Category: Works in Progress/Proposals

Prototype circuit:

Form: I want to create a sleeve or case for the universal lighter shape, that you can slip onto your lighter. The case includes light & a wind shield so that you can use the lighter in the dark and in windy enviornments.

Supply List:

• Fabric? Acrylic? for the casing of the lighter that has the LED light embedded
• PLA 3d Printed wind shield
• 3-4 neopixels
• Gemma

Project Documentation: Opt 1 (advertisement)

Display the Issue- 2 people gathered around trying to light a cigarette at night. One person exclaims that they cannot see where to direct the light, and the flame keeps going out. capture the frustration of this experience

Pans to third person, who has just lit up their cig. They notice the frustration and offer their lighter. The two others marvel at the ease of this product

The third person describes how to make this lighter sleeve while other two listen intently.

Final frame: Name of Product & Tagline

Opt 2 (storytelling)

Display the Issue – I am trying to light a cig outside and it is not working with the wind and low visibility

Time lapses of me working on each step of the process

Final Product detail shots

I display the ease of use in an action shot

SCRIPT/VIDEO DIRECTION:

TINKERCAD:

CODE:

Google Doc Outline:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fxv2JV_zV7vKjO96By5DWbdDSNjx4SEfDw-MUxiPepE/edit?usp=sharing

Instructables Profile:

https://www.instructables.com/member/jimmy17pjm/?publicPreview=true

Project Video Storyboard

1. Static shot of the Bloom Timer Vase sits off-center.
2. Close-up of the vase. Seeing the 3D-printed texture clearly. The flower is currently fully retracted inside.
3. User enters frame, sits at the desk, places a notebook and phone down. Their hand adjusts the vase slightly, bringing it into their “working zone.”
4. Over-the-shoulder shot: the user simply places their phone down near the vase, then cut to the flower just beginning to rise a little.
5. A sequence showing time passing while the flower grows.
6. Hero close-up of the flower fully extended, petals open. The user’s hands pause on the keyboard and then relax.
7. The user gently lifts the vase off the desk. As soon as it leaves the surface, the flower smoothly retracts back into the vase.
8. The user sets the vase down again. The top is now flat with flower hidden. User smiles slightly or takes a breath, ready for the next block.
9. (Display Mode Button)Close-up of a discreet button on the vase or nearby base. The user presses it. Cut to shot of flower rising smoothly to full height and staying there.
10. Stylized “beauty shots” of the fully bloomed flower in Display Mode, in different contexts.
11. Quick peek inside: a semi-transparent CGI overlay showing the servo and linkage moving as the flower rises.

Prototype Picture

Tinkercad Circuit

https://www.tinkercad.com/things/0gpysa2250K-inner-thoughts

I had a tough time with the homework because it used a feather huzzah instead of a nano. I tried to build a circuit on Tinkercad but it didn’t work. Definitely need some help with this.

Supplies

1. Arduino Nano ESP32
2. OLED/TFT/LED screen (not sure which to use)
3. Two- way mirror sheet (Canal plastics)
4. Shadow Box
5. Push Button
6. Jumper Wires
7. Arduino Nano ESP32 USBC-C Cable
8. USB Power Bank
9. Adhesive Materials

Storyboard Description

1. Opening shot of The Mirror – Close up of the Mirror in a dark room
2. Shot of the back – Show the components and what’s inside
3. Close up shot of all the components. Describe how everything works.
4. Actor comes up to mirror and presses the button. The mirror shows an “inner thought”.
5. User presses the button several times to show different thoughts.
6. Cut to google sheet with all different inner thoughts written
7. Montage of inner thoughts showing up
8. Closing shot as actor reflects on prompts

Google Doc link with outline

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dx3xzKe8P4qd0ru6EDVjI5jKFFf4GnEXJolOEcZFxNk/edit?usp=sharing

Instructables Profile

https://www.instructables.com/member/rpunjabi

I do have a lot to get done but hopefully I’ll be able to clear my doubts with Becky this week!

Thank you!

For my final project I’d like to create a prototype of an idea I came up with for Allan’s Affirming Artifact’s class — a light up shoe that guides users towards their destination.

The shoe would have neopixel lights to indicate directions left, right and forward — receivng push notifications from a users google maps on their phone.

While the wiring is simple I believe the Arduino nano will also need to have a bluetooth receiver for this to work.

While I’m skeptical about whether it will be feasible to push directions to the Arduino nano using Apple Shortcuts I believe that in the lowest functionality case I can still program a set of prewritten signals to demo the shoe and maybe create a fake map interface that it corresponds to.

