Making Toys

Updates from May, 2009 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Yury Gitman 12:46 am on May 16, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Steve Varga-Final Projects 

  Speak to Me//Breathe
  
  Speak to Me//Breathe is a physical metaphor for my personal views on the security of our information today.

  This project retrieves my live email data in real time and both translates and displays this digital information using a visual form of the Braille alphabet. The use of an available binary language which is rarely used in visual form is intended to be a direct metaphor for the encryption processes that everyone's data goes through on a daily basis. The piece is also intended to live in a gallery space where photography or video recording is strictly prohibited. By displaying my data publicly using both encryption and a human form of security, Speak to Me//Breathe challenges viewers to put in the time to both learn and translate an otherwise useless form of encryption, as well as get around human forms of security in order to access my private data. This real life interaction is intended to reflect the process of a hacker who must both learn arcane data systems and get around real life system operators in order to obtain the information that they covet. Overall the main goal of the project is to transform the viewer into a participant as well as stress the fact that in the new digital age, no information is secure, it is just very hard to get at.
  http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4673457&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1

  Speak to Me//Breathe: Documentation from Steve Varga on Vimeo.

  BeatBoxxx 1.0
  
  
  BeatBoxx is an open-source, Arduino based electronic beat sequencer.

  Beat Boxx is an interactive beat creator and recorder that allows users to lay down digital loops of blips and beeps or perform them live. Through the use of gesture based beat selection, users can choose to either perform live or record a sample and endlessly loop it. Through encouraging users to create their own enclosure from readily available items such as shoeboxes, BeatBoxxx aims to be a simple, affordable, and extremely customizable kit that will hopefully inspire a large amount of creative and practical implementations.

  http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4698962&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1

  BeatBoxxx 1.0: Documentation from Steve Varga on Vimeo.

  BeatBoxxx 2.0
  
  BeatBoxxx 2.0 is an exploration into how far my open source BeatBoxxx concept can be taken using a basic understanding of electronics and open source arduino hardware.

  BeatBoxx 2.0 is a plush toy with digital controls that allows users to select beats, record them to one of three loop memory spots, as well as vary the tempo and switch the type of beats they are using by swiping RFID tags disguised as cassette tapes.

  http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4673571&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1

  BeatBoxxx 2.0 Documentation from Steve Varga on Vimeo.

  
   

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  Yury Gitman 11:02 pm on May 14, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Places I’m going to submit to… 

  Here are the places I plan on submitting to. They are mostly juried art exhibits that I think would be amazing if I could get accepted to. I've decided to submit my "Speak to Me//Breathe" braille project because I feel like it is the project I can most see myself continuing to develop.

  Best in Show 2009 at The Digital Hub Exhibit
  Digital Hub Exhibit

  Impact Onlie: The Slow Web
  Impact Online

  Piksel 09 Competetion
  Piksel 09  
   
• 

  Yury Gitman 11:02 pm on May 4, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Places I want to apply to 

  Here are the conferences that I intend to apply to:

  South by Soutwest Interactive

  PlaySTLFest
  Edinburgh Interactive Festival
  SIGGRAPH
  FITC
   
• 

  Yury Gitman 4:52 pm on April 21, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Plush Beats: Outer Design 

  Here's the layout for my project that I want to get printed on material ASAP but I have to figure out how to make it work as a pattern for sewing!

  
   
• 

  Yury Gitman 3:30 pm on April 17, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Projects on blogs 

   

  Here's what they wrote:

  [Steve] is in the MFA Design and Technology program at parsons, and
  as part of his studies, has built a couple really interesting projects.
  First, the Beat boxxx,
  as seen in the video above, is an 80’s retro looking portable beat
  looper. You create and loop your beats at the time of playing using
  simple hand gestures. The look is great, for those who enjoy cardboard
  and magic marker, though we think some tonal variation and possibly a
  wider pitch variation would really make this fun.

  His second project is Speak to Me/Breathe.
  This project was meant to be a commentary on security in our daily
  information. He is visually displaying the braille symbols to spell out
  his emails. If any person were to spend the effort, they could decipher
  his emails. The finish on this project is quite nice, you can see a
  video of the display after the break.

  Here's a link to the article:

  LINK 

  This site is cool and I've gotten a lot of comments, mostly positive.

  

  Here's what they wrote:

  Mixing something on the net to use in the real world is a very interesting idea. Stephen Varga sent me a great project. He writes :

  Here is a link to my first arduino-based project. I’d
  love if I could get a post and possibly some comments to help me
  improve the design.
  Speak to Me/Breathe
  is a project that shows communication over time by displaying my
  incoming email messages in Braille format on a large LED driven
  interface. The project is both an exploration of Braille as a visual
  6-bit binary form of communication vs its normal tactile form, as well
  as a commentary on information security and encryption.

