The Arcade Multimeter

Transforming everyday tools from purely functional objects into playful and engaging experiences. 


Duration
January 2026 (1 week)

Skills
CAD modeling (SolidWorks) , 3D printing (Bambu Lab), soldering

Materials
PLA & PETG (3D printing), screws, magnets, multimeter






Most tools exist to do a job and disappear.  Nobody keeps a multimeter around because they like looking at it. I wanted to see what happens if it didn't have to be that plain.

"Objects carry personal meaning beyond utility. At the reflective level of design, ownership fosters identity, pride, and deep emotional attachment."
— Donald Norman, Emotional Design (2004)
This project reimagines a multimeter by shifting its focus from purely functional to expressive and approachable. Instead of treating it just as a technical device, I explored how it could feel more like an object people enjoy interacting with. 



How It Works



Once I started physical computing, I used a multimeter constantly — and realized nothing on the market was designed to be enjoyed, only used. Most tools are made to do a job and disappear. I wanted to see what a multimeter could be if it earned its place on your desk.
Form


Digital Multimeter
Land of Oz Arcades 
An arcade shares a multimeter's basic anatomy: a screen up top, controls below. It became the perfect "skin", familiar controls dressed as something playful you'd actually want to keep out. 

The goal: make the object inviting at rest and more engaging in use.
Prototyping



To move fast and keep it functional, I disassembled an existing multimeter and designed a new enclosure around its actual PCB, screen, and internals — reverse-engineering the layout so the electronics fit and worked in the new form.



I iterated on the front panel's angle to make sure the screen stays easy to read when placed on the table.



Modeled in SolidWorks, 3D-printed in PLA and PETG on a Bambu Lab printer, assembled with screws and magnets.




The Arcade Multimeter          /          How It Works          /           Form           /           Prototyping