Objects with Life        (4/15 Update)

Since the mid-review, my primary goal has been to identify the types of movement that can best express my idea, as well as the methods to achieve them, given the limited time remaining.


I decided to make 2 work-like prototypes, showcasing different movements, and 1 look-like prototype that has the ideal CMF.
 


1) Worm-like moving (work-like prototype)

I’m currently designing the mold and casting the “neck” and “tail” in silicone.

 The LED cables and three metal wires are embedded within the silicone, allowing the structure to hold its shape while remaining flexible. The lamp will be able to keep its head lifted and illuminated.

As the creature moves across the structure, the silicone materiality will wobble slightly, creating the illusion of liveliness while actually being still. 





2) Head and tail movements (work-like prototype)

I’m currently exploring ways to make the flexible and rigid parts read as a consistent material, so the transition between them feels more seamless rather than what I have right now. 

(I actually don’t mind how the two parts look different, but I guess a consistent material would make it look more “professional”?  But this is supposed to be just a prototype, so I think it’s okay if they ended up looking like two different materials. What do you think?)

As for the code, I’ll begin developing a set of presets to showcase different emotional states the lamp could express, for instance, happy, sad, and curious...




3) Static with Ideal CMF (work-like prototype)


I can’t find my sketches for the different base options at the moment, but this is the current stand I have. I was exploring the idea of having the base resemble the shadow of the structure, though I’m not sure if the current stand fully achieves that effect. I’d really appreciate any feedback on the base.

To make the lamp feel more “real”, I’m planning to include a power cord that exits from the side of the structure and plugs into a fake outlet mounted on the pedestal.

For the look-like prototype, I plan to have the head oriented upward, rather than downward, as the picture on the left. I will still install the LED, which I can program to dim, brighten, or change color if needed.


For the CMF, I’ll divide the parts into Structure, Base, Body+Neck+Tail, Head, and Cord.

 Structure:matte or low-gloss white powder-coated metal

Base


Body+Neck+Tail


Head


Chord






4) Exhibition Plan

For the show (and second defense), I’ll have both work-like prototypes functioning, along with a static prototype to present the ideal CMF. I’ll also include a screen displaying a video of the lamp interacting with people.

I may include a few earlier iterations of the lamp, as well as the chunky lamp I developed last semester. I’ll finalize this decision once the exhibition space is confirmed.




Plan A
A long pedestal, from left to right: the screen, work-like prototype, look-like prototype, work-like prototype.Plan B
Pedestal with a wall panel, from left to right: the head tail work-like prototype, look-like prototype, worm-like moving prototype on the wall, and screen on the table.

The pedestal will be similar to the reference image on the right, with panels enclosing the front and back, and cut-outs on the top.

Each lamp will be mounted onto an individual stand, which will then be slotted into the pedestal.

The front of the pedestal will be a sheet of plywood, while the back may be a few removable clear or frosted acrylic panels. This would allow partial visibility of the internal mechanisms, while also providing access for maintenance and repairs. However, if the internal components appear too visually messy, the back panel will be replaced with plywood.

These will be fabricated by an ID undergrad. 


What I’m still thinking about:

I personally prefer Plan B, as it allows me to showcase the different orientations in which the lamp can be installed. However, a hanging setup would introduce additional complexity.
Since the overall piece will be fairly long (nearly 8 feet), I might have it fabricated in two sections that can be placed side by side. But I’m not sure how that's going to look from the top.

Where to display the chunky lamp from last semester and earlier prototypes or components used in the lamp. If I include overhanging sides, similar to the reference image, and make them longer, I could possibly put them on there? 



5) Timeline

• 4/12- 4/18                             - Finalize the design for the stands that the lamps will be mounted onto
           - Finalize the design for the pedestal that goes into the show

                   - Start making plans for the demos and video

• 4/19- 4/25

                   - Finish making both work-like prototypes
                   - Finish fabrication for the stands for the lamps (ID undergrad will do this)
                   - Finalize the design for the pedestal that goes into the show
                   - Finalize plans for demos and video

• 4/26- 5/2

                   - Prep for first defense
                   - Finalize the codes and presets of movements
                   - Start filming video (I might hire a FAV person to do this?) 

• 5/3- 5/9 (First Defence this week)

                   - Make the look-like prototype
                   - Film video
                   - Edit video (I’ll hire someone to do this)
                   - Start making the pedestal for the show

• 5/10- 5/16

                   - Film video
                   - Edit video (I’ll hire someone to do this)                    - Prep for second defence
                   - Video and Pedastol should be done by the end of the week

• 5/17- 5/20 (5/19 Second Defence, 5/20 Show Opening)

                   - Set up the exhibition
                   - Finish everything



Q&A

• How are you feeling about all of it?

I feel like I’m in a good place right now. Most of the making methods have been tested and confirmed, which makes me feel more confident moving forward. I just need to lock in and stick with my plan.

• How can we best support you?

I was initially a bit nervous about the coding, but I feel more comfortable with it now. For the defense demos, I’m planning to create a few preset behaviors that showcase the “aliveness” of the lamp. For example, how the lamp might behave when it feels sad, excited, curious..., rather than assigning explicit meanings to each movement, such as it’s telling the user to clean the desk (this was my original approach). This shift allows the movements to remain open-ended and interpretable, encouraging the audience to project their own meanings onto the lamp’s behavior rather than receiving a fixed instruction.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on this approach. These presets will also loop during the exhibition.

My biggest concern right now is the video. Since the lamp won’t be interactive during the exhibition, the video becomes critical; it serves both as proof of concept and as documentation of user interaction. Ideally, I’d like to film the lamp with a person in the scene, capturing their reactions as the lamp communicates through gesture. I’m still deciding whether to film it myself or hire someone (possibly students from FAV). I will likely hire someone to edit the video.

I just realized that the video of people interacting with the lamps would be the ones that look very prototypey (if that make sense, because that is the one that will be moving).  I do have a connection with someone who does animation, so maybe creating an animated version of the lamp to show its ideal form and intended CMF? What do you think? Is it okay for the video to have the lamp looking very prototypey?

I’m still at the very early stage of developing the CMF for the look-like prototype, so any suggestions or feedback on that would be really helpful.