Hands-on Innovation
Critical Making
In the world of design and innovation, the journey from ideation to implementation is often jumbled with uncertainties. How do we expand our ideas beyond the familiar? How can we infuse our projects with meaningful expression? To help us with expanding the horizon of our ideas, we explored critical making, and used tools like Arduino's Uno Maker kit, 3D printing, and laser cutting to bring ideas to life. Here, the focus wasn't on creating technically perfect products, but on the journey itself. We used these tools to build prototypes, sparking discussions and reflections on the final project.
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In the 3D printing and laser cutting class, we used Autodesk's Fusion 360 to design and print objects for presentations or laser-cut pieces from cardboard. Check out this awesome birdbox I made for a starling! It was a blast!
The Arduino Uno class was another eye-opener. While I had some experience with Arduino from my engineering background, this time it was different. I wasn’t just learning to code and connect components; I was using them with a goal in mind. I got an idea of using a motor in response to temperature fluctuations, aiming for energy efficiency by activating the motor only when necessary. While I ran into a bunch of coding errors in class, I persevered at home and got it working! This experience highlighted the power of critical making in transforming abstract ideas into tangible solutions.
However, not every endeavour unfolds seamlessly. In our case, our project's direction had already been established, leaving little room for integrating the critical making concepts we had explored. While this presented a challenge, it also served as a valuable lesson in adaptability and the importance of aligning ideation with implementation. Nevertheless, the journey into critical making left a lasting mark on my approach to design and innovation. It showed me how Arduino can be a powerful tool to evoke user reactions. Having something tangible to interact with was a game-changer!
This exploration of critical making may not have been directly implemented, but it opened my eyes to the possibilities. It's a powerful approach that can lead to innovative ideas and a deeper understanding of how technology impacts our lives. It made the complex relationship between technology and social lives (Matt Ratto, 2011) much easier to grasp.