Week 01: Final Project Proposal
I want to make my version of a small Tamagotchi device that is shaped like my dog, and plays game about my dog.
Fig. 1A Ceramic Russian doll of my dog I made back in 2011
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Why make a Tamagotchi game device that looks like my dog?
Well... My dog is no longer with me, but she is everywhere.
In every doodle I draw everyday, in every work I do.
I have always done some artwork about her throughout my childhood ever since she has been part of my life.
Fig. 1B Illustration of me and my dog from childhood
Fig. 1C Illustration of me and my dog from childhood
Fig. 1D Illustration of me and my dog from childhood
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In every part of my childhood imagination and daydreaming, shes in it.
I have already made almost anything about my dog.
Why not add to it and make a tamagotchi about my dog that will revive my childhood memory with her and to allow me to live in that time whenever I play with the device?
Fig. 1E Tamagotchi Device Ideation
Here is my initial sketch of how I want the tamagotchi to look like, and what components I want to add.
Fig. 1F Existing commertial tamagotchi device
Then I looked at the existing tamagotchi models, downloaded the 3D files of commercial tamagotchi casing to get the measurement information
to think through how I want to size my PCB, what components to add, and to design my own hardware and casing off of it.
Fig. 1I Lingdong's mini gaming device
Then I've visited the master of anything but also OLED and PCB aka Lingdong to consult about my project and design.
He has shown me his recent tiny game devices he has been making and gave me tips and trick on how to make a very compact design,
what types of components and batteris, and libraries I would use to make a tiny cute working Tamagotchi.
Fig. 1G My own hardware and casing design
The figure aboce shows that initial hardware and casing design after a several iterations.
I found it to be very helpful to 3D model and map the image of my actual PCB circut board in the 3D modeling environment.
I have also added all the components I will use as I design the casing to be precise with how they will eventually fit together.