This week I focused on switches for my prototypes. I created three simple prototypes based on “soft switches”. I used snaps, magnetic snaps and a zipper.

The intention of these prototypes is to test simple actions that children are able to do and might find interesting to trigger electronics. This is the first stage of my step by step prototyping process to focus week by week on things that work and don’t work for my audience.

Materials

Prototype # 1

• Snaps
• Magnetic Snaps

This prototype focused on the switches and what might interest children. The first switch is built with metallic snaps, the second one with magnetic snaps and the third one with the same magnetic snaps hidden under felt fabric.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/2220173]

Prototype # 2

• Snaps

This prototype focused on creating a domino puzzle game with three squares of felt with LEDs. These pieces can only be put together on one way to trigger the LEDs and complete the puzzle. The number of snaps correspond to the number the piece represent, for example, for the third piece with three LEDs there are three snaps.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/2220242]

Prototype # 3

• Zipper

The intention of this prototype was to create a zipper sensor to trigger the LEDs. For the moment is not working and I’m on a troubleshooting stage.

I wanted to use simple objects to create switches that children are able to manipulate and can be found on any place. I also focused on the fine motor skills they’re able to do at this stage.