Context and Significance

My first group project was a memorable experience, and I was thoroughly impressed with our results. The most significant lesson I took from the project was the importance of time management and dedication. The project succeeded as it did due to each group member’s fair commitment. I also learned that, at times, I would need to sacrifice personal time and energy to make real progress, which taught me how to balance priorities and manage my time wisely. With this mindset, I was able to set realistic expectations for myself and for the midterm in terms of the time and energy I would need to dedicate.

One of the past projects that inspired me was created two semesters ago by a good friend. Her project was a heart rate monitor that was both visually appealing and functionally advanced. It used a display made of cotton in the shape of a heart, with colors flashing to indicate the user’s heart rate. This design triggered my awareness of creating intuitive and engaging experiences, inspiring me to focus on making my own project self-explanatory and compelling for the audience. For me, interaction now means not only creating a reciprocal experience but also achieving a clear, concise outcome.

What’s unique and significant about my project, Eric's Rat Cleanup, is its theme and the variety of sensors it incorporates. The theme centers around catching rats in NYC as an allegory for exposing the corruption of the current NYC mayor, Eric Adams. We incorporated a range of sensors and components—buttons, pressure sensors, vibration sensors, an OLED display, and both a servo and a stepper motor. Together, these elements create an original experience aimed at providing insight into NYC’s issues in a fun, humorous way for both locals and those unfamiliar with the city's current events.