Assignment #13
Invention, Intellectual Property and Business Models.

The thirteenth assignment is about invention, intellectual property, and business models. We need to define our project more clearly and consider how to share it with the world.

1 – Invention

My final project will be called Fab-Cinetico-Dispositivo-Midi (Fab-Kinetic-Midi-Device). Although there are many interesting MIDI controllers, I tried to bring something new to the field through the keyboard’s shape: a circular array of 12 buttons combined with a gyroscope that sends MIDI Control Change messages when the device is tilted. A wooden element also gives the user an interesting tactile experience.

2 – Intellectual Property

As part of the Fab Academy assignments, the development of the Fab-Cinetico-Dispositivo-Midi is covered by the MIT license .
The Fab-Cinetico-Dispositivo-Midi will also be released under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license . In other words, people can share and build on my work for non-commercial purposes, provided they credit me.

3 – Business Models

The main objective of this project is to spread knowledge about how to create musical interfaces that go beyond the “usual” knob/button setup.
Since artists can use the MIDI controller to make music, I would also like to produce a small series of devices for sale. To fund this initiative, I might use a crowdfunding platform such as kickstarter or indiegogo to test whether this approach to musical interface design appeals to musicians.
I also want the project to demonstrate my skills as an industrial and interaction designer and bring more visibility to my work within and beyond the Fab Lab network.

4 – The slide and video clip of my Final Project

My final project is not complete yet, so I cannot make a demonstration video. However, I have outlined the structure of my presentation slide and video:

0 – Title (picture/video of the complete project)
1 – Overview of the project’s main aspects, with a diagram of the components
2 – zoom on the shells (3D modeling screencast, 3D printing video)
3 – zoom on the wooden element (3D modeling screencast, CNC milling Video)
4 – Focus on electronics design, with schematic diagrams, KiCad screencasts, and CNC footage
5 -zoom on interaction design (video / diagrams of how to use the device)
6 – active demonstration (little performance / demonstration)

I also learned to use the nonlinear video editor Kdenlive , which I’ll use to edit the video. I’ll also use Inkscape to create graphics and diagrams for the presentation. For the soundtrack, I chose “Mr Wilson's Airship” by AMA (also released under a CC licence)