Module 1 Formstorming

Sarah's Weekly Activity Template :>

This website showcases a series of interactive experiments where everyday objects are turned into circuit-based interfaces by using their natural physical functions, such as opening, closing, wearing, or pressing, to trigger interactivity.

Project 1

Module 1

Module 1 explores basic circuits and interactivity by experimenting with everyday objects and using simple physical actions to activate or deactivate a circuit.

Activity 1

I was watching the tuitorials and getting a good grasp of how circuits work

Here I was observing the led lights and battery -- I didn't know the led lights was an adhesive and and a group of 3 lights in one little pack

I removed the led sticker with the adhesive still in the back. I also observed the led upclose and noticed a negative and positive symbol for each side

created my first working circuit from scratch using the supplies list paper we were given to experiment

I realized that not i had to flatten the copper tape a bit more for better conductivity, I was noticing the led was flickering

I noticed i had to press down on the battery, It definitely needed tape or something to hold it down instead of my fingers

I didn't use tape but I felt like me pressing on the battery for a while made the battery not lift

I added an additional led

I noticed better conductivity when i placed the copper tape over the led instead of under

I added another led over the tape but noticed it didn't work. I realized that this was because of the paper adhesive I forgot to remove behind the led

I removed the adhesive and noticed it was flickering. So then I added copper tape over it

I took a picture comparing the difference between the adhesive vs the led without the adhesive

I wanted to extend the circuit I did earlier

This time I used proper paper

I added 3 led lights from a pack - red, green, purple

Over here, I noticed that the more I extended the copper tape along with additional led lights, some lights were losing power

In order to make some lights not lose power, I had to add pressure by pressing the battery onto the conductive tape

I created a letter S w the circuit and added my name :]

I placed a paper over the lights and began to visualize the drawings i could put over it

Over here, you explained how to set up a circuit using codnuctive thread

Here you showcased the working circuit with conductive thread

Over here you explained how unstable the conductive paint is and that it hasn't always worked for you because of something in the formulation weakening the conductiveness in the paint

Over here you used a heating/drying tool on the paint to dry it up more quickly

I wanted to create a parallel circuit. I have two main vertical copper tape paths which power the three led's.

Over here you supplied us with stuff that would help us with the activity

Activity 2

This is an Aveeno bottle. I visualized this being interactive with the led turning on once the pump is pressed down

In my sketch, the battery and the led are separated so the circuit is off by default. When the pump is pressed all the way down, it acts like a switch that connects the two sides and closes the circuit. That connection is what allows power to flow and makes the LED light up

This is my bag. It has a buckle which I wanted to use for the circuit and interaction aspect

In my sketch, the battery and LED are separated so the circuit is off when the buckle is open. When the buckle is connected, the metal pieces touch and act as a conductor that bridges the gap in the circuit. That connection completes the circuit and allows power to flow, which is what makes the LED light up.

This is my Vitamin D Bottle. I wanted to use the lid specifically for the circuit and interactivity

In my sketch, the battery and LED are kept apart so the circuit is off when the vitamin bottle is open. When the lid is screwed closed, the metal contact points line up and connect the two sides of the circuit. That connection closes the circuit and allows power to flow, which turns the LED on.

This is my hair dryer. I wanted to use the freeze button specifically for the circuit and interactivity

In my sketch, the circuit is open by default while the freeze button is not fully pressed. When the freeze button is pressed all the way down, it physically connects the two sides of the circuit inside the handle. That full connection closes the circuit and allows power to flow, which makes the LED light up.

This is my hand soap. I wanted to use the pump function specifically for the circuit and interactivity

In my sketch, the battery and LED are separated so the circuit stays off when the pump is not pressed. When the hand soap pump is pressed all the way down, it bridges the gap between the two sides of the circuit. That contact closes the circuit and allows power to flow, which turns the LED on.

This is my hair spray. I wanted to use the press function specifically for the circuit and interactivity

In my sketch, the battery and LED are separated so the circuit stays open when the hairspray pump is not pressed. When the pump is pressed all the way down, the internal contact points touch and bridge the gap between the two sides. That full contact closes the circuit and allows power to flow, which makes the LED light up.

This is my record player. I wanted to use the lid shutting function specifically for the circuit and interactivity

In my sketch, there are two separate batteries powering two separate circuits, each connected to its own LED. When the record player lid is open, both circuits stay broken so neither LED turns on. Once the lid is closed all the way down, it completes both circuits at the same time, allowing power to flow and lighting up both LEDs.

This is my fan. I wanted to use the opening and closing motion specifically for the circuit and interactivity.

Honestly, this one is the least clear to me and I’m not fully sure how it would actually work in practice. In my sketch, I’m imagining that when the fan is closed all the way, the conductive tapes are pressed together enough to close the circuit and turn the LED on. I think it would need extra pressure or adjustment since there’s likely a gap between the conductive areas, so this is more of a rough idea than a solved solution.

This is my earmuffs. I wanted to use the act of putting them on and taking them off specifically for the circuit and interactivity.

In my sketch, the circuit is open when the ear muffs aren’t being worn or aren’t touching anything. When the ear muffs go over a hood or beanie, I’m imagining that the fabric presses against the conductive points and bridges the gap in the circuit. That contact would close the circuit and allow power to flow, which is what would make the LED turn on.

This is my toner pads. I wanted to use the lid opening and closing function specifically for the circuit and interactivity.

In my sketch, I’m imagining two separate batteries powering two separate circuits, each connected to its own LED inside the toner pad container. When the Mediheal lid is open, both circuits stay broken so neither light turns on. Once the lid is closed all the way down, it presses the contacts together and completes both circuits, which is what would make both LEDs light up.

I honestly didn’t know what was wrong with this setup, so this is what ChatGPT explained to me. The LED needs a complete loop from the positive side of the coin cell, through the LED in the correct direction, and back to the negative side. If the polarity is flipped or one connection isn’t fully closing the circuit, the LED won’t light up even if everything looks connected.

This image shows the materials I used for experimenting, including copper tape, aluminum foil, batteries, tape, and the Makey Makey kit laid out.

This image shows me trying to create a open circuit that then gets connected using water in the vase/glassware. It didn't work out as intended unfortunately even though I did everything correctly.

This image shows the mask with LEDs activated, demonstrating how the circuit wraps around the head. It also shows the opposite side of the mask lighting up, highlighting how the copper tape circuit runs continuously around the form.

Project 1

Final Project 1 Design

Non-Wearable Interactive Affordance Based Circuit

This is my hand sanitizer bottle. I wanted to use the pumping function specifically for the circuit and interactivity. I covered the pump with aluminum and copper tape, leaving only the positive line exposed so the circuit activates when the pump is pressed.

Wearable Interactive Affordance Based Circuit

This is my mask. I wanted to use the act of putting it on and touching the sides specifically for the circuit and interactivity.

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