The severed Minecraft head is a prop for a halloween costume, acting like a trick or treat basket. Constructed from acrylic/polyethylene/polypropylene sheets, the head is painted with the signature pixelated aesthetic and features internal RGBW LED strips inside the box. The primary function is to express four distinct “moods”—Angry (red light), Sad (blue light), Disgust (green light), and Happy (yellow light)—by dynamically shifting the color of the internal lighting. The basket includes a red handle and a “severed neck” base, with black paint for the eyes and mouth, ensuring both visual impact and a clear pathway for the light to shine through. The shades of the pixels are created by painting multiple coats of acrylic paint on the surface to help create a opaque and translucent light dispersal.
The prop’s intention is to blend the nostalgia of my brother and my shared love for Minecraft with a playful Halloween fright. By presenting the instantly recognizable Creeper head in a dark context—a “severed neck” basket—it introduces a darkly humorous twist on a beloved game element. The dynamic, shifting NeoPixel lights (from “angry” red to “sad” blue) use in-game visuals to create an eerie, mood-depicting glow, transforming our childhood interests into a uniquely personal and subtly unsettling costume piece.
Concept sketch
Materials & Parts
1/4″ white translucent acrylic sheet – For the main structure, laser cut to make a 8×8″ cube. Purchased from the VFL.
(2) RGBW LED Neopixel Sticks – For the light source, I had one in my kit. Borrowed another one from Jay.
Crafting a Minecraft head costume with NeoPixel sticks illuminating it from within was honestly an ambitious but fun project. While the soldering proved to be a real challenge, trying to attach those tiny wires to the compact Gemma M0 board tested both my patience and my dexterity, the final result made it all worthwhile. Parading through the streets of NYC for the Halloween parade was an incredible cultural experience, with the energy of the crowd and the creativity on display making every frustrating moment at my workbench fade away. Looking back, if I were to build this prop again, I’d construct the top and bottom sections in acrylic as well, rather than just the sides, to achieve a fully translucent effect that would really let those NeoPixels shine through every surface and create an even more striking glow.
A special mention and big thank you to everyone, especially Becky, Josh, the entire VFL team, Rhea and Manya who helped me see this project through till the end, believing that I could execute it! Thank you to Becky and Smokey for accompanying my friends and I to the parade as well! Thank you for your support!
The severed Minecraft head is a prop for a halloween costume, acting like a trick or treat basket. Constructed from 1/4″ white translucent acrylic sheets, the head is painted with the signature pixelated aesthetic and features 2 internal RGBW LED Neopixel sticks placed in the center of the cube, covered with an opaque material (like chipboard) on the top and bottom faces. The primary function is to express four distinct “moods”—Angry (red light), Sad (blue light), Disgust (green light), and Happy (yellow light)—by dynamically shifting the color of the internal lighting. The basket includes a red handle and a “severed neck” base, with black paint for the eyes and mouth, ensuring both visual impact and a clear pathway for the light to shine through. The shades of the pixels are created by painting multiple coats of acrylic paint on the surface to help create a opaque and translucent light dispersal. The updated size for the cube is 8″x8″, with 1″x1″ pixels.
Updated Materials List
1/4″ white translucent acrylic sheet – For the main structure, laser cut to make a 8×8″ cube. I will purchase this from the VFL once the laser cutting machine is functional on Friday.
(2) RGBW LED Neopixel Sticks – I had one in my kit, borrowed another one from Jay.
Poly-fill – To disperse the light inside the cube, already there in my kit.
Adafruit Gemma board – Already there in my kit.
Electrical wires – Already there in my kit.
USB Battery Pack – Already there in my kit.
Acrylic paint – To paint the pixels on the surface of the sheet and create tonality. I have some at home, will get more from Michaels if needed.
Solder – From the VFL.
Tools
Laser cutter (The filtration system of the laser cutter is currently down, it will be replaced on Thursday, I can cut out the structure on Friday. I thought of cutting the acrylic using an acrylic cutter but I have been advised against that by the VFL because of the thickness of the acrylic.)
The severed Minecraft head is a prop for a halloween costume, acting like a trick or treat basket. Constructed from acrylic/polyethylene/polypropylene sheets, the head is painted with the signature pixelated aesthetic and features internal RGBW LED strips sandwiched between inner and outer walls. The primary function is to express four distinct “moods”—Angry (red light), Sad (blue light), Disgust (green light), and Happy (yellow light)—by dynamically shifting the color of the internal lighting. The basket includes a red handle and a “severed neck” base, with black paint for the eyes and mouth, ensuring both visual impact and a clear pathway for the light to shine through. The shades of the pixels are created by painting multiple coats of acrylic paint on the surface to help create a opaque and translucent light dispersal.
