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The state of smarter objects haven’t changed the material or the making process totally. Crafter can still use their workflow and material that they are familiar with. But at the same time, they can create a much digitalized relation with the material that they use. For example, a computational tool in ceramics might b... |
Then the question is, how could smarter objects help the transformative process of making. I would argue that in four directions. First, the smarter objects have limited computation but still, it’s computation. Computation could help shape the material in a much more strict way than human’s hand. Second, the smarter ob... |
That opens possibilities: |
I can see the tool be utilized in many area, e.g. Logan’s project; Automatic drawing machine that draw a special pattern from computer; A way to teach and learn; A remoted connected handler; Transform data from the pottery maker or the WWW, the cultural side can be visualized… |
Prototyping Process: Carvy – A Digital Stylus for Pottery Makers |
December 9th, 2015 by Chong Guo |
From Machine to Stylus |
When I brought the idea of carving tool. The first thing came to my brain was Machines that make projects from MIT. The goal of those machines is to create more machines out of that. They made lots of things look like CNC machines. Then the question became, how did I make that. While I was drawing, a new idea was gener... |
The First Design |
My first thought on the curving tool is a kind of 2D-Printer on the wheel. Two motors will move the pin in Y-Axis ( from top to bottom), and X-Axis (from the left to right, but always starts from the center of the wheel. The bottom of the extension bar has two sensors to detect the distances to the bottom and to the wa... |
QQ20151209-4@2x QQ20151209-5@2x |
Prove of concept for the first prototype: |
This prototype hasn’t been activated since it’s over complicated. It requires both customized materials and lots of trials. |
Thoughts on the first prototype: |
The first prototype actually starts with a hypnosis rather than a real world solution. So there are pros and cons for the first prototype. The down side definitely is the complexity of the system, it’s basically a 3D-printer without Z-axis movements. Another problem that will be generated by this design is the space is... |
However, the design has lots of benefits that couldn’t be compatible. Firstly, the design could run automatically. User could just draw simple lines in the software then the machine could be able to decode the drawing and transform it on the surface of the pottery piece. Secondly, the design could tell the thickness of... |
The Second Design |
My second design simplified the machine. By changing it to a handheld device. User could be able to use it in a much flexible situation. |
Key Approach to the second prototype: |
The second prototype uses a C-shape structure to drop the pin in the middle of the pottery. A small led matrix shows the distance got from the distance sensor. The up and down movement can be captured by the distance sensor on the bottom. Another distance sense is used to detect the distance to the wheel. In this proto... |
Thoughts on second prototype: |
The second prototype validates the way to combine distance sensor to grab the position of the tool’s pin. With data, we can also record a piece of user’s action and then use it as an instruction to help them repeat, or practice. But the device is still large and not easy to use. |
Design presentation: Carvy – A Digital Stylus for Pottery Makers |
December 9th, 2015 by Chong Guo |
My Original idea started with a limited space when I first tried throwing on the wheel. When I reached my hand into the inside of my clay piece, I was totally fascinated by the feel of touching. In that situation, I couldn’t see what was happening inside my jar. I have to use my fingers, my fist, and the rotation of th... |
Then I’m wondering, is there a way to work from the inside? |
Looking at all those images that people is trying to curve the different forms for their pottery, and the ways to do that are creative and novel. And most of them are seeking for duplications and orders in pattern making. But how could people reach the narrow, dark area inside of the the pottery. Also, the design chall... |
The absence of inner pattern |
I’m also wondering when when talk about the pattern, includes the graphical painting pattern and the pattern of repeated shapes. Inter patterns are hard to be found even the in the zen culture from east Asia. As the need of ceramic crafting is shifting to a much more personal side rather than production side. I’m also ... |
Intro to Physical Computing using Clay |
December 5th, 2015 by MLgatech |
Intro to Physical Computing using Clay -Critical Review |
Motivation and Original Idea: |
“The materials and tools we use as well as the approaches we take to design, prototype and build technology greatly influence how we think about technology, the collection of people who think about technology, and the look and feel of the technology itself.”[1] |
This quote was a huge source of inspiration for my project throughout as I aimed to use clay as a material to lower the learning curve for Physical Computing. |
To answer the questions as to Why teach Physical Computing? , this video captures the essence of that very well: |
Concept Development: |
Physical Computing has three main elements which are: |
Input Output and Processing |
Image Source: |
But another main element of Physical Computing is the FORM. It is the form that gives meaning to the inputs and outputs of physical computing. |
