Design Process

Initial Ideation

Our initial Plan was to design a Tangram-esc puzzle in the shape of a lightning bolt(the symbol of Zeus). From the start the idea of making use of magnetic pogo pins to send current between he pieces of the puzzle to allow the puzzle to light up and inform the player the game was won was in place. 

Initial Prototype

The initial Prototype was a proof of concept of the puzzles design and approximate size. We learned this prototype was too small and that the magnet strength was spot on. 

Secondary Prototype

This was the first to scale prototype, we learned a lot from it. We were able to test the magnetic pogo pins and attempt to make the light up effect work. We managed to to have the blocks all light up with the use of LEDs however soldering them to the pogo pins reviled many issues mainly due to their size. This lead us to abandon the pogo pins and LEDs and rely on an interactive GUI to manage the main gameplay making use of Arduino and photoresistors.  

Final Design

With a final reprint of the pieces, slightly larger and thicker side walls to survive against unpredictable children. With the laser cut base the final puzzle was able to be tested, storing the Arduino and photoresistors in the base, the puzzle was ready to test.