Ceres Miller

From my development, I considered there to be 3 key components to adaptable design for digital electronics:

A craft approach to making, where materials and construction of a product are craft-based.

A design that creates intrigue, encouraging a user to explore it physically.

Avenues for social and community cooperation, providing a way to learn and ask questions, share resources, and motivate the user.

The product includes the camera kit itself, but also to support an end user's ability to make using the camera, it includes warranty, an online forums service bringing users of the camera together to ask questions, share information, and exhibit their work, an online documentation service curating a library of information and resources, and paper instructions detailing assembly and asking the user to get involved in the community online by talking about their work and posting pictures.

Users talking about and exhibiting their work online is how new users come into the project. It provides inspiration and motivation to users, puts them in contact with experienced people, and helps a new user develop their own methods and goals for making.

The design of the services was inspired by band posters, using bright colours and patterns to feel energetic and creative. The impression they are meant to give is that the camera is not just a tool for experienced makers, but for everybody, with variable skillsets, methods, preferences, and materials.

With this camera my aim was to demonstrate ideas I had about modifiable digital electronics, and to look into the entire process that someone goes through when trying to learn about and repurpose their electronic devices. What methods would they use, how would they stay motivated, where would they get the knowlege and skills to do it.

Mind's Eye is a camera that inspires creativity and makes a user want to change it. I think it is a good starting point for further work in adaptable, open design for digital electronics.