I’m struggling with what I want to do for my final project. I find it’s a bit weird designing whatever I want as I used to design learning tools/toys for young kids. When it comes to what I really want I thought of two totally different things: 1) house decoration or 2) remote control mopping machine (something like iRobot Braava with Swiffer wet, no water tank).

For house decoration, I’m inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese design. I want it to be simple yet functional. I have several ideas like 2D-3D animal trophy using plywood with laser cutter, chair (shop bot), and lamp. In summer, I made a set of the Beatles coasters with inspired by their lyrics. I might make a lamp inspired by their songs and try to design the lamp with interesting light projection.  This could be done by adobe illustrator and laser cutter.

For the mopping machine, I thought of designing it like a remote control car with a Swiffer sweeper attached at the back. This will require me to program an Arduino that goes together with the car parts made from acrylic.

However, when I think about the tools want to learn more on fabrication, I listed Lilypad Arduino and embroidering machine. I came up with the idea of kids blanket fort with sewable electric. This doesn’t excite me though. I guess my challenge is to think about meaningful project that allows me to learn these tools.

Due the time constraint in class, I didn’t have enough time to receive feedback from my classmates but looking forward for another opportunity next time.

Rules:

What are the unspoken rules in a maker centered environment

1. Everyone is already a maker
2. Maker is not hacker
3. Making is not just about robots and rockets
4. Make something that is personally meaningful to you
5. The purpose of making doesn’t have to be utilitarian!
6. Process is more important about product! Purpose is the most important of all.
7. Making alone is cool, making with peers is better!
8. Makers gonna make.
9. You are allowed to break things.
10. We need more women in maker centered environment.
11. Don’t leave laser cutter running unattended.

Assignment- My most memorable assignment:

My undergraduate professor assigned me and my classmates to attend the exhibition “Dialogue in the Dark.” At that time, all I knew about the exhibition was that I would travel through the exhibition with the light off. Dialogue in the Dark was designed for its visitors to experience daily life in the perspective of the blinds. Led by a specialist (who always warned us about bumps on the floor or when to turn left or right), we held hands like kindergarteners and explored our daily routines in the dark like buying grocery, eating at a cafe, or cross the streets. We maximized our senses of touch, taste, smell and sound.

It was a mess for me throughout the exhibition. I fell and walked into poles several times. I was super glad we made it to the end and I could finally “see” again. However, what I saw wasn’t just the “Thank you” sign at the exit. Turned out that our “specialist” was blind. We all sat and chatted with him with amazement. From that day on, my perspective about the blind has never been the same.