StoneGlow_practice1
Description
Stoneglow is a collection of unique lighting devices. Derived from natural shapes, the Stoneglow devices interact with one another depending on their arrangement. Each shape is lit with a distinct color that shifts and fades depending on its correlation with another. Users orchestrate the objects upon a level surface and play around with the arrangement, exploring the various colors each shape emits and even builds a unique arrangement of his or her own.
Stoneglow allows an intimate interaction between the hand, the eyes, and the brain. This project takes the technical inner works and conceals it with the aesthetics of its outer beauty. This delicate combination is what creates the mysticism or soul within each shape.
Stoneglow may be interpreted as a unique device for building ambiance or even an abstract toy. Whichever it is, Stoneglow appeals to the basic desire to explore and the curiosity to inspire play through creation. Each unique arrangement is a piece of beauty that may cause the user to leave the creation "as is" or encourage him or her to improve upon the creation.
Background
Each us were excited to create a project that focused strongly on user interaction and the delicate balance between design and technical sophistication. We tried hard to create a project that merged the two seemlessly and at no point did we want to sacrifice one over the other. We felt the aesthetics of the project were just as important as the technical inner workings. Originally, we had thought of building an art installation that responded to those passing by it but soon scraped the idea when Minsoo proposed building blocks or stones that allowed a person to build various arrangements yielding a different color scheme with each uniqe combination. From there, we quickly began working. Though we often worked together, at times we'd split up according to our respective backgrounds and tackle the job that way.
Audience
We feel that the target audience is the general public. Anyone interested in playing and exploring. We feel our objects may end up in the home of anyone looking for an interesting lighting device or even an abstract toy to pass the time at bars and hangouts.
User Scenario
Considering our project is abstract and open-ended, a typical scenario would be a user playing with our objects, learning how they work, and then building a unique arrangement for his or herself. The arrangement will yield an interesting lighting combination such that the user may leave it for ambience or an improved environment.
Implementation
The enclosure is a cast plastic shell. The electronics will be housed inside and include an Arduino Mini, infrared emitters, 38khz infrared detector modules, an IR modulating IC, and lithium coin cell batteries. We will include a power switch that is possibly rubberized and flush with the enclosure. We also plan to include a power jack that will allow for the coin cells to be recharged without cracking open the enclosure.
Conclusion
Being one of our first group projects here at ITP, I believe we all learned a thing or two about working as a team. Though we rarely clashed with our intentions, budgeting time and creating backup plans was a useful lesson. We also learned how much more involved a project like this can take. The technical aspects are only a fraction of the project. Testing, the purchasing of supplies, and the design of the enclosure are all large portions of a project that take a long time to complete and master. A timeline with milestones must be established and most decisions need to made with a keen sense for time. Compromise time without compromising your vision of the project.