  Thanks Stephen Varga.

  Here is a link to the site:
  LINK

  They posted it super quick and made some nice comments, however I don't know how many people are actually reading this blog yet since ts pretty new. Regardless its pretty cool.
   
• 

  Yury Gitman 3:20 pm on April 17, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Unexpected things that happened when creating my design files 

  After creating my design files, I began to get a clear idea of the concept that I am trying to execute.

  The physical form of the whole piece was first changed after doing basic sketches and realizing that I could easily make the project customizable by adding a removable faceplate for it. This inspired me to create 2 layouts, one for a faceplate and one for the main body of the project.

  Laying out the controls was also very interesting. I was able to quickly figure out where things should logically go, as well as refine and change the way in which different elements would be interacted with. By thinking of the types of switches that would fit the design, I was also able to do some technical research for both physical items and costs which helped me to realize if my ideas were feasible.

  Now that I have created a basic design for the product, I hope to be able to use this for some simple user testing and refine the layout, mainly of my buttons, before moving on to creating a fully realized product. I also need to test out several form factors that fit within the dimensions that I have laid out in my document and adjust them accordingly until they make sense as far as fitting the speakers in relation to the overall size of the product.
   
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  Yury Gitman 11:51 pm on April 16, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Plush Beats 

  The concept that I am going with for the final project is the plush beat box. This project will take what I have accomplished with our short sound project and push it further, both code-wise and in form factor.

  The main unit will contain all the the electronics (speakers, circuitry, buttons) but will not be designed. It will contain two magnetic strips under the fabric which will allow users to swap out fabric "faceplates" or create their own from any material, continuing the theme of inexpensive customization.

  The toy will feature 4 speakers (2 large, 2 small) which will be either used together (in alternating form to make beats) or used seperately to play back beats. The controls will consist of mainly soft push buttons, hopefully with either LED feedback or sound feedback. The beat selection will use either  a "hot pot" slide potentiometer (linked below) or a homemade slide capacitance sensor. I would *love* to do the homemade capacitance sensor since it would cut down cost BIG TIME but I think for sake of time and prototyping I may be better off going wtih the slide potentiometer or an available capacitance slide.

  View the Potentiometer

  Here is a basic schematic for what I want to accomplish. Colors aren't there just shape layout, it still needs to be designed but I'm more concerned with getting the usability down first. I'd also like to possibly do at least 2 different faceplates for it, using inkjet fabric prints as a stand in for silk screening…

  

  joe is discussing. Toggle Comments

   
  • 

    joe 2:57 am on April 17, 2009 Permalink | Reply

    steve look at this! http://nnnnnnnn.org/080625.html

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  Yury Gitman 3:12 pm on April 14, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Plush Project Concepts 

  Check out my concepts!

  
  
   
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  Yury Gitman 7:54 pm on April 13, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Mechanisms/Gears! 

  Everyone that wants to create gear boxes similar to what we dissected the other day, here is a GREAT  place to get started:

  http://flying-pig.co.uk/mechanisms/index.html

  Also, you might wanna look into buying a lego mindstorm set from the Lego educational site, here's a link

  http://www.legoeducation.com/store/detail.aspx?KeyWords=gears&by=20&ID=340&c=0&t=0&l=0

  This has everythign you need to create really cool stuff, basically you just attach a main gear to a servo or DC motor and use that to control everything

  -Steve

  joe and Ira are discussing. Toggle Comments

   
  • 

    Ira 8:24 pm on April 13, 2009 Permalink | Reply

    The flying-pig site is awesome!
    Thank you Steve

  • 

    joe 8:51 pm on April 13, 2009 Permalink | Reply

    are you gonna build a robot ?!?!

• 

  Yury Gitman 6:17 pm on April 8, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Places to show my work 

  Blogs:

  MAKE blog
  Engadget
  Interaction Design Blog

  Conferences:
  Hong Kong Toy Fair
  CES
  China Toy  
   
• 

  Yury Gitman 3:11 pm on April 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Beat Boxxx 1.0 

  Here is my project for the arduino sound assignment.

  Basically I wanted to combine an old school/do it yourself 80′s nerd feeling with the old-school/do it yourself 80′s break dancing/hip hop feel. I also wanted to create something that could be sold as a kit for a very reasonable price and would allow people to create their own custom beat boxes that would be uniquely theirs. I also see opportunity for releasing a line of artist-based boxes, either in somewhat limited quantities or as one-off truly custom units that could be sold for charity.

