Module 2 Activity Research

Weekly Activity Template

Tzu Yu Hwa

Project 2

Module 2

In these workshops, I explored fast cardboard prototyping to test physical structures and then built a simple copper-tape button using MakeyMakey. This process helped me connect physical input with digital interaction and understand how form and function work together.

Workshop 1 Geurilla Prototyping I

I built a simple cardboard prototype to check how well the phone could rest at a low viewing angle and whether the stand could keep it steady.

I experimented with a steeper tilt, adjusting the structure to make the screen easier to view while also improving the stand’s overall stability.

I tried positioning the phone at a sharper incline to see how the balance changed and to compare how each angle affected usability.

I then explored a vertical stand concept, creating a compact upright design to see if a slimmer, space-saving form could still support the phone effectively.

I reinforced the vertical build and tested how much weight the cardboard could handle, analyzing whether the thin structure could maintain strength without collapsing.

Workshop 2 Geurilla Prototyping II

I prepared the main cardboard base and cut a small window for the button mechanism. Copper tape was added underneath to create the conductive area for triggering the MakeyMakey input.

On the back, I routed two strips of copper tape to extend the conductive path. A small cardboard square was covered in copper tape to act as the top contact piece.

I connected the MakeyMakey to my laptop and attached alligator clips to the input and ground ports to prepare for testing the physical button.

The conductive cardboard button was attached to the MakeyMakey using alligator clips. Pressing the copper-taped square completes the circuit and sends a key input.

I tested the full setup by pressing the cardboard button, which sent a signal to ProtoPie and triggered my interaction on the laptop screen.

Activity 1: My Resarch

I identified the key knowns and unknowns in software, hardware, UI, and materials to determine what needs testing next.

I identified key unknowns across four categories to guide my testing priorities.

Step 3 helped me prioritize what is holding the project back and what I need to test next. Understanding these obstacles and curiosities gives me a clearer direction for improving the prototype.

Step 4 helped me decide which action is most practical to prototype now. Improving the button’s reliability will make all future testing smoother and more accurate.

Step 5 allowed me to fully test my chosen action and visually document how the prototype behaved in real use. This testing gave me clearer direction on what to refine next in both the hardware and the interface.

Activity 2: My Reearch

Step 1 helped me clearly identify the main challenges from my first test cycle and what adjustments were necessary. These insights make it easier to plan my next steps and refine the prototype more effectively.

Step 2 helped me clarify what I still don’t fully understand in my prototype. These unknowns point me toward the most important areas to test in the next stage.

Step 3 helped me sort my unknowns by urgency and curiosity so I can focus on what matters most. This makes it much clearer which issues I need to solve first before moving forward.

I chose the copper-tape button sensitivity as my next test because it’s the easiest to experiment with immediately and has the biggest impact on prototype reliability. This decision lets me refine the interaction before moving on to more complex UI and timing adjustments.

I tested different copper-tape layouts, pressure levels, and layering methods to find the most reliable button activation. These observations helped me understand which design improved sensitivity and what still needs refinement for the next prototype.

Additional Research or Workshops

This image compares different conductive and structural materials commonly used for DIY touch sensors, such as copper tape, aluminum foil, conductive fabric, and foam. It helps me evaluate which materials could improve my button’s sensitivity, durability, and overall reliability.

This set of images shows different examples of physical buttons and diagrams that explain how force, impact, and tactile feedback influence a button’s response. They help me understand what makes a button feel more reliable and how mechanics can affect user interaction.

These images illustrate how microinteractions work, showing the moment a user triggers an action and how the system responds through visual or tactile feedback. They help explain why timing and clarity in ProtoPie are important for making the dog’s response feel immediate and intuitive.

These images show simple usability testing methods and common finger-press points, helping me understand how to observe users’ natural behaviors when they press a physical button. They guide my testing plan by showing what to pay attention to—such as pressure patterns, comfort, and how consistently different users interact with the prototype.

These images show real examples of dogs using AAC communication buttons, which helped me understand how people interpret an animal’s “messages” and how the buttons are arranged in daily use. Seeing these cases gave me context for why my prototype matters and what kinds of interaction challenges or misunderstandings might appear.

Project 2

Project 2 Prototype

I created a physical button using cardboard and copper tape that connects to MakeyMakey and triggers an interaction in ProtoPie. When the button is pressed, the dog’s “hungry” message and sound appear instantly, showing how a simple physical input can create a clear digital response.

When the cardboard button is pressed, the copper tape triggers the MakeyMakey to send a “W” key signal, which ProtoPie uses to make the hungry bubble appear and play the eating sound. This final setup shows the complete flow from a real physical press to the dog’s digital response, making the interaction feel instant and real.

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