Soldering Scotties

Intention

The precedent pairs with an app to create these messages whereas in our proposal, we simplify this and use simple emojis through SMS texting. In this way we can forgo the lengthy process of building the app and focus on the actual IoT device and its use of calm technology. Another slight modification for our working prototype will be adding a simple button next to the spinning heart/logo that will take the place of the action of manually spinning the heart back to notify senders that the message has been received. Overall, our project focuses on the importance of ambient devices in order to create a messaging system that doesn’t pull users' focus away from their current task.

Historical Case

Our proposal for our final project is centered around a precedent called “Lovebox”, which is an IoT messaging device that aims to connect users, going beyond regular communication, and allowing them to deliver special expressions of affection. The Lovebox employs the use of calm technology, using ambient notifications to show when a message has been received. The simple box uses a small heart icon on the exterior of the box to achieve this, having the heart spin when a message has been received and allowing users to spin the heart back to notify the sender they’ve received it. This allows one to send a message to someone without forcing their attention to switch from whatever they may be doing at the time. Once they choose to view the message, they can open the top of the box to view a small display that shows the unique messages.

Process

Outline your approach to the project? What ideas did you generate and how did you refine or reject them? What did you research and explore? what were the design choices? What challenges were encountered and how did you resolve them?

Process

Briefly describe the design process (iterations, refinements, challenges encountered) of rebuilding your device. You should document each milestone and expand on design decisions, changes, and lessons learned from the restoration.

Bill of Materials

Particle Controller

Adafruit 1.47" 320x172 Round Rectangle Color IPS TFT Display - ST7789

Micro Servo Motor PowerPro SG92R

Push Button

PLA Filament

Sheet of Plywood

Resulting Prototype

Video

Create a short (1-2 minute) video illustrating the restored device. This should illustrate what aspects of it are working and how someone would interact with it.

Conceptual Design:

Build on your design and imagine new possible interactions and scenarios of interaction for today's computing based on what you've learned from rebuilding your design. For each conceptual design, provide a high level design overview that considers and describes: what context it operates in ; what it does and how it behaves; how someone would or could interact with it; and how these interactions unfold. Pay particular detail to _how each proposal builds on the original precedent work in a meaningful way._ Detail your design proposal(s) with a series of illustrations.

Reflection and Critique:

Go back to your pre-mortum, and relfect on what you were wrong about. In particular, ask how has your understanding of this precedent work changed based on the act of restoring and reviving it (e.g. look at your original bill of materials and plans and see what changed). Reflect on if your understanding of the value of this project is different. Unpack what did and didn't work, what you learned, and what you would do differently if you could go back. Finally, ask what has been the value of looking back at overlooked, forgotten, or older works to inspire new design directions today?