16. Applications and implications

1.1 Assignments of the Week

Propose a final project masterpiece that integrates the range of units covered.
Your project should incorporate:

• 2D and 3D design
• Additive and subtractive fabrication processes
• Electronics design and production
• Embedded microcontroller interfacing and programming
• System integration and packaging.

1.2 Develop a Project Plan by Answering Questions Below

1) What will it do?

This is an interactive installation with the theme of Shanghai Shikumen. Shikumen is one of Shanghai's traditional residential buildings and cultural symbols. I hope that through this installation, I can help students in my class better understand the history of Shikumen. Through participating in interactions, they will immerse themselves in understanding the past life in Shikumen buildings. Thereby establishing feelings for historical buildings. This is also a beautiful art installation and cultural creative product that helps people feel the beauty of Shikumen.

Shikumen Building

2) Who has done what beforehand?

I have never seen an interactive installation on this theme.
But there are many interactive children's pop-up books, paper-cut style lighting installations and three-dimensional Shikumen postcards, etc. which gave me a lot of inspiration.
First of all, the paper-cut style is very consistent with the theme of Shikumen architecture.
Secondly, there are various children's pop-up books. By playing with some parts, the books will light up or make sounds, which usually attracts their attention and allows them to learn while playing. Therefore, I hope to learn from the practice of children's pop-up books and let children play with the parts and complete tasks by themselves.

3) What will you design?

Appearance: I need to replicate the model of the Shikumen gate and design some paper-cut style life scene cards based on the living scenes in the Shikumen courtyard.
Function: For children, a toy that can move, light up, and make noise will be very interesting. So I hope to design the entire device as a time machine. When children press the button, the screen will prompt them that they have traveled back to about 100 years ago. They need to place the corresponding scene card according to my description, and when the scene card is inserted correctly, beautiful lights will light up.

4) What materials and components will be used?

Materials: card paper, acrylic, plywood borad, 3d printing filament.
Components: Microcontrol board(Seeed Xiao), button, screen, magnetic senser, LED strip, servos.

5) Where will they come from?

Some from our lab, others I need to buy on Taobao.

6) How much will they cost?

About 100 yuan.

7) What parts and systems will be made?

Shikumen: the doors can be open and close, and the screen will show welcome and say goodbye accordingly.
Courtyard: there will be 3 scenary card in the courtyard. Children can chose a card and put it in a slot. If it is the right slot, the led strip below will be light up.

8) What processes will be used?

• Shikumen Modeling and 3D printing.
• Scenary design and laser cutting.
• Input and output testing.
• Integret them together.
• Test and modify.
• Find some children to do user test.

9) What questions need to be answered?

• How to check whether the card is inserted correctly?
• Can this installation really arouse children's interest?

10) How will it be evaluated?

If children can be attracted by it and stimulate their curiosity, and take the initiative to ask questions about Shikumen, then the meaning of this device will be realized.