A word on work F L O W

As makers of things your skills are always increasing with practice.  As makers of ideas, this is also true.  You will be expected to demonstrate your work flow and thought process.  As you do this, reflect on your own path of decision making.  Where do you begin?  Where to go next?  While there is no one way to do this, we recommend following this work flow as you develop your ideas

Document as you go:
Take pictures!  Take video!  Digitize your work.  This is critical to retracing your steps, understanding how YOU work, and presenting your ideas clearly to the rest of the world.

mold making

projection mapping

welding

Sketches:  Everyone can draw.  It's a fact.  You aren't expected to be da Vinci, but you are expected to understand what you're making, before you actually make it. Drawings can help create language between people and ideas.

Models:  Models are an excellent way to quickly test looks, shapes, materials, weight and other design considerations related to ergonomics.  It's the first version of your object in the real world and the digital world.  At this stage you don't have to integrate all the right parts.

Prototypes:  When you've got models you like, you can use it to make a prototype.  Prototypes can be made with analog and digital tools.  If you make separate models, your prototype should integrate them i.e. circuit board model + mechanical model + squishy material model = Squishy-Mechanical-Electronic prototype.

Technical Drawing:  We will look at lots of ways to use images to demonstrate your work clearly.  This can include "exploded" views, circuit diagrams/schematics, and digital renderings.

Animation or Video:  Today a good video can make you a star overnight, it can help you raise money to fund your project, and it can tell the story of an interaction to audiences everywhere.  If it moves, lights up, makes sound, whatever, a good video is crucial to spreading your ideas.  We will workshop video making tips and tricks this semester.