Category: F2023 – Mang

Concept:

The inspiration for this assignment came from a common problem: phone distractions while studying. I wanted to create a practical solution to keep my phone away during study sessions. To achieve this, I decided to make a phone stand with a built-in switch. When my phone is placed on the stand, the switch activates, turning on a red LED. This serves as a visual cue to remind me that it’s time to concentrate on my studies.

Process & Highlights:

1. Materials Used: I gathered a few basic materials for this project, including a resistor, a red LED, foil paper and copper tape.
2. Circuit Design: I sketched a simple circuit with a switch schema using these components. Then, I have made a simple circuit without a switch as we have done in class. And then, I have added my phone stand switch to the circuit.
3. Switch Mechanism: To implement the switch, I used foil paper and copper tape. I used foil paper on the phone stand, connecting it to the circuit board. Copper tape was used to connect arduino UNO board and my phone. When I set my phone on the stand, the foil paper came into contact with the copper tape, effectively closing the circuit.

Reflection:

This assignment was a practical learning experience that reinforced my understanding of circuit and switch mechanisms. I think my implementation provided an effective solution to the issue of phone distractions during study sessions by using a simple LED cue.

 

For the unusual switch assignment, I have decided to utilize a keychain and a shot glass to create an unusual switch. The idea is that you signify that you are done drinking by closing the shot glass with the sombrero keychain on top. Because both items have conductive materials, the LED turns on after the shot glass that is connected with a jumper wire touches the keychain that also has another jumper wire attached to it. The result can be seen in the video:

Although that is an extremely simple concept, I had fun brainstorming until I came up with this. The visuals are also not the most pleasing since only tape was used, but my main concern was with the concept itself.

Preface: I realize that my idea ended up being more of a tech demo than a cool idea. Sorry!

Concept

My project was inspired off this tweet I saw. They were using a Wemos D1 Mini microchip which has a Wi-Fi module on it and can act as an access point ( other devices can connect to it ), and using the Wi-Fi capture portal to display a message/article/book/image/video ( up to 4MB ) to anyone who connects to it. I thought it was fascinating so I ordered the chip from Amazon and was playing with it, when I thought I could rig it up to the Arduino and use it as an unusual switch.

It ended up being more of a technical exploration than a artistic exploration, as I found that using microchips outside of the Arduino UNO we were provided was a little more challenging as not everything is available out of the box.

Implementation

 

Video Demo

My implementation was pretty simple — when you connect to the network, it will toggle the state of the LED between on and off, and the webpage that you see reflects that. There could have been more interesting applications of the switch, for example adding a Wi-Fi password so that the switch is only usable by certain users, or adding some HTML inputs to the webpage so that the LED is controllable from the webpage without having to disconnect/reconnect. Even if you’re in a receptionless area, this switch will still work ( as the chip is hosting it’s own Wi-Fi network, you do not need a network connection to use it ).

Reflections

Will try to do less tech-demo-ey projects for my future physical computing projects sorry!!!

Concept:
For this assignment, I wanted to set up something automated. You see, in my dorm room, I’ve got these cool, colorful LED lights that I like to switch on when it gets dark. But here’s the thing: I often turn them on when I close the window by my bed. That got me thinking: why not connect the LED with the window? So, I came up with a simple idea. Now, when I close the window, the LED light automatically pops on. And when I open the window, it goes off. It’s like a little automation trick to make my room feel cozy without me even lifting a finger.

Process:
I’ve put together a basic circuit here. It’s pretty straightforward – just one resistor and one light bulb. I connected the wires and fixed a little coin to the end of each wire. At the bottom of the window, I stuck a sheet of aluminum foil. When I shut the window, those two coins make contact with the foil, and that’s when the circuit completes. The light bulb lights up when they touch the foil.

Video of implementation:

Reflections:
This assignment was so fun and I really liked that I did something that is very interesting for me. The only problem I encountered was attaching the board to the window, but I managed to solve it in no time. Another aspect that could be improved is the choice of materials. I used basic items like coins and aluminum foil, which I believe may not be the most suitable options for projects like this.

This project took a while for me to wrap my head around mostly because of the stipulation: creative and unusual, I guess I was overthinking what classifies as unusual and what does not. I realise that the prompt specifies no use of hands but for some reason I interpreted that as no use of hands to regularly trigger a button/ switch etc., as a means to activate the led… so hopefully my simple project still qualifies. I interpreted the light to embody a positive emotion since it radiated a warm and homey glow. I wanted to connect this to a meaningful something whilst making it so that it could act as a switch, and with my sleep-deprived brain, this really stumped me. The only viable “something” I could think of was relating this “switch mechanism” to the arts, which I’m moderately passionate about. And naturally this transformed and manifested into the idea of using scissors as a switch.

https://youtube.com/shorts/cSCZFdWsqJQ?feature=share

The whole circuit itself was not too difficult to create – it consisted of a green light, ground wire, resistor, a red wire and 2 more wires to connect from the breadboard to the scissors. The one thing I will say is that I had no no conductive tape or aluminium foil and so I had to make do with using normal tape to wind the wires to their appropriate positions on the scissors. Because of this, it wasn’t too reliable since the wires were prone to shifting, and so ultimately it would’ve worked better through use of a more stable medium. Whilst I’m happy about this assignment, I do have doubts on the “creativity” aspect. I also propose a more meaningful and idea-wise, stronger alternative. Perhaps I could’ve attached aluminium foils/ conductive tape to my chest and hand. Whenever I would place my hand over my heart, the led would light up.

Concept

Since the assignment was to create a switch that didn’t rely on using hands, I came up with the idea of using feet instead. The way this switch operates is that when your feet, covered in socks, make contact with each other, it triggers the LED to light up. I love collecting cute socks, so I thought it would be a fun and an entertaining feature to have the socks themselves light up when they come into contact with one another.