  Beat Boxx is an interactive beat creator and recorder that allows users to lay down digital loops of blips and beeps or perform them live. Through the use of gesture based beat selection, users can choose to either perform live or record a sample and endlessly loop it. Simple and affordable, Beat Boxx is available as both a pre-made ready to go unit and as a user buildable/customizable kit.

  

  http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4038918&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
  Beat Boxxx! from Steve Varga on Vimeo.
  Download the Code!
   
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  Yury Gitman 10:42 am on March 27, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  LEDs with IR Sensor 

  Here’s my LEDs with an IR sensor plugged in, showing both the proximity and the reading using 8 LEDs in a line as well as a fading PWM LED.

  http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3943667&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
  IR Sensor with LEDs from Steve Varga on Vimeo.
  Download IrLEDs
   
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  Yury Gitman 10:47 am on March 23, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Speak to Me//Breathe User Testing 

  Here is a short video of two interviews with my roomates after I set up my project in our apartment for a couple days and they checked it out. Overall I think they thought it was interesting but would like to see it as more of a decorative object when not in use. I agree with this after living with it myself, and would like to investigate making it a bit thinner and making the shell a lot more high fidelity (molded rubber or 3D printing??). I also tweaked the animation sequencing a bit, still not happy with it completely but I think its getting there!

  http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3837057&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
  Speak to Me//Breathe User testing from Steve Varga on Vimeo.
   
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  Yury Gitman 3:06 pm on March 13, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Speak to Me/Breathe 

  Here is my final prototype for my LED Time Based project. I totally
  reworked my project after a lot of user testing, and built everything
  from the ground up. I spent a lot of time doing the woodwork/templates,
  and the code as well.

  Speak to Me/Breathe is a project that shows communication over time
  by displaying my incoming email messages in Braille format on a large
  LED driven interface. The project is both an exploration of Braille as
  a visual 6-bit binary form of communication vs its normal tactile form,
  as well as a commentary on information security and encryption. Now
  that everything in the world is connected through the internet, is any
  of our data completely secure? By displaying my emails in an encrypted
  form, they are readily available for anyone to read if they put in the
  effort to learn and use visual braille. For the most part my
  information is secure because this is entirely too much work for a lot
  of people, but those who are determined enough will ultimately be able
  to read my mail despite the encryption.

  http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3616219&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
  Speak to Me/Breathe: Part 1 from Steve Varga on Vimeo.
  http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3616506&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
  Speak to Me/Breathe: Part 2 from Steve Varga on Vimeo.

  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
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  Yury Gitman 4:01 pm on March 10, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Prototypes-Final 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
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  Yury Gitman 2:53 pm on March 6, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  User Testing 

  For my user tests, I surveyed 7 individuals with somewhat consistent questions which evolved slightly as I received more feedback and my idea began to transform. Here is the functional diagram which I presented to my users as a visual while explaining my concepts:

  

  After presenting and explaining the concepts, I asked the following questions:

  Which of these concepts appeals to you the most?
  Can you see yourself using any of these items in your everyday life?
  Please expand upon the item you think appeals the most to you. Why does this appeal to you? What uses do you think you could find for this prototype outside of the intended uses presented?
  Which direction would you rather the concept be pushed in: Purely decorative or more functional?

  I then had about a 5-10 minute expanded conversation about the concepts with each individual, noting their ideas/advice/reactions and asking follow up questions to expand upon their comments.

  This is an overall summary of the reactions that I received:

  Prototype 1 (Clock):

  Most users thought that this concept was interesting in a decorative manner, but did not seem very enthused or excited about it. There was an overall feeling that in order for this concept to work, the lights had to have a  much more organic/soft/slow feel, or it would soon become distracting and annoying. While this item does technically have a function (counting to 30), most users couldn't think of any situation in which they'd use this. I think that this functionality could be incorporated as an alternate mode, however I'm not too excited about it and I think that I will probably leave it out of the final prototype. I think that a more organic and random pattern would be more interesting if I'm going to include a passive decorative display.

  Prototype 2 (Braille):

  This concept showed the strongest amount of interest from users, however I quickly realized that the way I had currently imagined it being implemented was not realizing the full potential and possibilities of the device. After taking several combined comments into consideration, I realized that I could show passage of time as a representation of the rhythm of communication. A seemingly random pattern of dots, changing with the PWM glow of the outer ring, could actually be conveying a message to those able to read the braille language. This message would eventually be programmable via USB/serial interface and a GUI application, allowing the user to use the device as a light-based communication protocol.

