Module 1 Activity Research

Weekly Activity Template

Brianna Wright

Project 1

Module 1

Formstorming Process with Arduinos

Activity 1

For this portion of the activity, we had just been given our breadboards and Arduinos to experiment with for the first time. We learned the recommended wiring colour systems to keep track of the ground, and positive and negative charged wires. We installed Arduino IDE and set up our code to experiment with blinking an LED light.

We tested out how the circuit would work with a continuous loop, so after we set our Arduino to turn on the light for a fixed amount of seconds, then turn it off, and it would repeat that process.

After experimenting with the wiring and lights, we moved on to experimenting with the colour-coded resistors, capping it at a certain charge amount to run our circuits.

Afterwards, we tried experimenting with 2 resistors in our circuit, changing the resistance amount to see how it affected the brightness of the LED light.

Then, we had used a button to control the LED light, so the light would only turn on when the button was pressed.

Activity 2

For this activity, we were tasked with using our Arduinos with Protopie, and here I was trying to set up the code in Arduino IDE to connect the Arduino to Protopie.

Then, I set up the Protopie side of the connection, downloading the template I was given by my professor and trying to figure out how to connect them both.

After, I was trying to test the Arduino sensors to see what data it was picking up, and I blew onto it to see how it would affect the readings, and I noticed it changed both the temperature and humiidity readings.

Finally, I was able to get both the Arduino and Protopie connected, and I was able to see the data from the sensors being picked up in Protopie on my phone

Afterwards, there was a Makey-Makey exercise used to change the colours on the Ipad by touching the alligator clips together, both me and my partner tested it out.

Activity 3

For the 3rd activity, I was tasked to integrate our Arduino with Touch Designer, and here I was trying to set up the code in Arduino IDE to connect the Arduino to Touch Designer using the template given called 'PotSeedShield'.

Then my partner and I had experimented with the dial on the Arduino as well as the settings of the Touch Designer template, changing the size and colour of the circle.

After, I figured out how to change the port on Touch Designer to match the port my Arduino was connected to, and I was able to get the data from the Arduino to be picked up in Touch Designer.

I worked through the in-class tutorial of how to incorporate a 3D shape in Touch Designer, and I was adding the parameters necessary to create the shape, add light, and render the shape as well. We also experimented with other shapes like the torus to see how they looked.

Finally, we continued to experiment with Touch Designer, but we weren't able to fully render and have the shape be displayed on the screen, as well as be functional with the Arduino. Though, I did try to play around with some of the settings, but nothing changed.

Research Activity

WGSN Consumer Trend Research

My research on the current consumer trends.

As I was exploring the WGSN website, I reviewed many websites and articles about current consumer trends. I found myself drawn most to the articles about the environment, family life, and home tech IOT devices.

This is a baby-tech article that stood out to me, as I have an interest in family life and parenting. I found it interesting how technology is being integrated into baby products (ex. smart baby monitors, smart breast pumps, etc. ), and I can see how this is a growing trend in the market.

This is an anti food-waste article that I came across, it piqued my interest due to the food crisis we are currently facing globally. It's a key issue that I feel passionate to solve, and the examples listed like food-sharing apps, and biowaste bins are all great ideas to help combat food waste, and I can use these ideas in my own project, integrating smart tech.

WGSN Personas Research

My research on the current consumer personas.

During my persona research process, I found that the Conventionalists are a group that I feel would benefit the most from smart baby tech products. This audience is described as a low-tech, and connection-seeking group with traditional family values, and I feel that baby tech products would help them stay connected with their family members.

The New-Independents are a persona group that I feel benefit the most from anti food-waste products. This group is often described as eco-conscious, and ethically minded, so I feel that they would be drawn to products that help reduce food waste, and help the environment.

The Privacy Keepers are another persona group that I felt would've benefitted from anti food-waste products. They're often described as tech-aversive due to their concerns about data privacy, and want ownership and choice over how their data is used.I feel that ant food waste products would be appealing to them as they are often low-tech, and don't require a lot of data to function.

HMI Research

This is my HMI research as it pertained to my baby tech research.

During my HMI research, I was sifting through the data collected about parent's needs. And one top statistic was the lack of sleep parents get when they have a child. This is a key issue that I could leverage in my project, by creating a product that requires minimal interaction, thus allowing parents to get more sleep.

Another top statistic that stood out to me was the average annual cost for raising a child, which is approximately $13,000. This is a key issue that I could leverage in my project, by creating a product that is affordable and cost-effective for parents.

After reviewing the data on the WGSN website, I looked for successful smart baby tech products that are currently on the market. I found a few examples of smart baby monitors, and smart breast pumps that are successful, and I can use these examples as inspiration for my own project.

This is my HMI research as it pertained to my anti-food waste research.

During my HMI research, a key statistic I found on the website was the rising number of global food waste of this year alone. This inspired me to do further research to figure out why the number was rising so rapidly, and see the solutions on the market to help combat food waste.

As I was researching current food-waste solutions, I came across food-sharing apps and websites that help connect people and companies with excess food to those in need. I planned to use this as inspiration for my own project.

There were also trends found with AI assistance with predicting food waste, analyzing data such as leftover food, purchasing history, and production. It was used to streamline the food production process, increasing profits and reducing unnecessary costs, and reducing our carbon footprint. I found this to be a great idea, and I can use this as inspiration for my own project, and helped me come up with the idea to incorporate smart tech expiration date tracking to help reduce food waste.

Project Path

This is my project path brainstorming process.

One of my ideas was leaning towards a baby-tech product that monitors children, and helps parents stay connected with their family members. With this idea, I realized I leaned towards the design path for my second project, as I wanted to implement UX design into my process.

Another idea I had was the food-sharing application, which could help reduce food waste on both the individual and commercial levels, and some sort of prototype to go with it that kept track of expiration dates, which can help businesses to give away 'less than amazing, and close to expiry, but still good and edible' food, or to help individuals track the food expiry dates and reduce unnecessary food spoilage. This idea also leaned towards the design path, as I wanted to implement UX design into my process.

My last idea was to try and incorporate the bio-waste bins into a smart tech product that could help reduce food waste. I was thinking maybe integrating AI into the bin to help track food waste and give suggestions on how to tackle it. Potentially, advising people to dispose of food waste or trash properly, repurpose food scraps, and prevent smells. This is also another design path idea.

Project 1 Concept

Project 1 Concept

Final Project 1 Concept, group resistance band smart tech device

<p> In the end, I ended up not choosing any of the ideas I had prior. I decided to join another group and work on a different idea. Our idea is to create a resistance band smart tech device, that works alongside an app that tracks your workout data. <br> <br> Image Citation: Maridav. “Resistance Band Exercise at Home. Woman Doing Pilates Workout Using Elastic Strap Pulling with Arms for Shoulder Training on Yoga Mat Indoors. Stock Photo | Adobe Stock.” Adobe Stock, 2025, stock.adobe.com/images/resistance-band-exercise-at-home-woman-doing-pilates-workout-using-elastic-strap-pulling-with-arms-for-shoulder-training-on-yoga-mat-indoors/375043319?prev_url=detail. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.</p>

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