Works in Progress/Proposals – Page 7

Sofia’s Fish Synth (Update)

CassioBlog 2 – The Fish Synth

So you want to build your own synth? But you know nothing about music, soldering, or laser-cutting… well you came to the right place! Welcome to the Fish Synth Docs… a step by step tutorial for the Fish Synth! It comes with a strap so you can take your awesome synth on-the-go with you to all your events!

It comes with one dial, buttons to control the sounds, and a keyboard! It also has a plug that can connect pedals to your synth to create a daisy-chain effect!

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

I do not have the exact circuit diagram yet, but this video illustrates a circuit that will be very similar to my final one.

MATERIALS

Daisy Seed
1. https://electro-smith.com/products/daisy-seed
Breadboard
2 Dials
4 Buttons
2 Jacks (1 for computer, 1 for pedal)
LaserCut Material / Wood (OR CARDBOARD!!!!)
Fabric / Bag Strap
Arduino
Speaker

FISH SYNTH DOCS

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W0-eHwBJVBVMbLhxn2xCbMTPiduavZ2mpNqcAj_7g00/edit?usp=sharing

INSTRUCTABLES

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

PROJECT VIDEO STRUCTURE

The issue I had with most of the videos is that they would explain without showing what they are talking about, or the video would just show the building process. I wanted to combine these two video styles.

1. Show All Materials Laid Out and Overlay Final Product

(HAVE BREADBOARD AND EVERYTHING CLEARLY IN FRAME)

2. Have DIY Music Playing in Background

3. Start with Introduction and Explain all Materials

4. Explain each step in detail and have graphics on the video as well

5. Put all the separate parts together

6. Show Final Product

7. Outro

Intro -> Show Materials -> 1 Min Quick Sped Up Building -> Dive into Explanation -> Show Final Product -> Outro

Ana’s Long Distance Hug Plush

[NOTE: name pending]

Long Time, No Hug!

For my final project, I will be creating a plush toy meant for long-distance hugs! Everyone has someone they miss. Maybe it’s distance, maybe it’s conflicting schedules, but seeing loved ones in adulthood is hard.

What’s my story?

My parents are divorced, and my mom ended up moving back to LA, where she and her family first immigrated to the US. All of her family is there and her mom is getting older. I’m so happy she moved there to be with her family, but also we miss each other so much it hurts sometimes. In my opinion, there is no cure like a mother’s hug.

I’ll be visiting my mother in December for the holidays and her birthday, and I thought it would be nice to be able to give her a special, handmade gift built with love. She is also getting surgery when I’m visiting, and I won’t be able to hug her this time around (BIG BUMMER!) so I will be able to take these plushies and absolutely SQUEEZE them whenever I need a mama cuddle.

Below is a prototype circuit for my final project:

[NOTE: I will not have a vibration motor in the final diagram]

Shopping List:

Electronics:

Fabric:

My Instructables Account: https://www.instructables.com/member/caghjayan/

My Instructables Google Doc Draft: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kiAaUb0MJ6gF6SpPkAyfUxLOBQCFguUcOG4YChD7JJU/edit?usp=sharing

Here are some inspo pics for my plushies:

My mom’s and my favorite animals, so believe it or not, I’ve chosen the two least complicated animals to make!

Here are my current sketches for looks and patterns:

How do I imagine my product video looks like?

The video will probably follow a story of missing someone and showcasing the feeling of not being able to hug them. In the video, we will showcase this product being introduced to the long-distance pair. I want to highlight the LED screen showing messages and the hug count going up, as well as displaying the happy nature this product will give after each hug AND showing how good it feels on the receiving end as well.

What are my next steps?

Finalize Instructables document
Shoot project video

Monty’s Ferry Schedule Ticker – WIP

My idea has been revised to create a ticker for the home that displays the current schedule of the East River Ferry in NYC.

The user in this case is my boyfriend ❤️ who takes the ⛴️ ferry with our 🐕 dog to his workplace everyday. The value prop? He can glance over at the ferry times in the morning and can get ready quicker and without the use of his cellphone in the mornings at all! What a great way to start the day 🙂

Inspo:

Image source.

Prototype circuit and form

Here’s a sketch of what I’m envisioning for the encasement, using corrugated wavy plastic (it’s giving waves!) for the top and bottom of the box, and acrylic sheets for the sides.

