1. Principles and practices¶
PlayStack¶
PlayStack is title of my final project concept. It is an interactive replica simulator of various craft studios found around the Haystack campus. This idea came out of a brainstorm with Jenn (my wife) about what I could do for my final project that was both self-serving and also actually worth making. Obviously, we landed on a project that would be able to be used by our daughter, Lucia. We discussed building a doll-house with interactive features, and then a play kitchen, but ultimately decided on this idea of a craft studio simulator for kids.
The idea for this will be to design a scale replica of the Haystack iconic studio architecture, and then develop interactive physical simulations of different craft processes using digital fabrication Process. For example, a glass blowing simulator might have a 3D printed orb, that is semi-transparent and contains an RGB LED. This would be attached to a stick or wand and as the user puts this into the replica glass forge, a motion sensor within the forge would detect the presence of the RGB wand and make the LED turn RED to signal hot molten glass. When retracted, the RGB LED would turn blue to signal that the glass has cooled.
Nearly every studio could have some simulator, so next I will brainstorm each studio and describe a possible concept that could be included in this simulator.
Wood¶
Ceramic¶
Fibers¶
Graphics¶
Metals¶
Glass¶
Craft Studio Structure¶
Research & Inspiration¶
Looking around the archives, I was inspired by Hyejin Ahn’s final project, which was a smart mini house. I will review her design and implementation more carefully and see what I could potentially build off of with my project.
Original Ideas and Brainstorming¶
Interactive Play Kitchen¶
I love to cook, and Lucia especially loves hanging out in the kitchen while I cook dinner and sneak bites of raw veggies that I am cutting up. Therefore, developing and fabricating an interactive kitchen at an appropriate scale for a 2-3 year old would be the perfect addition to our home. I think this would also lend itself to many of the technologies and processes that will be covered throughout Fab Academy. - Electric burner that lights up when a switch of dial is turned. Maybe it gets brighter as it is turned up higher? Maybe it goes up to 11? - Easy-bake oven with timer, noises played from speakers, and touch sensors for that extra-fun little kid experience. - The chassis/frame of this thing would be cut on the CNC router, probably out of 18mm baltic birch plywood - The details of the components would be laser cut, 3D printed, and vinyl cut as appropriate. - Not sure about molding and casting, but I am sure I can think of fun things that are related to a play kitchen that can be molded and casted.
Interactive Doll House¶
Similar to the play kitchen, the doll house would contain classic elements of a doll house but also some fun new Fab Academy inspired components, such as LED lights controlled with touch buttons, or other sensors that Lucia could control. There could be a motorized elevator type device for her to put her small items in and then move up the house to the upper floors. Lots of ways to tie in electronics, sensors, interactivity, as well as the same things described in the play kitchen project.I might research interesting architectural models of houses that would make for a more interesting doll house (i.e., Frank Loyd Wright)