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HAPTIC ROBOTIn my sophomore year, I worked in a team of four to create a haptic robotic arm controlled by a physical exoskeleton. Haptic technology is a tactile feedback technology that simulates the sense of touch through vibration and forces. The user is able to know when the robot has picked up an object when the exoskeleton locks up and gently vibrates. This project was my first foray into mechanical engineering and turned out to be a defining experience for me. Prior to this project, I was considering Computer Engineering as my major but I knew that something did not quite sit right with me when thinking about this major. I missed the interaction with the physical world but was enticed by the challenges and reward of creating something that actually worked. After expressing some interest in knowing more about mechanical engineering, I decided to design and build the exoskeleton. I wasn't very interested in the actual robot but the idea of the interaction between the user and the exoskeleton made me feel invigorated. So I spent a lot of my time considering how this exoskeleton could be adjustable, intuitive, and fun.
I realize in retrospect that this project got to the core of why I am excited about engineering: you are creating an artifact that connects people with their environment, with others, and with ideas. This is what doing engineering means to me and this theme has become prominent through the rest of my Olin journey. |
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My Zone Chair for Sensory processing issuesIn my final semester at Olin, I and three teammates collaborated with a local school to create a tool to promote academic success for students with sensory processing difficulties. After much ideation and several meetings in which we were able to acquaint ourselves with the students, we identified a solution that was exciting to us and to the users. We decided to create a chair attachment that would support:
We wanted this project to be made of low-cost and accessible materials and easy manufacturing methods so that anyone could make more of them. We worked through several prototypes to get the stiffness and softness we wanted. This project is yet another representation of who I am as an engineer and what motivates me: I love the intersection of engineering and art and its ability to create solutions to address real people's real needs. |
URBAN SURF PARKLater in my sophomore year, I and my four teammates undertook the task of designing a product for winter surfers in the New England area. This was my first formal experience in the field of design.User-Oriented Collaborative Design (UOCD) involves extensive and expansive research about winter surfing, multiple user visits and observations, and co-design sessions. In the user visits, we met with surfers at the beach, at surf shops, and at coffee shops to assess their life values and needs. To maximize impact, all details in our creation needed to be justified by what we learned about our users as surfers and people.
In one extremely meaningful conversation, I learned that one of our users, Alex, began surfing after a very difficult break-up and being laid-off during the recession. In despair, the user moved to California and bought themselves a board.* Teaching surfing to themselves became an opportunity to re-establishing their self-worth, meet good people, and finding tranquility. I began to realize that design is a larger experiment in empathy. Surfing for this person was bigger than a fun past-time: it became a way of life and integral part of who they are now. Overall, we learned that New England winter surfers are a committed, passionate, and varied set of people. From these varied individuals, we identified the following common (but not necessarily shared) needs that the Urban Surf Park could fulfill:
Ultimately, our product sought to connect these people to others and to their larger environment through the creation of the urban surf park. *Some details of this story have been modified (including names) to protect the identity of the user. |
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COMMUNITY DINNERThis past semester, I and two friends organized a community dinner for a larger event, SLACfest (SLAC stands for Stay Up Late and Create). In making dinner, we wanted to support the ideas codified in SLACfest: to promote creation and support the Olin College Library, the event was a massive success to which over 100 people attended.
Within this context of promoting creation, we decided to promote craft and cooking in the community dinner. We wanted the event to have an inviting and comfortable ambiance where everyone felt a sense of ownership and empowerment. We lead others in creating a set of reindeer moss tiles and huge pom-poms to add softness to the otherwise utilitarian library. We added carpets, warm lighting, and flowers to enhance the feeling of being cared for. For dinner, we involved over 30 people to serve a home-cooked meal of vegetarian soup, fresh bread, green salad, and fresh fruit salad. This was a community event where we wanted everyone to feel like they experienced something together and were active participants by adding their presence to the event. I realized through the event that the people surrounding me are filled with creativity and that this creativity can be nourished by small, rewarding projects (because who doesn't love food?). For dinner, everyone sat picnic-style and enjoyed a wonderful meal. The event, though not for-profit, utilized entrepreneurial attitudes as we priced the event and invested considerable time and event. Through the event, we were able to connect people with others and with their environment. |
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LIGHT-UP JACKET AND BRACELETSThis past semester, I created a light-up tail coat and a set of light-up hand-bands for a performance with my a cappella group, the Olin PowerChords. The elements lit up at the height of the performance and were controllable by the wearer. I created this experience for my senior solo performed for the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. For me, this solo was my swan song to my a cappella group. By including these elements, I wanted to include the audience in the full experience. I wanted them to progress from spectators to participants. I felt that the artifacts would create an inclusive and joyous atmosphere that the entire room could collectively feel and share. These elements were meant to connect audience members with group members and, at a higher level, to connect the audience with the the interpretation of the song.