Demonstration

This is how the switch works:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wJUOS9xvNBDc9PbyCIyS2xbPuY8vBTjv/view?usp=share_link

This is the setup of the switch:

Process & Highlights 

The components used in constructing this switch include an LED, wires, an Arduino Uno, a breadboard, aluminum foil, tape, a resistor, and a pair of socks. The setup employs a basic series circuit configuration, featuring an LED and a resistor. To increase the contact area, I used aluminum foil to cover the wire ends attached to the socks. When these wire connections on the socks come into contact with each other, it activates the LED, causing it to illuminate.

Reflections

I thoroughly enjoyed working on this assignment, and there’s definitely ample space for additional creativity. One exciting idea is to attach wires at various points on the socks and incorporate multiple LED lights in different colors. This way, diverse foot movements would trigger various colored LEDs, adding another exciting layer to the experience.

 

Emotion & Attractive

I thoroughly enjoyed this article as it underscores the significance of both user-friendliness and visual appeal. The author also acknowledges the importance of human interaction with products and a comprehensive design approach. In today’s context, the visual attractiveness of a product holds the potential to substantially enhance the overall user experience.

Don Norman doesn’t exhibit bias in this reading. He places value on usability and functionality while also recognizing the necessity of beauty and enjoyment in design. This well-rounded perspective is crucial as it demonstrates the complexity of human interaction with products and the need for a holistic design approach.

This reading has reinforced my belief in the importance of aesthetics within design. While functionality and usability remain pivotal, the aesthetic charm of a product can significantly elevate the user’s experience and satisfaction. This is especially relevant in today’s landscape, where numerous options are available, and a product’s visual appeal can truly set it apart. This reading also prompted me to question: How can designers strike the right balance between usability and aesthetics?

Her Code Got Humans on the Moon—And Invented Software Itself

The article offers a captivating glimpse into the formative years of software engineering and the substantial impact Margaret Hamilton had on the Apollo space program. It’s fascinating to observe how Hamilton’s efforts served as the foundation for the evolution of software engineering and how her groundbreaking ideas continue to influence the field to this day.

I found this article particularly appealing because it underscores Hamilton’s exceptional status as one of the few women working in the tech and engineering fields. This resonates with me as a computer science student because I’ve observed a distinct gender disparity in my classes and at internships, with a significantly higher number of male students compared to their female counterparts. The article also touches upon the challenges Hamilton faced as a working mother and a programmer in the space industry, as people questioned her ability to balance her career with motherhood. However, it was during one of the instances when her daughter inadvertently interacted with a keyboard and caused a simulator crash that proved to be of immense value. This incident played a crucial role in bringing the astronauts safely back to Earth after Jim Lovell selected P01 during a flight. By showcasing Hamilton’s achievements and contributions, the article challenges conventional gender roles and stereotypes. It highlights the significance of acknowledging and celebrating the accomplishments of women in the software development field.

Reading this article undeniably increased my understanding of the important roles played by early software engineers like Hamilton. In our current era of highly sophisticated software, it can be easy to forget the pioneers who established the groundwork for these remarkable advancements.

 

concept:

These days, there is this board in D2 with cardboard cutouts that mention ways to eat sustainably. I coincidentally happened to pay attention to the board right after our last IM class, which gave me an idea – a switch that lights up when the cutlery touches the plate. The premise is that if you get a portion proportional to your appetite, and are then able to finish your food (the cutlery touching the plate), the LED lights up.

implementation video

process:

It is a simple series circuit consisting of an LED and a resistor. I used aluminum foil on the base of the plate and the spoon so that a larger surface area is conductive. whenever the spoon makes contact with the plate, the circuit completes and the LED lights up. I used a green LED to indicate successful completion of a meal.

reflections:

There is certainly room for improvement. I didn’t try it out with actual food, so I’m not sure if the food content would actually affect the way the switch works. Also, the foil doesn’t actually cover the length of the plate. Because of this, even though it technically *works* it doesn’t capture the essence of the concept fully. In addition, I’d also love to improve the visuals of the project, because the aluminum foil and tape do make it look a bit tacky.

The piece by Dan Norman aptly captures my response to reading The Design of Everyday Things, which I had brought up in class discussions as well, and this story of the three teapots in Emotion & Design is a perfect follow up to his story about the artistic but inconvenient doors in his previous work. “Pleasurable designs are not necessarily usable. But need these attributes be in conflict? Why not beauty and brains, pleasure and usability?” I would consider myself a proponent of beautiful design, but I am also a regular user of everyday things, and I care about their usability. What Dan Norman says, and I agree, is that “design matters, but which design is preferable depends on the occasion, the context, and above all, my mood.” There need not be a race between aesthetics and utility. In fact, I like nice design so much that I occasionally go on the Museum of Modern Art online store website just to look at pretty things. This $315 lamp or this $140 side table are probably not setting utility standards for any other lamps or side tables, but they’re beautiful, and I am glad someone designed them.

Also, Norman’s discussion of the system of affective thinking was agreeable, and quite therapeutic to be honest. I can appreciate how it can be taken as a lens for looking at life in general. If the affective system works independently of thought, as he claims, then I can attribute unstructured or neurotic thoughts to the neurochemicals that “bathe” my relevant brain centers, affecting the way I “perceive, decide, and react.” Norman also offers his solution: affective reactions can be overcome with time and practice. This, he says, requires patience, and taking agency over your thought process. This too, then, is not a race, since anything that requires patience by definition cannot be done in haste. To learn to have healthy thoughts is to learn to be patient.