Assignment 4: Hack a Toy
The Susan Watkins chapter, THE DESIGN PROCESS was of immeasurable help this week while I was working on the hack a toy assignment. Ever since PComp called my attention to the electronics and construction supporting every electronic switch or component in proximity, I've been curious about the cheap electronic toys in my local $1 store—how are they made? how do they acheive portability, affordability and functionality in such a small, inexpensive package? My idea was to explore the $1 electronics world and to attempt to complete the assignment using these toys as my primary building blocks. Several $1 stores later the idea to create a wearable musical instrument from the wedding of a wristband digital watch and a Dora the Explorer "super" telephone crystallized...
Because it was made for a MUCH smaller wrist it was a bit uncomfortable to wear. Also because I had placed the keypad inside it was all the more bulkier. But it was fun to play with and it worked best when other people played the instrument. Although it is difficult to see here—sadly my camera does not possess a macro function—I liked that you could see the speaker courtesy of the former clock casing.
