Author: Ta-Shea Brown

Ta-shea Final Project : Smartbell

Lets workout! The dumbbell brought quite the challenge but it was a success.

As mentioned. This is a responsive dumbbell that changes light based on your increasing arm rep. The aim is to always get to the color green, this signifies that you have successfully completed the workout.

See process below!

Stage 1 – Initial Sketch – I had no idea what I was doing, or faith that I could pull this off.

Stage 2 – Second Sketch – still had no idea, but the sketching got the gears turning in my head

Stage 3 – Coding – the pressure was on!

Stage 4- Took a break – much needed orange gin cocktail break.


Stage 5- Progress!!

Stage 6 – End result

Ta-shea’s Final Project (Update)

Interactive Gym Dumbbell
I chose the interactive dumbbell as my final project.

Material
Neo pixel strip
3D Film
Hot glue
Tilt Ball switch

Instructables
https://www.instructables.com/member/tbrown291

Google Docs
https://docs.google.com/document/d/13kOM9COUida4MDi-CUoZHFeo7M9q_9fyPFSURNBIlV4/edit?tab=t.0

Storyboard Description
1. Young lady is lifting dumbbells inside of the gym
2. She frowns as she gets easily distracted and unmotivated whenever weight lifting
3. A gym staff hands her the interactive dumbbell
4. Now she smiles as the changing colors and the goal to get to green, keeps her focused on the workout reps and motivated to complete it

Tashea’s Final Project Proposals

Concept 1

Problem:
Babies cry a lot during diaper change. I’m unsure why, but it happens very often as we need to keep them clean. Nonetheless, its unpleasant and anxiety inducing for the caregiver/parent (especially a new parent), as the baby can get extremely loud.

Solution:
A diaper light. This is a sound light box that changes color based on how loud the baby cries. It’s meant to look visually appealing as away to calm the anxiety of the caregiver/parent during diaper change.

Concept 2

Problem: Need motivation to keep working out while at gym, but you don’t have a trainer.

Solution: Arduino yellow, green and red interactive dumbbell. This is meant to help you keep going during your weight lifting exercises. The aim is to get to the color green.

Wakanda Vibranium Spear

Drag icon left and right

Overview

This the progress I’ve made so far with the spear. A completed product and professional image to come soon!

I love how the light turned out! The light effect is meant to fade from purple to blue when the button is press as a way to replicate the fight scenes in Wakanda.

Challenges

Soldering has been my worse enemy, but biggest lesson thus far. Due to the fact that I needed the wires to fit inside of the PVC pipe and thread a button and usb I had to make sure my connections were very strong.

Takeaways

Writing your code, and creating the physical product are equally as important and both require just about the same time. You must leave time for error . Also always over compensate with materials!!

PS- Sorry Lauren! I used your desk for a a short time. I cleaned up right after 🙂

Tashea’s Halloween Costumes

This year’s costume is Black Panther themed. I’m a huge fan of the film so I’m looking forward to recreating one of the movie props.

Idea 1 – Wakanda Spear
I’m interested in creating blue lights surrounding the tip of the spear like depicted in the image below.

Idea 2 – Shuri’s earrings
I love these teeth shaped earrings and her entire fit! As shown in my sketch I’d illuminate the base of the earrings.

Idea 3 – Shuri’s earrings
Okoye’s necklace I think is very detailed and would also be a really cool prop to bring to life.

LED Lights

Heart Letter Plushie

Outcome:
These are the early evolution stages of the multi layered “birthday love notes” for my nephew. Using red thread on white cotton fabric, I embroidered the messages for his first day on earth, and then for his year.

Me delirious and happy with my connections, after soldering for way longer than I’d like to admit.

Challenges:
Originally I wanted type on velvet fabric, but because my velvet fabric has a stretchy nature to it, it absorbed the ink when printed on the UV printer, and it entangled the thread on the embroidered machine. See examples below (embroidery to the left, uv printing to the right)

Next Steps:
Overall I’m not thrilled about the outcome, but I’m really happy about the process. During the process, I learned for the first time how to connect four led lights, how to sew on the sewing machine, embroidery, and uv printing.

I want to create a solution that will allow me to remove each layers meanwhile keeping the form, light, and all the other layers intact. I also wish to add seven layers and more lights.

Ta-Shea’s Love Letter Night Light Proposal

This plush night light is a series of love letters to my unborn nephew.

The intention is for the toy to change as he grows. No matter how old he gets this “toy” stays with him.

So each year on his birthday he removes a layer of fabric revealing the current year’s positive affirmation or/ life lesson I want to “pass down to him” 

The heart shaped pillow will have 18 layers of fabric celebrating the first 18 years of his life.

Examples of love notes for the first 3 birthdays❤️ ⬇️

Found examples/inspo for font and the night light heart object ❤️ ⬇️

ZTE Teardown

Tools: Phillips and flathead precision screwdriver

Step 1: Opened the back of phone, and removed the battery

Step 2: Used Phillips and flathead precision screwdriver to remove all screws on the back of phone

Step 3: Removed camera and microsd card

Step 4: Used screwdriver to lift off back, which revealed the wiring and a very strange smell 🤨

Takeaway: It was interesting to see how many moving parts there are within such a small device. I’ve always been curious as to what exactly are the components allowing us to view images, make a call, save data… Doing this experiment has certainly piqued my interest even more than before.

Former DJ Brown Sugaahh

I’m Ta-shea, I’m multidisciplinary designer originally from Kingston, Jamaica. After receiving my BFA from The Cooper Union, I began my design career at Champions Design in NY, and shortly after began teaching design at the Lower Eastside Girls Club.

Love people, love design is my motto. I’m passionate about creating work that brings forth change and uplift communities. For the last three years I’ve aided nonprofit organizations throughout New York in brand development and strategy design to boost their fundraising and membership growth.

Outside of design, I’m an avid explorer and fitness junkie. I hike, roller skate, swim, weight lift, box and so much more ! I recently competed in my first 5k run, and by the end of the year I hope to compete in a Spartan obstacle race. Oh yea, I’m positively competitive! I also loovee to dance and play music in my down time. My favorite spot in Brooklyn to let loose is Bembe!

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