#ctech501

The CrackBac studio project has been educational in the fact that seemingly simple tasks can be problematic to implement, especially when designed for the human form. A prototype built for and tested in a particular individual to fit one size it may be comfortable and work correctly. However, scaling or transposition onto a different user of a larger/smaller stature could break the function of the device completely. Such problems that are initially assumed to be minor could become complicated issues that are critical for the device to function correctly.

The first rudimentary prototype failed to convey the idea of a back support reminder device, which was corrected by creating a more refined version that clearly demonstrated the intended function. In hindsight, prototype one became a tool for my understanding while prototype two was more suited and presentable to users for their feedback. It taught me that in order to receive feedback from testers, the prototype has to be of a certain standard.

I also realised that if I had presented multiple versions of prototypes at the same time, it would have allowed a broader range of information to be critiqued. This would speed up the process as ideas can be extrapolated, refined and compiled from these versions to make future designs that incorporate more information.

Having mostly positive feedback for an initial prototype could blind one to exploring new ideas but can also show that a certain idea or device is genuinely needed, acting as a bias confirmation feedback loop. In this situation, implementing design techniques is critical for objective evaluation of the initial ideas.

Working in a team with someone passionate about back posture stemming from their personal experience was a huge boost for the project. It brought new ideas and approaches to the table such as branching out with other designs, by conducting research on stretch sensors.

The group dynamic has been good and more enjoyable than working solo. I have a tendency to keep ideas in my head but teamwork has shown me the importance of communicating and explaining my design intentions clearly.

My strength is physically constructing prototypes, which was supplemented by my teammate’s research skills. Her previous knowledge of such devices brought to light that comfort was a major design driver and critical to the use of the product.

In the future, I hope I will have an opportunity to get a professional opinion on the device from a chiropractor.

The learning outcome of this project for me was firstly, the importance of information gathering through multiple prototypes and in what way those prototypes can obtain feedback. Secondly, I found value being part of a team and understood that adding even one team member can have an impact on the direction of a project.

Team Time!

Construct a flag that displays yours Groups name and Group icon on a flag utilising conductive thread that had at least 3 LED’s illuminating it, lets review!

Creativity can be hard sometimes and this was one of those times. Difficult because it involved representing ourselves in a group. What will the name be for the group? what shape language will be used and how will the layout work..? We chose a scull influenced by our previous group project that to me also represents the human factor in technology and the over all arch inspired from the first group project representing togetherness. The name is a different but fun, purposely spelt Brian but said Brain covers the groups desire to vary from the ordinary and try unconventional ideas. Reflecting on the group and our design I wondered if we could have come up with anything more fitting but concluded that it was a good fit for the group however if we were to do it again I would like to involve more design practices to the ideas pitched as we felt time was tight which removed any exploration we could have done with different materials, alternative designs or assembly procedures.

Assembly of the flag challenged us because of all the assumptions we made with “how easy this will be”. A lack of immediate tools like sewing machines shows up in the finished quality but that was understandable with the main tools being a glue gun and scissors. I started to use the conductive thread to attach the LED’s to the flag material but found out very quickly that it was a nightmare.. 

*don’t pull on the conductive thread too hard as it will break

*wrap the thread around the contacts multiple times as it will not take to soldering for a good contact

*make a plan for where the thread will run

*use a backing to stitch to first instead of stitching through all layers 

*utilise crochet frames to make stitching far easier. 

As per what I was discussing in class about climate change. Any fact that says one way or another does not remove the responsibility of cleaning up our own impact on this planet. 

WIP of a soccer game I intend to program further. (first breakthrough in understanding the logic in the tool) //need to use comments way more!        Tutors can warn you but experiencing failure really drills it home.

mouse y moves ball vertically as it bounces between goals automatically

Layout of the LEDs under the board, Resistors used to protect the led from over voltage and tinfoil to act as a diffusor mirror. I hope!

Finding the right colour LEDs has been challenging, not only the colour selection but matching the brightness also. I have tried stacking two onto each other but with little success especially with UV LEDs as they are only 60mcd and are barely visible in the day. I could use bright white CREE LEDs and coloured plastic lenses to create a brighter more even colour under the board as having it light up is the main goal.

Tinfoil works to reflect light but not evenly. I could use mosaic pattern glass but risking it falling out and cutting people I’d rather find a better diffusor, maybe clear Perspex to replace the pizza box circuit board and let the light shine along it. A thought to using this idea would be such a flat surface may allow the counters to connect the circuit more reliably, benefiting not only the colour distribution but the flatness / strength of the game.

Board game hack, Light it up!

At first glance this looks like a normal game of Chinese Checkers sitting in a pizza box... Well it is! Modified to light it up, the gameplay remains unchanged.

These ‘hacks’ are intended to make the game:

more interactive

easy to store and counters less prone to being knocked around

simple to assemble using minimal parts

To increase the interactivity of the game, when all counters occupy the ten corresponding holes a victory buzzer/ vibration and coloured lights shine through from the underside of the board. 

NOTE: Lights will glow opposite to each colour set, visually indicating where each colour group should end up and because the counters are the switches there will be no need for a power switch.

First issue with the intended simplistic design of the circuit, during game set-up the buzzer and vibration would activate as soon as the counters were set for play and become a distraction for the players until each player had placed their move. I do not want to add complexity to the circuitry so using LEDs only removes these issues and allows construction to be simplified. Using only lights also means less power required and a longer battery life for the game.

Picture one demonstrates how the game is laid out in the Pizza box. It allows for easy transport, easy storage and cheap prototyping. 

The red and blue lines in picture two show where the copper tape has been cut to break the circuit. When the counters with metal screw heads are placed in all ten coloured holes, all the cuts in the copper tape are connected, turning on the LEDs to indicate the start/end of the game.

On further testing, the surface of the cardboard from the pizza box was not flat enough and caused issues with connectivity between the screw heads and the copper tape. Warping of the pizza box and straight cuts across the copper tape  (blue lines) did not seem to connect well, if at all, and the LEDs do not shine. No lights meant there was an open circuit! Possible corrections are:

Green circle showing soldered joints could reduce resistance.

Diagonally cut copper tape could increase the chance of connection.

Week 8

Brainstorming my idea - lo-fi prototype

I chose issue 2 about mental and physical wellbeing issues during lockdown. In all honesty the reason I was pushed towards this idea was the fact that I got sick of seeing the same challenges and being tagged in 25 push ups to raise awareness for mental health - personal opinion but that can cause mental and physical wellbeing issues if someone who gets tagged hurts themselves doing push ups or can't do one and feels more stink about themselves...

So my idea isn't as cool or out of the box as others. I went for something that can support what is already out there and can be used as a resource. It is a platform that educates and shares info about mental and physical wellbeing. Then getting people to get involved. I've learnt from interviewing an Occupational Therapist that asking simple questions can help address whether someone is mentally ok. And during lockdown so many people are so happy to answer questions about themselves and share it so I thought I would jump on that and make some challenges with simple questions that can be shared via social media and you can tag others. Or doing activities with family and friends that will help wellbeing during lockdown. I'm not sure if you can see what I've written but it's something simple which a lot of people can get involved with. I also went a head and did some IG polls which a range of people took part in on what they would do and what they thought some issues where during lockdown and it was very interesting.