Intention of ‘Mine-crafted life’
The prop’s intention is to blend the nostalgia of my brother and my shared love for Minecraft with a playful Halloween fright. By presenting the instantly recognizable Creeper head in a dark context—a “severed neck” basket—it introduces a darkly humorous twist on a beloved game element. The dynamic, shifting NeoPixel lights (from “angry” red to “sad” blue) use in-game visuals to create an eerie, mood-depicting glow, transforming our childhood interests into a uniquely personal and subtly unsettling costume piece.
Arduino techniques to be used
Using the colorWipe or crossFade function in Arduino to help transition between the 4 RGBW colors in the NeoPixel.
Materials and parts
Translucent white Acrylic/Polyethylene/Polypropylene sheet (As the main material for the basket, its handle and neck.) – I’m having a little trouble finding Polypropylene sheets in the translucency, size and thickness that would be suitable for the 12″ x 12″ size of the basket head. Here’s a few links of what I found: 1. Polypropylene sheets (TAP plastics) – Tap Plastics link (This seems like a clear sheet, I was going for a white translucent sheet)
2. Polypropylene sheets (Amazon) – Amazon Link (The size limitation is 12″ x12″, I might need a bigger size for making the handle and top frame to cover the walls. If I get this, I will have to join multiple pieces together)
3. Polyethylenesheets HDPE Plastic Sheet Board (Amazon) – Amazon Link (I read that this material also has similar translucency and light dispersion properties as acrylic, but seems a little expensive for the size I want)
4. Acrylic sheets (Canal Plastics) – Canal Plastics Link (This seems okay to me, alternatively I could get the acrylic from the VFL and be careful not to break it)
RGBW LED Strips – I was planning on getting either 8 shorter strips or 2 long ones that can span the entire cube.
Poly-fill – To disperse the light well in between the inner and outer walls of the cube.
Adafruit Gemma board – If its possible to link 2 separate LEDs to one board, I intend on doing that, otherwise, I will get another Gemma board.
Breadboard + Electrical wires
USB Battery Pack
Acrylic paint – To paint the pixels on the surface of the sheet and create tonality.
Solder
Tools
Laser cutter
Soldering Iron
Hot glue gun
Wire strippers
Wire snips
X-acto knife
To-Do list
Figure out number and specifications of LED strips needed
Finalise circuit diagram
Tinker with Arduino code to get my color-changing motion
Finalize on material for the main structure
Test light dispersion on small pieces of acrylic to see light and shadows with white paint
As a teen, I was honestly addicted to Minecraft. The endless possibilities of the game and the fun pixels were all I could think about, bringing me to this halloween costume, “mine-crafted life”. It is a concept for light-up Minecraft-themed props: a Creeper head, a torch, and a severed head basket. Constructed from acrylic or foam board, they feature separate LED strips and mesh for breathability in the head. The main feature is the Creeper head’s mood-depicting light change, using colors like red (‘angry’) or yellow (‘happy’). The torch will have a controller to adjust brightness, and the parts will be painted to preserve the pixelated aesthetic.
The crazy LEGO scientist
Till date, my favorite activity is to make LEGO puzzles. I feel like it is as de-stressing for me as laying in a pool floating for hours. Which brings me to this idea of the “Crazy LEGO Scientist” costume. An illuminated twist to the classic LEGO Mini figure, central to the concept is an oversized, light-up LEGO head with crazed hair and features. This is further exaggerated by the glasses, which incorporate a spiral light loop to simulate a buzzing, electric energy, fitting the scientist’s unstable persona. To complete the laboratory look, the scientist carries a light-up chemical potion beaker, specifically noted to contain a “blood potion” that also illuminates, adding a touch of fun to this bright and eccentric costume.
The Tetris costume
I designed this Tetris costume because I’ve always found a deep sense of satisfaction in making things fit together perfectly, much like the game itself. The costume concept translates that love into a fun, interactive Halloween piece: a grid filled with colorful Tetris blocks that are given a spooky twist with glowing faces. The play here is of the blocks falling in a loop with different colored lights, and could even switch on when touched and be made interactive. This whole project appeals to my desire to create a cohesive, whimsical, and visually compelling halloween costume.
