Embedded Files
Initial Ideas:
Initial Ideas:
Digitized etch a sketch:
Digitized etch a sketch:
1) A small device you can use to sketch/take quick notes. It is connected to your phone and automatically archives to your phone.
2) A drawing device where you can draw with a joystick, knobs, sliders or buttons only (instead of a pen). The movement is analog and tactile, but the output is digital or light-based. The project's aim is creating something nostalgic with a modern twist.
Chosen idea/direction: Digitized Etch A Sketch
Chosen idea/direction: Digitized Etch A Sketch
Camera to sketch device:
Camera to sketch device:
Inspired by the polaroid camera, my device allows the user to take/upload photos and it turns them into a sketch that looks hand-drawn.
Simple UI: One button to "capture", one to "print" or "save"
Option to shake the device (like an old Polaroid) to develop the sketch enhancing the user's experience, and adding a nostalgic element.
Note: Cameras are not compatible with Arduino Uno
Sun Sketch
Sun Sketch
A device inspired by a laser cutter, which allows the user to draw using sunlight reflected through a magnifying glass.
Hydroponic herb garden:
Hydroponic herb garden:
A user friendly device designed for growing fresh herbs indoors without soil. It monitors water, light and nutrients.
Note: This will only be a monitoring device.
Textile music:
Textile music:
A device where you can attach different textiles that plays different sounds when it touches or connects with other specific materials. For example, another piece of fabric, a hand, or a found object. It is a device that links between our sense of touch and hearing. It is powered by sensors and electrical signals translated to sound.
Note: Textiles will not emit any sound. Think of replacing with something that has electrical signals. The only way it will produce sound is with a small mic + the sounds will not be interesting.
Digitized Etch A Sketch
Digitized Etch A Sketch
This project combines the nostalgia of a childhood toy with the kind of digitized toys that children are drawn to today. I was inspired by classic toys like the Etch A Sketch and Magna Doodle. Simple, analog drawing toys that encouraged creativity without screens or distractions. As a child, I spent countless hours playing with a Magna Doodle, and I see it as a natural evolution of the Etch A Sketch, which was created back in the 1950s.
My project takes inspiration from both and reimagines them into a new kind of toy, that keeps the tactile, hands-on quality of those originals but brings modern elements like sensors, digital screens, and sound. I want to create something that brings physical interaction back into play while still feeling familiar and exciting to today’s children.
The goal is not to solve a technical problem but rather to respond to a cultural one: the loss of tactile, imaginative play. I care about this because I believe the way children play shapes how they think, learn, and connect with the world. This toy invites them to draw, explore, and engage, just like I did as a child, but in a way that reflects the digitized world they’re growing up in.
Magna Doodle
Project Ideation
Project Ideation
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects
This project is an interactive LED-based desk companion that blends playful interaction with practical functions.
At its core, it’s a tactile light-drawing surface: you “paint” with light by moving a controller over an LED matrix, creating glowing patterns and shapes.
When not in use, it transforms into a digital clock, ambient lamp, or minimal art display, adding atmosphere to any space.
It’s designed to be:
Highly tactile: satisfying physical controls for movement, color, and brightness.
Visually calming: smooth light fades, soft colors, and minimal design.
Useful & multifunctional: doubles as clock, lamp, and visual mood-setter.
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
Light-Drawing Mode:
Move the joystick “paint” glowing trails across the LED grid
Choose colors and effects via tactile buttons or knobs
Shake to clear (like the etch-a-sketch) and start a new canvas
Clock Mode:
Displays the time in clean, glowing digits
Clock mode can be accessed via a button/slider
Ambient Lamp Mode:
Fills the room with soft moving light
Adjustable hue and brightness via simple controls like sliders
Idle Animations:
When untouched, it plays slow, elegant visual patterns, like a digital art piece
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
Project Planning
Project Planning
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
Construction Parts
Laser cut and 3D printed frame/body
Input
(Sensing, Tactile Input, and/or Graphical Input)
2-axis joystick or rotary encoders for X/Y movement.
Push buttons/control knobs/joysticks/sliders for mode switching and color selection
Optional tilt sensor for shake-to-clear
Action
(Physical and/or Graphic)
Render glowing lines and shapes based on user's input
Display real-time clock in glowing digits
Ambient lamp mode with adjustable hue/brightness
Minimal animated visuals when idle
Brain
Arduino Uno
Power Management
Adaptor
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
Front view with switch, potentiometers and joystick
Back view
Side view
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
Minimum Features: are the least amount of features that would demonstrate the coverage of all the technical modules and their complete integration
Complete Features: are the set of features that will complete your original project objective and vision
Nice-to-have Features: are the extra set of features that will make the project cooler, yet they need extra time, effort, and/or resources to finish
Minimum User Features
Basic Light-Drawing:
Action: LED matrix displays pixels based on user movement
Sensing: Joystick position tracking (X, Y)
User Input: Joystick
Clear Drawing:
Action: LED matrix resets to blank
Sensing: Button press detection
User Input: Push button
Complete User Features
Color Selection for Drawing:
Action: LED matrix changes pixel hue based on selection
Sensing: Rotary encoder
User Input: Color-select dial
Clock Mode:
Action: LED matrix displays time in large, readable digits
Sensing: Real-time clock (RTC) module
User Input: Mode switch button/slider
Brightness Control:
Action: Adjust LED brightness
Sensing: Rotary encoder
User Input: Brightness dial
Nice-to-have User Features
Ambient Lamp Mode:
Action: LED matrix glows uniformly with adjustable hue & intensity
Sensing: Slider for hue selection
User Input: Lamp mode button / hue dial
Idle Animated Patterns:
Action: LED matrix displays slowly changing art when idle
Sensing: Timer detects inactivity
User Input: None (passive feature)
Shake-to-Clear:
Action: Clears LED matrix drawing
Sensing: Capacitive touch sensor or accelerometer
User Input: Tap or shake device
7- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
7- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
Component/Material
Amount
Link
Arduino Uno
1
kit
Arduino USB Cable
1
kit
5V Adaptor
1
kit
Resistors
ND
kit
Breadboard
1
kit
Wires: jumper and crocodile
ND
kit
Plywoood
ND
lab
PLA filament
ND
lab
M3 screws and nuts
ND
lab/kit
ON/OFF switch
1
kit
Potentiometer (for colour selection)
3
kit
8- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
8- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
Task
Sub-Tasks
From:
To:
Testing components individually
Research and calculate power requirements for each component
Research wiring technique for each component
Test each component individually
Simulate on Tinkercad
Sunday
7 September
Monday
8 September
Assemble the electronics and test components in parallel
Build the circuit and test parallel connections
Write initial code
Tuesday
9 September
Thursday
11 September
Finalize code
Test code with components
Fix any errors
Friday
12 September
Saturday
13 September
Design the enclosure
Design all faces
CAD on Fusion 360
Sunday
14 September
Monday
15 September
Fabrication and final assembly
Fabricate the enclosure
Mount all components
Assemble final project
Tuesday
16 September
Thursday
18 September
Final testing and fixing any issues
Testing the project
(time to fix any issues)
Ensure documentation is complete
Friday
19 September
Sunday
21 September
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