Week 5 - Journal

Painting has always been more than just a hobby for me—it’s a form of meditation, a way to slow down and immerse myself in the present moment. From the first time I picked up a brush, I realized that painting wasn’t just about creating something visually appealing; it was about the process itself. The rhythmic motion of the brush, the blending of colors, and the quiet focus it requires have always given me a sense of peace. It became my way of practicing mindfulness, a retreat from the fast pace of everyday life.

Over the years, I’ve explored different styles and techniques, but I was always drawn to the idea of spontaneous and fluid expression—art that captures movement and energy. That’s what inspired me to design a spin art machine. I wanted to create something that not only produces vibrant and unique paintings but also can facilitate painting to anyone who like myself don't think that they're talented but enjoy painting anyway. 

The spin art machine has two outputs: 

-The motor which would spin the papers. 

-The LEDs which will work as a decorative element. 

Designing the circuit on TINKERCAD: 

Components Needed:

• 1x DC Motor (responsible for the spinning of the piece of paper)

• 2x LED Lights (Yellow and Green)- for decorative reasons. 

• 1x Switch (slide switch)- making sure that the circuit can be easily turned on and off. 

• 1x 5V Power Supply

• 2x 330Ω (one for each LED)- to adjust the voltage and so that the LED doesn't explode. 

Steps: 

Power Supply: Connect the 5V power supply 

Motor Circuit:

• Connect the motor to the breadboard using wires.

LED Circuit:

• Connect two LEDs in parallel to the motor, each with a 330Ω resistor in series. both lightbulbs are connected to the motor in parallel. 

• One end of each resistor connects in series to 5V, and the other end to the LED anode.

Switch:

• Connect the switch in series to the power supply so it can control the whole circuit. 

While working on Week 5 assignment: 

I decided to do the spin art machine earlier. However, I wasn't sure about the way to make it using simple materials. My friend "Ahmed Tallat" helped me by sharing a video of a spin art machine made from cardboard, which left me to be very confident about the whole task. 

During Midweek session: 

Me and Aya swapped turns in being driver and navigator while working on TINKERCAD. It was a very inspriring experience because each of us had something to offer in the connections and we left the session with way more knowledge and practice than what we entered the session with. 

Understanding electric circuits, particularly how to connect components in parallel, is crucial when designing an interactive learning board for visually and hearing-impaired students. A well-structured circuit ensures reliable functionality, allowing multiple interactive elements to operate independently, enhancing the user experience.

Parallel Circuits for Reliability and Accessibility:

In an interactive board, multiple tactile and auditory feedback components—such as braille displays, and sound modules—must function seamlessly. Connecting these elements in a parallel circuit ensures that each component operates independently without affecting the others. This is especially important for accessibility, as a failure in one element will not disrupt the entire system.