For eg. a glowing LED light by itself is not symbolic but if i cut-out a paper heart and stick it to the top of the LED, it starts to have some meaning. |
Why Clay? |
There are many ways to give form to such a project ranging from manual(sewing, paper craft, wood-working) to automated(3-D printing, Laser cutting) etc. |
My exploration use Clay along with some other materials(pencil, magnets etc.) as a material because: |
It is easily and cheaply available in most places |
Easy to mould and shape |
Can combine simple forms to each other to form complex forms |
Can use tools such as knives, moulds, stamps etc. |
It offers both malleability when it is wet and rigidity when it is dry |
Can be painted on or drawn on when dry |
Insulative(which is a very important property of any electronic circuit, the Yin-Yang complement of conductivity) |
I developed a set of prototypes with clay that demonstrated the concept. The next question was how to present this information to my target audience which was middleschool/highschool kids. |
IMG_0131 IMG_0141 |
Early Prototype- Bell mounted on Accelerometer—Plays bell sound in Processing when change in reading detected |
Design Approach: |
1. How to step students through some concepts of electricity and introductory sensing and actuation?(incremental lesson plan) |
The idea was to have a set of in-class activities that would allow students to learn some intro concept. Once the students had some confidence in building circuits they would be able to make personalized projects. |
(problem based approach + constructionism) |
I designed a set of activities which can be found here: |
1. Getting Started with Electricity(what is resistance, how does it change with length/area of cross section of conductor) |
2. Intro to Physical Computing (Digital input switch, Analog Variable resistor + Storytelling with form ) |
3. Making forms with Clay (Making an interactive lamp form prototype) |
4. Intro to Arduino |
5. Going further with Arduino: Intro to Processing, Some more Sensors(accelerometer capacitive sensing) |
The activities themselves can be found here: |
Here is a short video demonstrating my work journey: |
What context does your project stand in and What problems does it address? |
Physical Computing lies at the intersection of the Physical and the Digital |
My intervention explores using clay as the form-giver to physical computing projects. The problem it is trying to address is that of learning physical computing as a beginner. The material it uses are simple and easily available. A lot of projects in the maker community require skills such as 3d modelling, printing, se... |
Clay can be used to give shape and form to and to materialize the imagination and stories of students. |
Another, digital intervention is documenting the steps of the activities using digital multimedia. As my overarching goal is to teach, I am using the digital medium for its strength: replication(was able to borrow from existing sources that teach this and link to them),distribution(shareable resource) outreach. |
What questions does it ask? |
How can physical artifacts created with clay breathe life into electronic components such as sensors and actuators? |
How to design a set of activities that is easy to follow and engaging for students? |
Does using clay give confidence to people that it is a material they can work with? |
How do students Remix and Transform the activities to make projects which are meaningful to them? |
The many forms an interactive lamp could take. |
touch sensitive lamp |
IMG_0257 IMG_0258 |
Based on Diyas, lamps which are important in the Hindu culture ( |
Which of our readings does it relate? |
The project is related to the Crafting Technology Reading[1] as well as the the Kit of No parts [2]. I also referred to a lot of blogs and websites in trying to compile my lesson plan: |
Pencil CIrcuits: |
What did it achieve? |
My project was able to create a set of activities that introduced clay as a form-giver in physical computing activities. I was also able to document my steps in the form of a Step by step recipe. |
What did it not achieve? |
While I did come up with a lesson plan I could not think of a way to make certain exercises simple enough to be presented to students eg. the accelerometer activity with the bell or the touch sensitive lamp. |
This would probably require a Participatory design activity with kids and teachers to see how best to present this information. |
[1] Buechley, Leah, and Hannah Perner-Wilson. “Crafting technology: Reimagining the processes, materials, and cultures of electronics.” ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction (TOCHI)19.3 (2012): 21. |
[2] Perner-Wilson, Hannah, Leah Buechley, and Mika Satomi. “Handcrafting textile interfaces from a kit-of-no-parts.” Proceedings of the fifth international conference on Tangible, embedded, and embodied interaction. ACM, 2011. |
Exploring type-form through orderly & man-made metamorphosis. |
December 4th, 2015 by ievam |
Digital Intervention : |
Initial concept featured a digital intervention in the process of developing a form and mold for ceramics slip casting. |
design intervention_Page_02 |
design intervention_Page_03 |
Integrating an ongoing Industrial Design tessellations project, I sought out how to incorporate ceramic slip with the unconventional mylar material. The digital intervention would highlight the complexities of designing and building an unanticipated form and mold. As the tessellations are build from 2 dimensional piece... |
design intervention_Page_04 |
Digital Prototype : |
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