PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES
This week I worked on defining my final project idea and started getting used to the documentation process.
Fab Charter
The Fab Charter describes the concept of the fab lab network, a global community of digital fabrication spaces that support each other by sharing inventions, resources, and knowledge. Fab labs are open to anyone and are intended to provide greater access to equipment and ideas to help foster innovation.
Initial Ideas for Final Project
When I was brainstorming ideas for my final project I tried thinking of inventions and products that I would want to use. It was also important to me that my final project be visually appealing, and that its overall function or design makes me happy. Also, with my interest in architecture, I thought of maybe doing something with that.
I have two working ideas that I am deciding between.
- A meditation device that helps you focus your breathing by inflating and deflating at a set pace.
- A "mood" pavilion that plays different songs based on the weather.
Why Make This?
My inspiration for these two ideas, and reasons for wanting to do them are very different. The meditation device is something useful that I would enjoy having. Anyone who has trouble meditating or relaxing could find this device helpful. The pavilion would be more of an interactive community space. That second idea is more creative. I could explore different architectural designs, and by incorporating music it would have a whimsical element. As of now, I'm leaning toward the first idea, with the meditation device, because I think that one better addresses and solves a problem.
What will it do?
This device will be a small, handheld object, where when you pick it up it will start to glow and inflate at a steady rate that mimics slow, deep breathing. I see this as something people can use when they are about to go to sleep. With so much technology around us, I want this tool to help people wind down, away from digital screens before bed. That's why my design will be very physical, people can choose to look at, or touch the device.
I want to make this tool not because I meditate a lot, but because I am very bad at meditating. I get distracted too easily in my thoughts and I forget to make time to do it. However, I want to be able to clear my mind before I go to bed each night. I would put it on a timer, so that it runs for 10 minutes and turns off automatically.
Design Solutions
One of the challenges, will be figuring out how to get the device to inflate. I'll need to do research on different materials that are flexible. Below are some sketches of different forms the meditation device could take.
In the drawing on the top left, the expanding parts has creases that unfurl. The one on the bottom left gets squashed up and down. The last drawing has a loose material on the top that gets inflated.
There are people who have done projects like this in the past, Anne Vlaanderen from Fab Academy 20--, who made a meditation device based on light. I will focus my project on the inflating aspect, but I may explore the bio metric sensors that she included in her project.
Next Steps
I'm going to research different materials, techniques, and processes that I may need for this project. Also, since I'm in the early stages, I'll continue brainstorming additional uses or features for the meditation device and how that might change its form.
Updated: February 2, 2021