Materials: Cardboard, Coark, RGB LED Light Strips, Reed Switches (magnetically
powered), Electrical Wiring, Batteries
powered), Electrical Wiring, Batteries
This was a group project conducted in a design studio course. My group’s focus was
helping senior citizens stay connected to their loved ones once their family members
have moved out of the household.
Pontem consists of two flower vases and their interactive holders that allows users to
connect emotionally through changing the color of the light being displayed on the
product’s frame. The small action of moving the magnetic pendulum to a new position
sends a message represented by a constant, ambient light of different colors being displayed on the frame of the vase holder located in the other user’s home. The user can communicate back and forth or send a reminder of their connection, through the distance, by changing the location of the magnet on their own vase.
This was an important project in further developing my design skills. I was able to gain
experience within electrical engineering, physical prototyping, CAD, user feedback
testing, and graphic design.
Carrying out a long term project and learning to pivot concepts in order to create a
strong, cohesive final design can effectively translated into my future architectural
design techniques.
Example of responses that can be assigned to different color settings, a magnet holds the pendulum in place and allows the color to turn on.
Rendering of Pontem vase on a living room table.
Inner circuiting
Functional light and magnetic response
Final working prototype
Final working prototype
Plans and product dimensions
Final virtual render
Blueprints, physical prototyping with functioning magnetic and light connections, and CAD renderings of the final design of the Pontem vase.
