuit that I has made in my formstorming and decided to make it interactable by giving it a switch. My goal was to make interactable fabric like that lady in one of the video lectures.

This is the embroidery circle I wanted to use for my circuit.

The circle is 4 inches wide in diameter so if I were to embroider on it, it would not take too long.

This is my loose idea for the embroidery design. The switch would be at the top and the little graphics would be near the bottom. I was thinking something fruit based for the graphic.

My final idea included a metal tin I got over christmas break. The idea behind it was when the user puts a coin in (this specific case the user would put in the battery) a light would turn on.

This was another idea where I had the option to put the light on the lid. I don't really like this idea though. I feel like putting a light above the coin slot would be easier for the user. Having the light closer to the coin slot may help the user understand the interaction.

This is the metal tin. The paint is spray painted on and won't chip when I put copper tape on. The tin itself is conductive.

This is the main idea I had for the tin. User drops battery. Light goes on.

The other problem with this design is that if the battery falls the wrong way when being put in the coin slot. The circuit won't work.

Project 1

Final Project 1 Design

Wearable Interactive Object : Band-aid

The purpose of the circuit is to give the user an indicator if their bandaid is secure. When a user wraps the bandaid around tightly, the light will turn on signifying to the user that the band-aid is secure. This design was intend for users that may have a hard time seeing and need a confirmation that the band-aid is indeed on. It also looks pretty when the light turns on.

The band-aid when fully lit. The bare bones of the circuit are hidden underneath to give the physical indication that this patch is a band-aid.

Non Wearable Interactive Object : Tea Cup

The purpose of this circuit is to give the user an indicator of the water level in the cup. When the user is filling their teacup, if the liquid reaches a certain water level a light will turn on. This will alert the user that the water might overflow if they continue to pour their liquid of choice. The concept is pretty simple, this design was intended for users who may struggle with sight. Having an extra indicator would help prevent the user from spilling their favourite drinks.

The teacup when lit from being filled with water. The battery is hidden at the bottom of the mug.