It will have to be a fairly thin box to fit on the side-shelf of the desk in the office, which feels like the best place for it in our house. If I can’t find corrugated plastic that I like, I will make the whole box out of frosted acrylic from Canal Plastics using a tab and slot method (see second drawing). I also like the triangle formation and might move in that direction (I need to grab the dimensions of our shelf and check some angles out this week before creating the vector diagram for the laser cutter).

For the circuit, Adafruit supplies (listed above and in my doc) have been ordered. I also just realized that I’m missing the button in my diagram above, and I have to update my diagram.

I’m also starting to explore the code here using this resource as a baseline
(-> https://www.hackster.io/ericBcreator/1024-led-matrix-wifi-message-board-with-menu-web-interface-1b2666) and Becky’s help!

My Google Doc draft tutorial:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ve_EmIc0rhf3G6LIEIOIoHzqF_URn0q_YEYLMiaOCH4/edit?tab=t.0

My Instructables profile: https://www.instructables.com/member/mpreston21

My Instructables draft preview: https://www.instructables.com/preview/E8JUASDM3OGT4BJ/

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

Qianyue’s Neon meow light progress

I’ve decided to dive deeper into the neon light idea. I’m planning to create a neon ambient lamp for the bedroom in the shape of a cat. This way, it feels like a little cat is always there keeping you company, adding a touch of warmth and charm to the space.

Materials List:

Flexible LED neon light strip (suitable for a cat shape) https://www.amazon.com/ALITOVE-Addressable-Decorative-Lighting-Controller/dp/B07WHT2VKK/#customerReviews
Acrylic board
LED strip controller and power adapter
hot glue gun or 3D print (maybe)
Wire clips or fasteners
Electrical wires and soldering tools

My google doc：https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c3bapVlA8K-IOAA1fMP_HlSzHjJg3MzD6iVXl7D36qQ/edit?usp=sharing

My instructables：https://www.instructables.com/member/Qianyue%20Zhou/

Eva’s Final Process

Sound-Activated Library Desk Lamp

This project aims to create a sound-activated desk lamp that is installed on each study desk in a library. The lamp will automatically turn off when the noise level exceeds a certain threshold, signaling that the environment is no longer conducive to studying.

How It Works:

The desk lamp is equipped with a sound sensor that continuously monitors the noise level in its surroundings.
When the ambient noise reaches a preset threshold (e.g., 60 dB), indicating that the noise level is too high for a quiet study environment, the lamp will automatically turn off.
If the noise level falls below the threshold, the lamp remains on, encouraging quiet study behavior.

Target Audience:
This lamp is designed for library environments, helping maintain a quiet atmosphere for students and readers. It will act as both a practical lighting solution and a subtle reminder for people to keep noise levels low.

1. Electronic Components

Single LED
Sound sensor module (e.g., KY-038 or LM393)
Arduino board (e.g., Arduino Uno or Arduino Nano)
220Ω resistor
Breadboard
Dupont wires
Power adapter or Battery (5V)
Button or switch (for manual control)

2. 3D Printing and Mechanical Components

3D printing material (PLA, ABS, or PETG)
LED holder/base (3D printed)
Screws and nuts
Hot glue or super glue
3D printed stand

3. Tools

Soldering iron and solder
Battery holder
Wire cutter or wire stripper

Sige’s “There’s Always Sunshine” Light Progress

About the Light

“There’s Always Sunshine” light is an UV sensing LED light. It’s for people with seasonal affective disorder. The light will work as when the sun goes down / when it’s cloudy or rainy (no sun out), it lights up (tbd if the light intensity changes with the amount of UV light detected. A button can control if the sun rotates. I want to make this light to remind people that there’s always sunshine.

Circuit Diagram

Video Description

Video 1 will be a step by step progress of how to make the light.

Video 2 will be the story of the light: Girl is happy in her living room because it’s soaked with sunshine. She goes to make coffee, when she returns, it’s cloudy outsite and suddenly she’s sad. Then she notices the Sunshine light in her living room is lit. This makes her happy again and she can focus on work now.