Materials I will need for this are the Nano, Neopixels, and a 3D Printed housing to diffuse the neopixel lights. I am still configuring what I will need to receive signal and also how to know whether the user is moving forward with a compass of some sorts that corresponds to map direction as the Neopixel will likely be able to receive data but not push it back to maps.

For my final project, I have decided to narrow down on an IoT conditioning mirror. I want the mirror to trigger deeper thinking and really make you reconsider how mirrors have made us view ourselves.

I was inspired to create a mirror based off of my project for Allan’s class – in which I created a website and app that reminds you of the conditioning of society through horror and then finds ways to unlearn and remember who you are. With this project, I want to take that one step further by creating a mirror that flickers when you approach it, and whispers different societal expectations on you. I think this kind of acts like a way to materialize how many of us view ourselves daily and how we can start to rethink looking at ourselves in the mirror.

Parts

This is the parts list I got off of Chatgpt since I’m not really sure how to bring this to life at the moment.

ESP32 DevKit V1

PIR sensor (HC-SR501)

DFPlayer Mini

3W 8Ω speaker

Micro SD card

Breadboard + jumper wires

One-way mirror acrylic or mirror film

LED strip (WS2812B)

USB power bank or 5V adapter

For my next steps, I do want to research this more and talk to Becky and find a way to materialize this concept.

Thank you!

Objective:
Design and create an innovative, minimalist bookmark that enhances the reading experience using subtle, sensory-driven tech. The project aims to explore how a smart bookmark can help readers focus and enjoy the reading experience, with limited distractions. The bookmark itself will be delightful to handle and look at, but is secondary to the book itself.

Features & Functionality:

• Minimalist Form: The bookmark has a clean, geometric design for visual and ergonomic appeal
• Slim Profile: Components are chosen for their thin form factor, ensuring the bookmark will fit comfortably in a book
• Touch or Pressure Sensor: Hidden within the surface or as a slim button on the surface, a pressure or touch sensor detects when the book is opened, automatically activating the LED (and potentially other digital functions).
• LED Light Sphere: A soft-glowing LED sphere at the top of the bookmark provides a gentle ambient light cue when the bookmark is in use.
• Scent Pad (?): A discreet vent holds a scent pad, which adds to the sensory experience

Potential Additions:

• Wireless connectivity (with ESP32 or similar) to trigger playlist playback or DND mode on your phone when reading.

Design Notes:

• Materials and interface are chosen to create a product that feels technical yet pleasing

Next Steps:

• Finalize component list
• Start thinking about code
• More sketching
• Create digital and physical 3D prototypes

Parts

• Arduino ESP32 (if Bluetooth/Wi-Fi or ultra slim is needed)
• Standalone Momentary Capacitive Touch Sensor Breakout – AT42QT1010
• LED (https://www.adafruit.com/product/1621)
• LED Enclosure (like small ping pong ball, paper lantern?)
• Resistors
• Breadboard+ Jumper Wires
• Battery (Coin Cell Holder, LiPo, or USB Power)
• Enclosure Materials (Acrylic/Plastic/Cardstock)
• Felt Pads + Scent Source

Tools

• Soldering Iron
• Wire Cutters/Strippers
• Hot Glue Gun

Sample Arduino IDE Code for ESP32 Touch Sensor & LED

ESP32 uses the touchRead() function, which is straightforward and highly sensitive.

// ESP32 Bookmark: Touch pad turns LED ON when NOT touched (book open)
const int touchPin = T0; // Touch pin (e.g., GPIO 4; see ESP32 pinout)
const int ledPin = 4; // LED pin (GPIO 4, use any available GPIO)

int threshold = 30; // Set experimentally; touchRead() value when not touched is higher

void setup() {
pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
Serial.begin(115200); // Optional: For debugging
}

void loop() {
int touchValue = touchRead(touchPin);
Serial.println(touchValue); // For calibration

if (touchValue > threshold) {
// Not touched (book open)
digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); // LED ON
} else {
// Touched (book closed)
digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW); // LED OFF
}
}

‘Mine-crafted life’

Progress

Updated TinkerCAD Circuit link
https://www.tinkercad.com/things/39yYl1YGqdN-halloween-tinkering

Updated Code for Gemma

Soldering physical circuit

Physical circuit running code

Process photos of the Box

T0-Do list

• Painting the pixels on acrylic
• Make remaining components (top and bottom of the head, severed neck and handle out of chipboard)
• Gluing the structure together
• Final assembly of the prop

Thank you!

Code so far

Code so far

https://www.tinkercad.com/things/lXdeY3hHK02-visual-rain-stick