Thanks for a wonderful class this semester! Here is the collection of all of your final projects on Instructables.

The theme of the final project is In Process. Over this course, we have discussed and examined processes of different practices and how to apply them to new tools, materials, ideas. We have also discussed how these tools, materials, and ideas influence process, especially in spaces where two processes collide (i.e. sewing and electronics, papercraft and interactive design). For your final project, you may choose whatever concept you like. As you move through this project, you should all consider your process deeply. Be critical of how you are approaching your concept, research, prototyping, and execution. Some questions to consider include: how do materials communicate to ideas? Do materials determine practice? What tools do you use and why? What tools do you want? What theoretical frameworks are you pulling from? How does the audience you are designing for impact your process?

Reprise

You may choose your concept for the final project. It must address ideas, processes, tools, and/or materials we have surveyed over the course. You will be graded on your implementation of the materials and processes we have been studying throughout the semester. You may work alone or collaboratively (this is encouraged). Below are the deliverables and calendar for the last four (!) classes. I will share the rubric for the final project with you next week.

Deliverables

• Working prototype
• In-class 8-10 minute presentation
• Video and image documentation
• Blog post containing all relevant links and reflection on your process
• Instructable documenting how you made it
• At least 2 feedback sessions to a Artisan tech student in Parsons Paris (these can be written via email or class blog or done through skype) – this will be due prior to the final and I will help you link to a student/project there. (See schedule below)

Final calendar

• Nov 29 – Concept Proposal (working title, short paragraph, 1-2 precedents, at least one rough sketch)
• Dec 1 – Updated Concept + Prototype
• Dec 8 – Prototypes for in class feedback + feedback to Artisanal Tech
• Dec 15 – Prototypes + feedback to Artisanal Tech
• Dec 22 – Final + celebration!

Big Picture

As I mentioned, this is in collaboration with the Artisanal Tech course (go to “Workshops” category to see work) at Parsons Paris. It will culminated in an exhibition and workshop/speaker series this spring. This is also part of a larger project called Crafting Tech that hopes to serve as an open platform for eCraft teachers and learners around the world to use in their classrooms and learning spaces.

Memory project
This can be a prototype – it is a homework assignment and you may work together if you wish

Design a tool that creates, saves, deletes, or alters memories. Imagine a possible or potential future in which your tool exists and who it’s users are. You can choose the definition of memory and what it means.

Memories define who we are. They can be impressions, bytes of data, feelings, objects, events, synapse firings. They can be individual or collective. Some of us have perfect memories, while others suffer from crippling degenerative diseases. They can be multi sensorial – based in touch, sound, motion, sight, and smell. They can grow stronger, weaker, or distorted with time.

For thousands of years, we have recorded our memories in various craft forms, using textiles, fibers, paper, wood, clay, etc as our dominant materials. With the rise of digital technologies, we now embed them in pixels and polymers, preserving them by the terabyte. For the most part, our memories are devoid of materiality. This will only increase as time goes on…

Materials:
Paper and fabric of various weights

Resources:
How-To: Work with Shape-Memory Alloy
(FYI we will be working with .006 flexinol)
SMA meets Smocking
More Physical Than Computing, Research on SMAs

Resources:
Building a heat controlling circuit
Painted Displays
4-channel color changing textile

Tools you need:
Sound recording module, old (working) pair of headphones, or a sound greeting card

Resources:
These are only a few of the vast resources – email me if you find more to include!
Sound amplifying circuits
Sound fabric

Slides from previous semester