Module 1 Formstorming

Weekly Activity Template

Yawen Qiao: This activity we explored design and thinking in relation to circuits. By using paper and lights and conductive copper tape to create interesting designs.

Project 1

Module 1

This week we explored activities related to paper circuits. Creative designs were made using conductive copper tape and different colored lights. Make paper designs interesting by using different circuits and lights. In addition, I used different conductive tools to try different presentations.

Activity 1

This is a lantern display designed after setting up the circuit.

Different line designs for various circuits.

Circuit diagram with six lights (a couple didn't light up because of lack of energy)

Adding the lantern design to the lamp makes the whole picture interesting. (It will be slow after pulling off the cloth on the left)

Lantern design. (Putting the cloth between the batteries will isolate the power)

Circuit display. (After adding the cloth, it will isolate the power supply.)

Traffic light design. (There is a fading light up effect when the cloth is added to the back)

The internal circuit of the traffic light cover design is shown.

Intersectable linear reciprocal circuits. (three lights)

Interoperable linear interoperable circuits. (THREE LIGHTS)

Interoperable circular circuits. (LIGHT UP VERSION)

Interactable looping circuit. (Lights out version)

Activity 2

This week we looked at real-life applications of interactive circuits. There are many ways to interact in everyday life. Adding circuits and indicators can make actions more visible and meaningful. Here I try out five interactive ideas and circuit sketches.

Here's an idea for a reminder light for door locks. I think this is more useful in real life.

Here's the wiring diagram for the door lock. It is a movable wiring.

This is when it is unlocked and the light is not on.

This is when it is locked and the light is on.

This is a diagram I drew to show how to use it. You can see he interactive circuitry.

Here's the wiring diagram schematic for the refrigerator. It is a moveable interactive wiring.

This is a simulation of a real-life wiring diagram display.

This is an explanation for circuit design. This helps people know if their refrigerator door is fully closed.

This is a schematic of the wiring to close the refrigerator.

This is a short animation to show how the interactive circuit works.

This is a circuit implemented using buttons.

This is the principle of the circuit I designed to run on iron buttons.

This is an explanation of how this circuit works in real life.

This is what the line looks like in real life. This photo is what the circuit looks like inside with the sleeve turned down.

This is what the circuit looks like with the sleeve turned down. (Half of it will be covered)

Here's a schematic of the idea. I want the light to be on when the sleeve is flipped down.

This is me showing how my shoe circuit design works.

This is the design of the bottom of the shoe. There is a section of clear tape over the battery to keep the battery on the shoe but not on the circuit. And there is a piece of looking sponge on top of the battery. When you walk the sponge touches the ground then the battery touches the circuit and the light comes on.

This is the side of the shoe shown and explained.

Project 1

Final Project 1 Design

Wearable Interactive Affordance Based Circuit

It's a loop circuit on a shoe. I put copper tape around the shoe and finally put the battery on the bottom. Because there is a small gap underneath the sole of the shoe, the light won't come on when it's not on (no pressure). This is because the battery and the copper tape do not fit together. The light comes on when the person is wearing it or in the shoe based on pressure sensation. So when a person puts on the shoes, the light does not come on when the foot is lifted, but it comes on when the foot is dropped.

The reason I made this is because I wanted to have an illumination feature for people walking at night or in darker times. This design can be more energy efficient. Of course, if you want it to stay on all the time, you can stick a sponge on the ground where the battery touches the ground. Then there will be no gap between the battery and the copper tape.

The line of copper tape on this shoe is a circular loop. The copper tape extends to the sole of the shoe after going around the shoe in a circle. The bottom part of the shoe has a battery in contact with one end of the copper tape. The other end is not connected. When pressure is applied to the shoe, the battery contacts the copper tape and lights up.

Non-Wearable Interactive Affordance Based Circuit

This design puts the wiring on the latch, and the circuit can be formed by placing copper tape and tin foil in the center of the latch and locking pin, respectively. Since there is a distance between them, tin foil is used instead of copper tape because the tin foil is thicker, so it allows them to be connected together. I folded the tin foil into a thick layer and placed it between the gaps. This design allows the light to come on when the door is unlocked and not when the door is closed and locked.

The reason for this design is that I wanted to remind people to turn on the light when the door is unlocked. This way you can clearly see and confirm that the door is fully closed. My intention was to make this item as useful as possible rather than just looking good. So I think this lock design is a useful one.

For this design I used tin foil and clear tape and copper tape. Using the angle of rotation of the door lock itself, adding one to the door can warn people if the lock is fully closed. Adding some small designs on the important but easy to ignore electronics can make people's life safer and more convenient.