  Prototype 3 (NightLight):

  User response to this concept was generally favorable and interested. Users did not seem to react to this as being enough of a concept on its own, however they reacted very favorably to this functionality as a secondary/extra mode of the device. I think that I will incorporate this mode if I have space for it as far as PWM pins go, but if it hinders my ability to create a really solid version of prototype 2 I will leave it out.

  User Scenarios

  Here are some use scenarios for my Visual Braille Communication Device

  User 1-Geraldo

  Geraldo is a 10 year old boy who is interested in secret messages, encrption, and communication. He loves to learn new ways to encode and transmit messages, imagining himself as a war-time spy passing sensitive information to other spies behind enemy lines. Geraldo is interested in the VBCD because it allows him to learn a language that is easily decrypted by someone who is trained and completely meaningless to the vast majority of individuals who are not. He sees value in the fact that the vast majority of individuals who can read Braille can not interpret the device, making the device an extremely interesting and secure way for him to transmit his messages. Geraldo recruits his friend across the street, Bill, who is also interested in secret messages, and together they spend the summer perfecting their ability to read and decode each others messages, spending late nights talking to each other while their parents are fast asleep.

  User 2-Montell

  Montell is a 25 year old IT professional who lives in Manhattan. He has recently moved into a new apartment and needs something decorative for his walls. He is very much into technology and appreciates all things digital, and wants something that will look decorative but also allow him to modify it programmatically. The VBCD appeals to him as a wall mounted device because of its simple/elegant look (this version is made of wood), its high-tech functionality, and its night-light functionality which allows him to avoid bumping his legs on his furniture when he wakes up late at night to get a drink or go to the bathroom. He also finds the soothing nightlight patterns gently put him to sleep and help clear his mind from his day's work.

  User 3-Ricky

  Ricky is a 40 year old middle school teacher who is looking for a creative way to teach her class about alternate forms of language and disabilities. As a classroom exercise, she uses the VBCD with her students to explain to them how the Braille language works, and then she breaks them into groups and has them create their own Braille messages on devices. The students then stand across the classroom and take turns trying to read each other's messages, and doing so gain the experience of understanding the overall way in which blind people communicate.
   
• 

  Yury Gitman 12:28 pm on March 3, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Prototype Sketches 

  Here are my sketches for prototyping the Role, Look, and Feel of my project.

  I started by trying to think of as many possible roles for the  project as I could. I wish I had done this from the beginning, as I was somewhat limited by the current form factor/designs that I currently have and didn't want to get too different since the time we have left is limited. For my next iteration I will definitely start lilke this.

  The three roles I chose were clock, nightlight, and alarm system.

  Here are my sketches:
  
  
   
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  Yury Gitman 3:21 pm on February 24, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Student Lecture 3 

  Steve, Thai, Bruce – AnalogWrite, PWM, Fading LED’s, Multiple LED’s via PWM, Tri-Color LEDs, Cases, Switch Case, goto 

  Student Lecture 3http://static.slideshare.net/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=studentlecture3-090224142008-phpapp02&stripped_title=student-lecture-3

  View more presentations from bruzed.

  
  

  Multiple LED’s with PWM

  

  int value = 0; // variable to keep the actual value
  int pins[] = {9, 10, 11}; // light connected to digital pin 9
  int numPins = 3;
  void setup()
  {
  // nothing for setup
  }
  void loop()
  {
  int i;
  for (i=0; i < numPins; i++)
  {
  for(value = 0 ; value = 0; j–)
  {
  for(value = 255; value >=0; value-=5) // fade out (from max to min)
  {
  analogWrite(pins[j], value);
  delay(30);
  }
  }
  }

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Tri-Color LED’s

  
  