I’m currently not too sure of the parts I will be needing for the circuits, but I do have a general idea of the materials I want to make the forms for the costume in!
The thought behind the project In a world full of Jellycats, ‘Heart in the right place’ is a night light for developing children who love a pop of color and personality to their spaces. The fun and whimsy night light aims to appeal to the children through not just the playful form, but also promote an appreciation for their natural surroundings. Made from waste fabric leftover at home, the night light uses contrasting fabrics to help portray a world with and without nature in an abstract way. The heart in the centre of the plush night light is the heart of the bunny, accentuated with a soft illuminating glow. Lastly, another area that helped forward this idea is the thought of utilizing fabric scraps and promoting sustainability ina small but meaningful way.
After a careful and stressful attempt at soldering a LED circuit, I managed to successfully complete the circuit and get the white LED to light up!
B. PLUSH PROTOTYPE – ANIMAL FORM
Step 1: Making a paper pattern and placing on the short fur fabric to estimate fabric length needed.
Step 2: Tracing the paper pattern onto the fabric.
Step 3: Pinning the pattern to the fabric to cut 2 identical pieces.
Step 4: Having 2 identical fabric pieces.
Step 5: Creating a pocket for the animal form and stitching 3 sides of it with a running stitch.
Step 6: Completed stitched pocket.
Step 7: Placing both fabric pieces to face each other and doing a backstitch to secure the edges.
Step 8: Clipping and stitching both pieces, cutting off excess fabric on edges while leaving a margin.
Step 9: Turning the plush toy inside out and filling it with poly fill. Subsequently stitching the top shut using a ladder stitch.
Completed plush toy (Looks like a Mouflon on 4 legs to me)
C. PLUSH NIGHT LIGHT IDEATIONS
IDEA 1 – ‘Heart in the right place’ plush nightlight
Target user – Children between the ages of 3-12 years of age
Description – ‘Heart in the right place’ is a bunny plush made to appeal developing children, to make them more appreciative of their natural surroundings. The toy uses contrasting plain and patterned fabric to show the two sides of the world – with and without nature. The heart placed in the center has a soft illuminating glow that lights up to display warmth.
Materials and parts – Potentially uses 5 yellow LEDs to help illuminate the heart. The main fabrics envisioned for this plush are Linen and Cotton to help soften the glow, making it subtle but present. Alternatively, I also envisioned using a patchwork of scraps to help give it more personality, promote crafts and help manage fabric waste.
IDEA 2 – ‘Matryoshka doll light’
Target user – Children between the ages of 11-15 years of age
Description – The ‘Matryoshka’ doll is inspired by traditional Russian dolls crafted in wood. The silhouette of the form is envisioned to be soft and huggable. The idea for this derives from my brief stay at Russia as a child, bringing me back to the nostalgic curiosity of the shape and stacking of these dolls. Traditionally, there are multiple sizes fitted one inside another, which can be thought of too. Essentially, I wanted to create a soft form that can be customized according to the child’s taste while still having some depiction of their cultural identity or personality.
Materials and parts – Potentially uses 8 LEDs to help illuminate the neck and base of the doll. The form is made of fabrics such as felt or linen, while the customizable part can either be a zipper sleeve added externally or a whiteboard like material wrapped around it to enable the user to interact with the product.
IDEA 3 – ‘Tiffany lamp shade plushies’
Target user – Not restricted to any specific age group
Description – The ‘Tiffany’ Lamp shade is an age old glass cutting and forming method that uses tiffany glass, creating visually interesting and colorful pieces. This plush softens the same vintage art form creating a stained glass effect but in the form of a plush night light. I envision this piece to be a combination of colorful LEDs and felt fabric. This night light will not only create interesting patterns and have a vibrant appeal, but also, be a nice keep sake for people interested in the appeal of the traditional tiffany lamps.
Materials and parts – Potentially has 10 LEDs in different colors to create interest and intrigue. The fabric thought of for this plush light is felt with certain cutouts in acrylic that can help disperse the light softly. The opacity of the felt fabric will help create a good contrast to the translucency of acrylic.
Material:Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/Teflon plastic Function:Allows the mouse to glide smoothly with minimal friction on surfaces, keeps the mouse elevated from the surface. Manufacturing techniques: High-precision die-cutting, CNC milling or solid machining.
