Research Questions and Proposals

1. How can we make celebratory objects enjoyable for those who lack sight?

2. My proposal is to create a birthday or celebration card of sorts for people who cannot see or lack vision.

Research Proposal

1. Through the use of braille, can I create a 3D physical imprinting model and press it into card stock. I plan on using my experience with the laser printer in the Makerspace to create a physical card. I plan on designing the card in Photoshop and transferring to illustrator to place the fold and cut lines. I will use a pre-made braille model and upload it into Fusion360 to generate the model I want, then print the model through an FDM printer in the Makerspace.

• Because I don't have access to a Thermoforming/Embossing and braille-specific paper, I am working with what I have and what I'm interested in learning. I'm working on a short budget as well.

3. Precedents and Literature Review

1. I don’t particularly think like there’s any people/scholars/researchers I’m in debt to

2. I’ve researched machinery that presses braille onto paper

3. This project is significant to my prior experience in digital painting and color investigation. Though I don't plan on designing a full on image for the card, I would like to at least imply one major color, so those who may be somewhat visually impaired can pick up on a bit of the color

4. I will compare/judge the project to similar cards I’ve found on Etsy; use of color, shape, size, and appearance of “feel” of the braille print

4. Action Plan

1. Timeline

Nov 2nd-8th, Research braille .STL files, learn the basics of Fusion360, research Etsy examples, draw up process examples of card and braille 3D model

Nov 9th-10th, Generate model as a closed manifold, create card illustration and dimensions in Photoshop, transfer to illustrator to generate fold/cut lines

Nov 16th-22nd, Print up card and 3D model at Makerspace

23rd-29th, imprint model onto card, conclude final research: what I learned, what I could improve on, etc.

2. Preliminary research

• Logistics of braille English alphabet & variants

• Downloading and importing pre-made .STL models

• Learning Fusion360

• Protruding dimensions of braille in order to press onto card stock

• Examples of braille celebration cards

3. Organization

• Drawing out sketches, researching visual examples of both card and 3D braille model

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og6wzidwaho I’m currently using this video as reference to braille hand held models & how to model them, then 3D print them through FDM printing 

• Final product will be a bit smaller than a regular card due to the typical size of braille

4. Material/Process/Space/Budget

• Materials: I have a lot of card stock from my class “3D tools” I took last year. I plan on using this leftover material. I need printing ink for my HP printer, and ASU offers 250 grams of filament for free to students.

• I plan on using the software Photoshop, Illustrator, and Fusion360

• I will be using the Makerspace, Hayden Library at the Tempe campus. I plan on using my desk space at home since this is a small-scale project.

• Budget: under $50.

5. Off campus/on campus resources

• Makerspace at Hayden Library, no materials off campus are needed. I will be ordering ink from amazon OR using printers in the Makerspace.

6. Feasibility/alternatives

• I am tight on budget right now. I’m not sure about ordering ink due to how expensive it is. I might just keep this project under $10 since the printers at the Makerspace are easy to access.

• If I run short on time, I might just make a 3D filament model of a "birthday card" with braille instead of making a model to press and indent onto card stock

7. Alternative pathways to goal

• If my 3D model does not come out as planned, I will need to make quick adjustments and/or file as much as I can until i get the desired result. I’m giving myself a week and a half before the deadline as I have never actually 3D printed a model through FDM printing.