Week 00: Principles and Practices

Assignment

Model (raster, vector, 2D, 3D, render, animate, simulate, ...) a possible final project, compress your images and videos, and post a description with your design files on your class page.

View my final project proposal →

Initial Project Direction

My project, HardWear: Cyber-Organic Jewelry Line, explores wearable electronics as both craft and circuit. This week I focused on orienting the concept and laying groundwork for the PCB jewellery pieces that will merge traditional jewellery aesthetics with electronic functionality.

I began by revisiting my interest in jewellery, wearable forms and sensitive interaction. Building on previous work in my studio practise (with the focus on materiality, tactility and process), I now intend to translate that into electronics + form. The initial board design — a "Sun pendant" PCB: a capacitive copper disk surrounded by LED rays — forms the prototype axis for the line. (As documented on the Final Project page.)

Modelling Experiments & Files

1. Vector Sketching

Created simple Illustrator drawings of concentric circular shapes, radial "rays", and copper trace patterns inspired by sun motifs and organic vein systems. These vector sketches visualize potential board outlines and jewellery shapes.

Files: week01_sun_rays.ai, week01_trace_patterns.svg

2. PCB Board Layout Exploration

Imported vector forms into board layout software (Fusion 360 Electronics or similar) as outlines for future PCB design. Began exploring copper pour areas, pad shapes, mounting holes, and the arrangement of LEDs around the circle.

Files: week01_board_outline.f3d, week01_component_placement.pcb (placeholder)

3. Early 3D Form Test

Though the main work is board design, I created a very simple 3D extruded model to visualise thickness, edge treatment and wearable scale.

File: week01_form_extrude.f3d

Reflections

This page will be updated with my project management documentation, website setup process, and initial project modeling work. Modelling from the start helped clarify wearable scale, the relationship between board geometry and jewellery form, and how traces might act as aesthetic elements not just functional.

I realised that even simple vector sketches are valuable to set the mood and direction before deep technical work. The process of importing vector geometry into PCB layout software exposed the alignment between my jewellery design background and the electronic fabrication path.

The design is still open—this week is about exploration, documentation and establishing workflow rather than completing the final form.

Next Steps

• Week 02: Finalise board outline for the Sun pendant and begin schematic design (capacitive touch sensor + LEDs)
• Continue refining vector sketches and prepare presentation of vector files and compressed images for documentation