  // light connected to digital pin 9, 10, 11
  int pins[] = {9, 10, 11};
  void setup()
  {
  // nothing for setup
  }
  void loop()
  {
  // variable to keep the actual value
  int value = 0;
  //variables to check if fade in for a color is complete
  int fadedIn1 = 0;
  int fadedIn2 = 0;
  int fadedIn3 = 0;
  //variables to check if fade out for a color is complete
  int fadedOut1 = 0;
  int fadedOut2 = 0;
  int fadedOut3 = 0;
  //fade in blue
  if (fadedIn1 != 1){
  for(value = 255; value >=0; value-=5)
  {
  analogWrite(pins[1], value);
  delay(60);
  fadedIn1 = 1;
  }
  }
  //fade in green
  if (fadedIn2 != 1){
  for(value = 255; value >=0; value-=5)
  {
  analogWrite(pins[0], value);
  delay(60);
  fadedIn2 = 1;
  }
  }
  //fade in red
  if (fadedIn3 != 1){
  for(value = 255; value >=0; value-=5)
  {
  analogWrite(pins[2], value);
  delay(60);
  fadedIn3 = 1;
  }
  }
  //fade out red
  if (fadedOut1 != 1){
  for(value = 0; value <=255; value+=5)
  {
  analogWrite(pins[2], value);
  delay(60);
  fadedOut1 = 1;
  }
  }
  //fade out green
  if (fadedOut2 != 1){
  for(value = 0; value <=255; value+=5)
  {
  analogWrite(pins[0], value);
  delay(60);
  fadedOut2 = 1;
  }
  }
  //fade out blue
  if (fadedOut3 != 1){
  for(value = 0; value <=255; value+=5)
  {
  analogWrite(pins[1], value);
  delay(60);
  fadedOut3 = 1;
  }
  }
  }

  Here is a short video of the Switch/Case circuit that was presented in class:

  http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3391872&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
  Switch/Case with RGB LEDs from Steve Varga on Vimeo.

  And here is the code:

  int rLED=11;
  int gLED=9;
  int bLED=10;
  int but1=4;
  int but2=3;
  int but3=2;
  void setup() {
  pinMode(rLED, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(gLED, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(bLED, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(but1, INPUT);
  pinMode(but2, INPUT);
  pinMode(but3, INPUT);
  resetLEDs();
  }
  void loop() {
  int numPressed=0;
  if(digitalRead(but1)==LOW) {
  numPressed+=1;
  }
  if(digitalRead(but2)==LOW) {
  numPressed+=1;
  }
  if(digitalRead(but3)==LOW) {
  numPressed+=1;
  }
  Serial.println(numPressed);
  switch(numPressed) {
  case 1:
  resetLEDs();
  analogWrite(rLED,0);
  break;
  case 2:
  resetLEDs();
  analogWrite(gLED,0);
  break;
  case 3:
  resetLEDs();
  analogWrite(bLED,0);
  break;
  default:
  resetLEDs();
  }
  }
  void resetLEDs() {
  analogWrite(rLED,255);
  analogWrite(gLED,255);
  analogWrite(bLED,255);
  }
   
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  Yury Gitman 2:56 pm on February 20, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Prototype 3 

  New iteration of the the time passing LED prototypes. Definitely getting very close to a finished product this time around. Doubled the amount of LEDs, used white spray paint as a diffuser (MUCH better now ), and adding some circular masking elements. I can now see what the final iteration will be and I think it will be cool.

  http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3299828&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
  Time Passing LEDs v0.3 from Steve Varga on Vimeo.
   
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  Yury Gitman 2:16 pm on February 20, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Library Research 

  My library research yielded several results of time based media.

  The first example I found was featured in the book "Type in Motion 2" by Matt Woolman.

  The featured project is entitled "Industorious Clock" and is by Yugo Nakamura. This site can be still viewed online at http://www.yugop.com/ver3/stuff/03/fla.html, despite being created in 2001. I think the fact that this site is still relevant and impressive in a time where projects quickly becoming outdated looking speaks to the quality of the project. As you can see by viewing the site, the time is drawn by hand in video format, and then quickly erased. As the time moves towards greater increments (seconds to minute to hours etc) the motion becomes almost beat-like, creating a hand drawn animation of time.

  "Circular Breathing" is an installation work by Gary Hill created in 1994. The book "Seeing Time", a group of excerpts from the Pamela and Richard Kramlich Collection, describes the works functionality as such:
  "In Circular Breathing, sound is a constant presence that unites a series of fleeting images inside a visual and aural circuit. Five large black-and-white images appear sequentially, from left to right, across a wall of the gallery. As each successive image appears, its speed, and the speed of the sound, is "shared" with the previous ones, until all five images reach an almost photographic stillness, ground to a halt and blurred by the heavily slowed-down sound. As the last image slides off to the right, the sounds resumes its original speed, until it is replaced by another, full-speed sound and a sharp image, both emerging from the left. "

  The video speed and motion reflects the breathing patterns of a human being, and the immersive video slowly begins to engulf the viewer as their own circadian rythms begin to sync with their environment. I think this use of the bodies built in timing as a means of expressing the passage of time is a great and really creative.

  Here's a video of it I found online:
  http://www.sfmoma.org/multimedia/videos/219