Google Doc Project Tutorial Outline

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hzzM9REaO9-qtylUiCALcaeAId5oytAz00R_OE658lM/edit?usp=sharin

Instructables

Profile: https://www.instructables.com/member/Sige+Zheng/

Rida’s Final Project Proposal (Updated)

*Updated Idea

I want to move away from utilitarian features and embrace a “less is more” philosophy to create something beautiful. Specifically, I’m drawn to the idea of crafting a round wall sculpture with a light source (narrow or wide) that slowly glides along the inner perimeter of the frame. I believe there’s a certain truth in this specific movement and aim to evoke a sense of calm and timelessness.

Here are my brainstorming drawings (very abstract) that explore the location of the light source, featured objects, light and shade, etc. I’m particularly fond of the fifth idea at the central bottom. It’s a flat, round wall decor piece with a light-colored frame. It features a base layer of light blue (made out of acrylic/ painted canvas/ wood/ another material) and a transparent layer of acrylic engraved with leaf veins. The concept involves a single light source on the inner perimeter that either physically moves around or creates this illusion with an LED strip. I also plan to hand paint transparent relief paste/ UV resin on top of the laser engraing to enhance the texture of leaf veins.

To enhance interaction, I plan to integrate a sound sensor that increases brightness when it’s noisy and decreases it when it’s quiet.

Problem Addressed/ Purpose of Making

Life in NYC is stressful; I miss the greenery of nature, and my meditation time is plummeting. I want to create an unconventional piece of house decor that can help me regain focus at home. The decor’s calming look symbolizes harmony; the gliding light will be a powerful tool for focus and meditation. Its smart reaction to ambient sound levels makes me feel connected to the space’s mood

_______________________________________________

*Previous Ideas

Split-Flap Clothing Palette Selector

A split flap clothes selector. It is attached to a gesture sensor and has three color wheels layered on top of each other, spinning independently on the same motor. The idea is I take pictures of my tops/ bottoms/ accessories and print them out on the color wheel, every time before I head out, I wave at the selector to help me pick a random (and hopefully good) outfit combination.

https://www.instructables.com/Split-Flap-Display

Low-Light Alert Police Beacon

A police beacon with an LDR sensor on top that starts screaming whenever its surrounding gets too dark. It can be used to alert poor lighting in our studio.

https://projecthub.arduino.cc/krishna_agarwal/arduino-diy-led-control-with-ldr-sensor-photoresistor-fa011f

Clean Desk Protector with Radar

A radar sensor setup to keep my desk area free of random objects. The idea is to use an Arduino radar sensor that scans the space and alerts me whenever anything out of place enters the zone. To avoid picking up hands or other moving objects, I might need an extra heat sensor to ignore any skin detection, etc. (Not totally sure if one sensor will cut it or if I’ll need a combo). (personal least favorite idea)

https://projecthub.arduino.cc/nimishac/ultrasonic-radar-with-arduino-19baa3

Lauren’s Final Project Proposal

I really struggled with this weeks homework, I haven’t been feeling very creative lately and honestly I am not the biggest fan of any of my ideas… but here they are anyway.

My first idea and the one I guess I feel the most strongly about is this wall art light thing that lights up when you walk in the room so you don’t feel like you are coming home to a dark apartment. Here are my sketches, I also made a quick prototype because I have a very hard time describing its function (I will bring it to class).

I’m hoping the function of the light is feasible.

My second idea is a light that sits in your bedroom or I guess in any room you want it, and it signifies the time of day based on its colours. So in the morning it will be a bright white/yellow to let your brain know it is time to be awake and active, when it is approaching the night it starts to shift to a more red light to communicate its time to start winding down. Innovative… I know….

Here is the sketch.

For my third and final idea, I was thinking of making a insulated travel mug that detects the liquid inside the mug and displays a light ring around where the liquid is at so you don’t accidentally drink too much. Typically these travel mugs are not translucent and contain a lid, I frequently spill on myself with these types of cups.

Anyways let me know your thoughts 🙂

Carmel Final project proposal

For my final project I would like to design a light box that can be made from scrap parts. This light is to go along with an online show I do called “Dumpster Fire” which takes ‘video scraps’ from other filmmakers and media artists and edits them together to form an episode that is a mix of essay film/experimental film/video art.

Link to information about the show: https://carmeldeberg.myportfolio.com/dumpster-fire-online-show

I would like to write a code to go along with each episode that is a designed light show. The light box being made from scrap parts and evoking a dumpster would be a nice way to tie it in to the process of the show.

Some inspiration on how I could achieve different lighting effects with ‘garbage’: