Author: batuuuuuu

Batu’s NeoPixel Practice + Halloween Costume Proposal

1) NeoPixel Practice

I started this project by connecting the wires and preparing both the board and wires for soldering onto the NeoPixel board.

After stripping the wires and setting up my Arduino circuit, I began soldering by tinning the wire tips first and then adding a bit of solder to the NeoPixel board. Since it was my first time soldering directly onto a board, I found it more challenging compared to soldering wire-to-wire.

After finishing the soldering, I connected the board to my computer and tested it using the example sketches already included in the Arduino IDE, after installing the NeoPixel library.

2) Halloween Costume Proposal

i- Powerpuff Girls™

This idea is a collaboration with my friends Jisu and Yennie. When me and my sister was younger, I loved watching things that she really enjoyed and showed me. One of the 100+ cartoons we watched was Powerpuff Girls.

I told my friends that we could do this as a joke, and it became a reality after actually thinking about it. After talking to our classmates, they told us Jisu should be Buttercup, Yennie should be Bubbles, and I… well… Blossom…

I also started to think about other props in the cartoon, and this phone is iconic, so myself ive decided to be bubbles / this phone.

ii- Airport X-Ray Machine

Another idea I had after brainstorming for a while was an airport x-ray machine, well, not literally, but with a simple bag. For my bag outer shape design/dimension,s I got inspired by the Louis Vuitton KEEPALL 45.

I was thinking of having a semi-transparent layer of mesh, and a really bright internal light that would cast shadows of the objects inside the bag to outside, giving it a X-ray / see-through look.

AND / OR

I can print on the meshes, an X-ray visual, and that would light up when i turn on the led’s inside the bag.

iii- Pizza Planet™ Truck/Pizza Box

While brainstorming, I kept thinking about one of the movies that first inspired me to pursue art: Toy Story. When I was really young, I lost the second VCD disc and would rewatch only the first half of the film, always imagining how it might end.

That memory stuck with me, and my love for Toy Story—especially Pizza Planet—has never faded. I liked the idea of Pizza Planet because it’s a sci-fi pizza place, which makes LEDs feel like a natural fit for this project. I sketched out two concepts: the first is a Pizza Planet Truck Spaceship (the one on top of the car) that lights up, and the second is a glowing pizza inside a semi-transparent, Pizza Planet–branded box that also works as a light – so a prop for costume.

Batu’s Plush Night Light

For this project, I set out to design a plush night light that blends my love for collectible display toys with functional lighting. I’ve always enjoyed surrounding myself with limited-edition pieces and objects that make my space feel unique, and I wanted to capture that same feeling in a handmade plush.

I’ve combined sewing, soft materials, and an LED circuit, and my goal was to create a toy that isn’t just for play, but also for display—an object that transforms into an ambient presence when lit at night.

While I started with a different idea, the process led me to relocate the LEDs and add ‘organs’ inside the plush, so that when the light is turned on, the interior details are revealed, giving the design an unexpected inner life.

Continue reading “Batu’s Plush Night Light”

Batu’s Plush Night Light Proposal

Part A: Plush Concepts + Prototype

My plush night light designs are based on the concept of collectible display toys. As someone who loves to collect limited items and arrange them as part of my environment, I wanted to create pieces that go one step further than being simple plushes. By incorporating light, these toys are going to transform into ambient objects and illuminate a space at night while also standing as unique collectibles meant to be displayed and appreciated.

Through the prototyping process, I realized the importance of sewing practice and precision, as craftsmanship plays a key role in creating a polished and visually appealing final toy, and this week, I realized I do need a lot of practice.

i) “SPIKEY” + Prototype

I started this project with a sketch, inspired by my love for incorporating spikes into my designs. This led me to create a monster plush concept, which was a challenging first design to sew.

While sketching the LED circuit, I realized I had two options for placement. The first was to put the LEDs on the spikes, which would highlight the shape and form of the plush and would include 3 LEDs. The second option was to place them in the eyes (2 LED’s), giving the monster a more eerie and expressive vibe.

After completing my sketch, Jay suggested that I cut the fabric slightly outside the actual outline of the plush. I adjusted my drawing to include a wider outline before moving forward with the cutting process. Afterwards, Yennie helped me with the sewing, guiding me through the steps and showing me techniques that improved the overall construction of the plush.

With the guidance of my peers, Yennie and Jay, I was able to improve my sewing skills as they shared their techniques and supported me throughout the process. This collaboration not only strengthened the final outcome but also helped me grow my craftsmanship.

If I move forward with this design, I plan to adjust the proportions by making the plush a little wider than it is tall. I would also enlarge the spikes to make them more prominent, enhancing both the silhouette and the overall presence of the plush.

ii) “BLUSH” Plush

For my second design, I explored a more spherical head plush concept. I decided to place the LEDs behind the cheeks so that, the plush would have a subtle ‘blush effect’ when illuminated. I thought this would create a softer, more playful character while still integrating the lighting element as part of its personality.

If I move forward with this design, I would likely use a thin, soft fabric that can easily wrap around and form a spherical shape. This would help maintain the plush’s smooth, rounded appearance while allowing the LED ‘blush effect’ to shine through effectively.

iii) YETI

For my third design, which turned out to be the most complex of them all, I experimented with creating a simple yeti-inspired plush. To enhance its mythical appearance, I planned to place the LEDs on the face, giving the creature a glowing, otherworldly presence.

If I move forward with this design, I would likely incorporate a variety of materials, such as fur and different types of fabrics, to enhance the visual complexity of the plush. These materials would help emphasize the yeti’s character and make the lighting effect feel more magical.

Part B: LED Circuit

This week, I became much more comfortable using a soldering iron, thanks partly to Sinclair’s assignment. I really enjoyed assembling this small circuit, and it was exciting to see the LEDs come to life as I worked on it.

The first time I inserted the batteries, the LED didn’t light up. After resoldering the connections a second time, the connection was more secure, and the LED finally worked as intended.

FRIDGE/FREEZER THERMOMETER TEARDOWN

©Batu Alpas

About the Item: Fridge / Freezer Thermometer

This refrigerator thermometer is a small, lightweight device with a white ABS plastic body and an LCD screen that shows the temperature. It has a simple look and will easily fit into any fridge or freezer, its compact design and the hook make it easy to place without taking up space.

The thermometer is made from ABS plastic (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), which is a durable and lightweight material commonly used for electronic housings. ABS is also a material that could handle cold temperatures in a fridge or a freezer.

The display is an LCD screen, and the device is battery-powered using a replaceable CR2032 battery.

Tools Used:

  • Small screwdrivers (checked out from the VFL)

Techniques Used

  • Unscrewing fastened screws
  • Carefully separating glued areas (battery)

Since everything inside was either screwed or lightly glued, the overall teardown process was straightforward and required minimal effort.

Material Breakdown by Component

Housing / Body: Made from ABS plastic (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), which is durable, lightweight, and impact-resistant.

Display (LCD): Glass layers with liquid crystal material sealed inside, plus a polarizing film.

Circuit Board (RTRT8891V.1): Made from a hard plastic base with thin copper lines to connect the parts and a protective coating on top.

Buttons: Likely made from silicone rubber (elastomer), giving them a soft, flexible, and slightly grippy texture.

Battery (CR2032): Constructed from a stainless steel casing, with internal lithium metal as the active material, and an electrolyte sealed inside.

Screws: Typically stainless steel or sometimes nickel-plated steel, chosen for corrosion resistance.

Manufacturing Techniques & Assembly

The digital thermometer is manufactured using several common techniques and equipment. The plastic housing is made through injection molding, where melted ABS plastic is poured into a mold to form the case. The circuit board is assembled using automatic machines that place the electronic components onto the board and then solder them in place with heat. The LCD screen and silicone buttons are produced separately and attached during assembly. Finally, the parts are put together using screws or glue, and the battery is inserted at the end. These methods allow the thermometer to be compact, durable, and cost-effective to produce.

Electronic Component Research

‘RTRT8891V.1’ Circuit Board

I wasn’t able to find any information about the chip labeled RTRT8891V.1, but it is probably responsible for managing both the temperature sensing and the data display logic. Combining these functions into a single chip likely simplifies the internal design, reducing the number of components needed internally. This saves space, lowers manufacturing costs, and allows the thermometer to remain compact.

‘CR2032’ Battery

A CR2032 battery is a small, round, 3-volt lithium coin cell commonly used in compact electronic devices like thermometers, calculators, watches, and key fobs. The “CR” stands for its lithium chemistry, the “20” indicates it is 20 millimeters in diameter, and the “32” means it is 3.2 millimeters thick. It’s lightweight, long-lasting, and easily replaceable, which makes it a practical choice for powering small, low-energy products like this digital fridge thermometer.

Design Decisions and Insights

Compact White ABS Plastic Body: The designers likely chose a small, clean, white casing so the thermometer blends easily into any fridge or freezer without being distracting. Its compact size also makes it easy to place without taking up much space.

Multiple Placement Options (Magnet, Hook, Stand): By including several ways to place the thermometer, the designers made it adaptable to different fridges, freezers, or counters.

I’m Batu

Hi! I’m Batu. I’m originally from Ankara, Türkiye, and I recently graduated from CCA with a degree in Animation. Before joining PoD, I’ve been working across different mediums—mostly animation, furniture, and design—because I love telling stories in more than one way.

Some of my favorite things to make are animated shorts, visuals, and video edits for artists, furniture designs, and multidisciplinary projects. Outside of school, I love playing basketball and DJ’ing. I do miss eating In-N-Out after moving from California, but I guess I can settle for Shake Shack here too.

In this course, I’m mostly looking forward to merging my TouchDesigner knowledge with Arduino and exploring how interactive systems can expand my practice.

@batualpas