It's been a struggle to get my ideas sorted out lately. My mind feels like a jumble, with these grand
visions that seem overly ambitious. Taking a step back and relaxing seems like an impossible task
right now.
Running has become my go-to method to clear my mind. There's something about the rhythm of my steps
that helps organize my thoughts, preparing me for a peaceful night's sleep. Along the way, I've
noticed a pattern – I mentally mark my route, noting every lamp post and sign. It's almost a
subconscious way of setting mini-goals, allowing myself to stop at these points.
In trying to make sense of my ideas, I've started to break them down into more manageable pieces. It's
like learning how to turn on a light with a button – a small but significant achievement. Now, I'm
contemplating the next step: making the lights illuminate consecutively with each press of the button.
This process, I realize, could be translated into a design system. Imagine overlaying buttons with
specific goals, creating a bookmark system of sorts. It's a way to visually track and celebrate these
small victories, providing a tangible representation of progress. Maybe this approach could be
extended to help others keep track of their own goals, turning my technical experiments into a
user-friendly design system. It's a step towards turning those grand visions into achievable,
bite-sized goals.
Prototyping
I created a basic prototype, keeping it simple with a button that turns on consecutive lights.
However, I hit a roadblock when the Arduino seemed to stop working when the button and LED were too
far apart. I suspected that the current might be weakening over the distance, so I tweaked some parts,
but it still didn't work.
In a moment of experimentation, I decided to use additional jumper wires to connect the components
directly, bypassing the board. Lo and behold, it worked! While I might not have the scientific
explanation for this, it seems like the electricity was indeed getting weaker as it traveled through
the board.
This experience became a hands-on lesson in troubleshooting and adapting in real-time. It's a reminder
that sometimes, the solution is found through practical experimentation, not just theory. This little
hiccup turned into a victory as I unraveled the mystery and got my prototype working. It's these small
victories that make the journey of learning and creating so rewarding.
Time to focus
Over the next few days, my brain went into autopilot mode, constantly mulling over how to incrementally enhance my sequential lights prototype. First up, I introduced a button as a trigger. It was a simple addition but a crucial step towards interactivity.
Building on that, I modified the setup so that the lights stayed on when the button was pressed. This added a layer of control and engagement – a small but impactful tweak. Then came the exciting part: I made it such that pressing the button once not only kept the lights on but also triggered the next light in the sequence. It was a subtle yet significant progression in the functionality.
Taking it a step further, I introduced a reset mechanism. Now, pressing the button twice would reset the sequence, providing a sense of user control and flexibility. This iterative process of adding and refining elements was a thrilling journey of experimentation and discovery.
Each adjustment was a conscious decision, a choice influenced by the desire to enhance user experience and create a more dynamic and engaging prototype. The beauty of this process lies not just in the end result but in the incremental steps, the moments of revelation, and the satisfaction of seeing a simple idea evolve into something more complex and interactive.
Montage of making
Completed Prototype 1
Completing my prototype marks a significant milestone in my creative journey. It's a culmination of persistent efforts, problem-solving, and a commitment to turning a conceptual idea into a tangible reality. Reflecting on this achievement, several key aspects stand out.
Firstly, the satisfaction of implementing all the features I envisioned is profound. It demonstrates not only my technical competence but also the clarity of my vision and the ability to translate abstract ideas into functional elements. The iterative process of adding features incrementally allowed me to refine and enhance the prototype organically, ensuring that each addition served a purpose and contributed to the overall user experience.
Working within my means emerged as a critical aspect of this journey. Navigating limitations, whether they were related to resources, technology, or expertise, forced me to be resourceful and creative in finding solutions. This constraint-based approach not only fostered a sense of adaptability but also pushed me to think critically about the essential elements that would make the prototype effective and meaningful.
The realization that I was able to achieve my goals speaks not only to technical proficiency but also to perseverance. There were undoubtedly moments of frustration and setbacks, but the ability to persist, learn from failures, and iterate on the design showcases a resilience crucial in any creative endeavor.
Now, I needed to create the challenge book series to accompany my prototype.
Challenge Book
Crafting this challenge series book to accompany my prototype is an exciting venture, driven by insights from the room experiment. I've recognized that people don't want to be reminded of work during unmotivated moments. Instead, the focus is on conditioning a mindset that allows individuals to set their own bite-sized goals, preventing the overwhelming feeling that often leads to a lack of motivation.
In terms of content, I've chosen superbly irrelevant challenges, like drinking 10 cups of water in a day. The idea here is to make these challenges whimsical and easily achievable, promoting the concept of setting manageable goals. By letting individuals determine their goals, I aim to instill a sense of ownership and personalization in their motivational journey.
Aesthetically, I've drawn inspiration from the meme collection experiment. Memes, with their relatable and humorous nature, seem like the perfect vehicle to connect with a broad audience. Opting for a more casual and approachable design, as opposed to a clean and professional one, feels like the right choice. I want to ensure that the content is not intimidating but rather relatable and engaging.
One distinctive touch is the satirical cover page, playfully mocking traditional motivational books. It's a deliberate move to set a tone of humor and authenticity throughout the book. This decision not only sets the project apart but also aligns with my goal of making the goal-setting process enjoyable and lighthearted.
Reflecting on this project, I feel a sense of fulfillment in blending psychology, motivation, and user experience. However, the critical aspect lies in maintaining a balance between humor and the serious intent of the challenge series. I need to ensure that the irrelevance and humor amplify the genuine goal-setting and motivational aspects without overshadowing them. Continuous feedback and iterative refinement will be essential to striking this balance and ensuring the book resonates effectively with my intended audience.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
