Designing and Building a Multi-Function Voronoi Lamp

Objective: Familiarize students with the project scope, tools, and materials. Students will develop an understanding of the overall scope of the project, including the integration of design, electronics, and coding. They will be introduced to Voronoi design principles and begin documenting their design process. This sets the foundation for an iterative and reflective approach to learning.

Objective: Use the MakeMyVase tool to create a Voronoi lamp shade. Students will explore parametric design using an online Voronoi generator and begin developing their spatial reasoning by digitally modelling a lamp shade and custom base. Through this, they will learn how digital tools can be used to plan and prepare physical objects for 3D printing and electronic integration.

Objective: Model a base to house the Circuit Playground Express and kit components. Students will apply 3D modelling skills to design a functional base that securely accommodates the Adafruit Circuit Playground Express and additional components from the electronics kit. The design must consider size constraints, ventilation, mounting options, cable management, and structural stability. Through this task, students will deepen their understanding of spatial planning, digital prototyping, and user-centred design, ensuring that the base integrates seamlessly with the lamp structure and supports the interactive features of the final product.

Objective: Print and assemble the lamp components. Students will learn how to prepare, execute, and troubleshoot a 3D print using slicing software and a 3D printer. They will understand the material and mechanical considerations involved in turning a digital model into a physical object, and how to refine a print through cleaning and finishing techniques.

Objective: Use Adafruit MakeCode to program the lamp’s interactive features. Students will be introduced to the Circuit Playground Express microcontroller and learn how to set up and interact with its onboard components. By developing basic programs using MakeCode, students will understand how to translate user inputs into electronic outputs like lighting and sound. Students will then deepen their understanding of interactive programming by integrating sound input to trigger lighting and sound outputs. This lesson extends their knowledge of conditional logic and input/output control, demonstrating how microcontrollers can respond dynamically to the environment.

Objective: Use the Brother ScanNCut to create custom decals for personalization. Students will explore the aesthetic dimension of product design by creating and applying custom vinyl decals. They will use digital design software and the Brother ScanNCut to personalise their lamp, learning how modern fabrication tools allow for functional and artistic expression.

Objective: Integrate all components and test the lamp. Students will bring together all components—3D-printed parts, electronics, and decorative elements—to create a fully functional and personalised lamp. They will evaluate their outcomes, reflect on their learning journey, and present their work to peers, fostering communication and critical thinking skills.

Objective: Reflect on the project’s success and brainstorm improvements. Students will evaluate their completed project by reflecting on the design and development process, identifying both strengths and areas for improvement. Through structured self-assessment and peer feedback, they will consider how effectively their lamp met the design brief, functioned technically, and demonstrated creativity. This reflection encourages students to think critically about their problem-solving strategies, collaboration, and application of technology skills, while fostering a growth mindset for future design challenges.