These readings made me think about how much pressure I put on myself to be “original.” Tom Igoe’s point that most interactive ideas have already been done was strangely comforting. It made me realize that creativity isn’t about inventing something entirely new , it’s about doing something familiar in a way that feels personal. My projects don’t have to be revolutionary; they just have to feel like mine.
What stood out most to me was his idea of stepping back and letting the audience take over. I tend to over-explain my work, wanting people to understand what I meant. But maybe it’s more powerful to just let them interact and form their own meaning. Igoe’s “set the stage, then shut up and listen” line hit hard , it’s something I need to apply not only to my projects but to how I share them.
These readings reminded me that physical computing is not just about sensors or LEDs. It’s about trust , trusting that the user will understand, trusting the materials to behave, and trusting myself to stop editing and just let the work breathe.