2. Manufacturing sticker
Material: BOPP (Biaxially-Oriented Polypropylene) plastic Function: To help provide key information about the product. Manufacturing techniques: Heating and stretching molten polypropylene in two directions, followed by a surface flame treatment. Text printed using methods like flexography or rotogravure, adhesive application and cutting material into rolls.
3. Anti-slip mouse skates
Material:Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/Teflon plastic Function:Allows the mouse to glide smoothly on surfaces, keeps the mouse elevated from the surface, and minimizes friction created between the surfaces. Manufacturing techniques: High-precision die-cutting, CNC milling or solid machining.
4. Mouse shell top
Material:ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic Function:Provides protection, ergonomics, and structural support for the internal components. Manufacturing techniques: Injection molding. The logo is then printed on shell using methods of pad printing or UV printing.
5. USB-C adapter port
Material:Nickel coated shell, Polyamide plastic housing Function:Allows for charging the internal battery or connecting the mouse via a USB-C receiver/dongle. Manufacturing techniques: Stamping and plating of shell, injection molding of the plastic housing.
6. USB-A receiver housing shell
Material:ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic Function:Helps connect the mouse to the computer by converting radio frequency signals into signals that can be understood by the computer. Manufacturing techniques: Injection molding.
7. USB-A receiver housing cap
Material:ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic Function:Helps enclose the components of the receiver within the housing. Manufacturing techniques: Injection molding.
8. USB-A receiverEMI/EMF shielding
Material:Aluminum Function:Prevents external interference from entering and prevents internal noise from escaping. Manufacturing techniques: Stamping of metal sheet.
9. USB-A System on a Chip (SoC)
Material:Silicon, aluminum and copper Function:Creating a single integrated circuit to help transmit and receive data that allows the mouse to function. Manufacturing techniques: Wafer production, photolithography, etching, ion implantation, deposition, planarization, and metallization.
10. Mouse shell middle
Material:ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Function:Provides structural support and housing for the internal components. Manufacturing techniques: Injection molding.
11. Mouse shell bottom
Material:ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Function:Provides structural support and housing for the internal components. Manufacturing techniques: Injection molding.
12. Battery coil negative terminal
Material:Nickel-coated music wire/Stainless steel Function:Aid the electrical connection of the mouse, while providing mechanical support to the battery. Manufacturing techniques: Coiling, heat treatment, grinding, finishing and plating.
13. Battery coil positive terminal
Material:Nickel-coated music wire/Stainless steel Function:Aid the electrical connection of the mouse, while providing mechanical support to the battery. Manufacturing techniques: Coiling, heat treatment, grinding, finishing and plating.
14. Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
Material:Fiberglass (FR-4), Copper Function:Translates user movements and clicks into digital signals that can be understood by the computer. Manufacturing techniques: Software design, substrate preparation, fabrication and etching.
15. Micro switch Type A
Material:Polycarbonate (PC), Polyphenylene Terephthalate (PBT), or nylon for the housing, Metal contacts Function:Provide tactile feedback, ensure responsiveness and functionality of the mouse. Manufacturing techniques: Injection molding, stamping, shaping, forming.
16. Micro switch Type B
Material:Polycarbonate (PC)/Polyphenylene Terephthalate (PBT) Function:Provide tactile feedback, ensure responsiveness and functionality of the mouse. Manufacturing techniques: Injection molding.
17. Micro switch Type C
Material:Polycarbonate (PC)/Polyphenylene Terephthalate (PBT) Function:Provide tactile feedback, ensure responsiveness and functionality of the mouse. Manufacturing techniques: Injection molding.
18. Optical mouse sensor
Material: A tiny camera (CMOS sensor), semiconductor substrate, plastics, and various metals Function:Illuminates the surface beneath the mouse, capturing a series of images of the surface’s texture with a tiny camera sensor. Manufacturing techniques: Semiconductor fabrication techniques.
19. LED Light
Material: Aluminium gallium indium phosphide alloys and indium gallium nitride alloys Function:Detect the changes beneath the mouse, and to track the movement of the cursor. Manufacturing techniques: Semiconductor wafer creation, chip formation, etching and coating.
20. Toggle switch housing
Material:ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Function:Houses the actuator that helps control the mouse circuit. Manufacturing techniques: Injection molding.
21. Toggle switch actuator
Material:ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Function: Allows the mouse to manually be switched on and off. Manufacturing techniques: Injection molding.
22. M1.6 screw
Material:Carbon steel/Stainless steel/Alloy steel Function: Holds the bottom mouse shell and middle mouse shell together. Manufacturing techniques: Straightening, cold heading and thread rolling.
23. F-Switch component encasing
Material: Aluminum Function: Helps complete the circuit of the mouse. Manufacturing techniques: Die-cutting, stamping.
24. F-Switch component housing
Material:ABS/Other polymer blends Function:Houses the internal components of the F-Switch to complete the circuit. Manufacturing techniques: Injection molding.
25. F-Switch component contact
Material:Gold/silver-plated metal Function:Prevent oxidation and ensure good electrical conduction. Manufacturing techniques: Die-cutting, stamping.
Material:ABS/Polycarbonate Function:Aids the functionality of the mouse. Manufacturing techniques: Injection molding or insert molding.
28. AA Battery
Material: Zinc and manganese dioxide mixture, with a potassium hydroxide electrolyte, enclosed in a steel casing Function: Power source for the mouse. Manufacturing techniques: Assembling an outer steel can, which serves as the positive cathode, and filling it with the cell’s internal components in a highly automated process.
29. Tool used – Small Phillips Head Screwdriver
30. Tool used – Small Flat Head Screwdriver
31.Tool used – Tweezers
Teardown Process
Step 1: Remove mouse skates and stickers using tweezers and a small flathead screwdriver.
Step 2: Remove USB receiver from the mouse shell bottom.
Step 3: Separate the top and middle mouse shell.
Step 4: Unscrew the middle shell from the bottom mouse shell using a small Phillips head screwdriver.
Step 5: Keep all 3 shells separately so as to view the circuit in the bottom mouse shell.
Step 6: Remove the AA battery from the bottom mouse shell.
Step 7: Remove the scroll wheel from the bottom mouse shell.
Step 8: Remove the PCB, toggle switch housing and actuator from the bottom mouse shell.
Step 9: Remove the USB-C port from the slot in the bottom mouse shell.
Step 10: Remove the type A micro switches from the PCB.
Step 11: Remove the positive and negative terminals of the battery coil from the PCB.
Step 12: Remove the type B micro switches from the PCB.
Step 13: Carefully separate the optical mouse sensor from the PCB.
Step 14: Carefully remove and separate the components of the F-switch.
Step 15: Detach the LED light from the PCB.
Step 16: Take out the USB-A receiver and separate the shielding from the housing.
Step 17: Open the shielding to expose and remove the SoC.
Step 18: As the last step of the teardown, separate the pieces of the USB-A receiver.
Notable design elements
The USB-A receiver housing was quite interesting to me as the slotting mechanism at the bottom of the housing not only made it easy to disassemble the part, but also must’ve eased assembly of the receiver. The sleekness of the cap was ergonomically great to open the piece using just an index finger and thumb. Lastly, the ridges on the bottom of the housing acted as a good grip as well for easy removal from the USB port.
The overall transparency of the mouse shells evoked a lot of curiosity for me personally, since I was able to see all the components at once. The composition that all the parts created together also gave me a sense of engagement with the product. Lastly, the transparency of the mouse shells also helped see the internal working of the mouse.
I am a design student from India with a Bachelor of Design degree and a diverse cultural background, having grown up in different parts of India. I graduated from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (New Delhi) in 2023 with a Major in Fashion & Lifestyle Accessories, along with a Minor in Space Display & Presentation Design.
My formal education in design exposed me to the lateral horizons of User-centric Design, Packaging design, Design for Social Innovation, Branding, and Visual Communication, while my innate interest has always been in Lifestyle Accessories and Furniture. I was previously working as a furniture designer at a luxury furniture company in India – Wriver, where my role was to manage the Furniture Accessories vertical within the company. I, thereby contributed to the entire lifecycle of product development, from initial conceptualization to final visualization. One of the products that I made for the company was recently awarded the SIT Design Award 2025, which was an exciting achievement for me!
Throughout my journey with design, my thorough design process has been my constant companion. The tangibility of design has made the journey of my designs my means of expressing myself. Some of my hobbies include engaging in creative pursuits, journaling, exploring new places, trying new foods, and organizing things.
Having had no background or experience in computer science or coding, I am quite excited about learning how to code and integrate electronics into product design, however, the challenge of exploring a new field is also seemingly daunting.