This performance experience was a culminating moment for my PowerChord's career. I had been the president for the past three semesters and it had been one of the most rewarding experiences in my collegiate life. As president, my ultimate goals were to 1) promote friendship and support within the group, and 2) to increase confidence in each member so they feel comfortable to explore. To the first goal: my theory was that as we became better companions, we would enjoy being at rehearsal and singing with each other which would in turn improve our musicality and bravery. To promote this, I took personal steps to forge friendships and teach others the bits and pieces of what I learned as a musician. I learned to lead by listening and nurturing. In one instance, a member, Madison*, came to me because they were unhappy with their experiences in the group. As a performing arts group, members grapple with feeling vulnerable. After some very careful listening, I started to note that Madison would use the phrase "I'm not sure how this should sound but..." a lot. After reviewing the member's musical background, I realized that Madison felt their fundamentals were lacking and so they felt insecure on stage. So following this conversation, I recommended a fundamentals review session. After the review session, many members came to me noting that they were so happy it happened because it made them feel together and in tune with each other. I was able to instigate change only by listening carefully and nurturing their growth as musicians. To my second goal: I wanted each team member to feel comfortable in their own skin while on stage. Being on stage can be a very vulnerable experience and wearing something that makes you feel good about yourself can improve the performer's experience vastly. When we went shopping, one member, Taylor*, struggled to find anything that they liked. We had a heart-to-heart in which Taylor discussed their difficulties with feeling happy in their own skin. After a pep talk and resulting game plan (finding clothes that highlight what they like and what is distinctive), they bought an outfit and we performed. After seeing a picture, Taylor, on the verge of tears, remarked "oh my god, I'm beautiful." After this experience, it was clear to me that leadership at its root is about mentorship: your job as a leader is to build someone up so that they can be the best version of themselves possible. It was empowering to know that my leadership had a tangibly positive effect on someone. I hope that in the future I can create situations in which I and others can feel this way. As a member of PowerChords, I seek to connect member with each other and performers with audiences. Ultimately, performance is about connecting everyone with the larger ideas within your performance. *Some details of this story have been modified (including names) to protect the identity of the members. |
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LASER CUTTING ZINESFrom January 2013 to May 2014, I and three team members researched laser cutting as an advanced prototyping technique. Laser cutters are becoming cheaper for hobbyist use but documentation for laser cutting is spread across various sources. Our research group intended to create a consolidated source of laser cutter knowledge that covers existing and new laser cutting techniques. We believe that this make a positive difference in the lives of students, fabricators, and makers.
The culminating product of our research was a set of zines that documented pedagogical and experimental techniques and strategies surrounding laser cutting. We progressed from those learning how to laser cut to those teaching how to laser cut. In each zine, we explored various ways to represent information. These zines elicited connections between people and the larger idea that the world and technology is modifiable. This knowledge was strongly informed by our experiences in fall 2013 when we presented our research at World Maker Faire: New York. We treated the Maker Faire as a user exploration. We learned about the values, needs and requirements for makers. Prior to MakerFaire, I felt that the maker culture was silly and sometimes pretentious but after attending the conference, I realized that the maker culture is really about allow for expression of creativity though any method including advanced fabricating techniques. Technology and craft began to merge for me. I have come to appreciate that maker culture seeks to connect people with their surroundings by making anything modifiable and with larger ideas regarding ownership and empowerment. For a while, I felt that engineering was constrained to the technical so I sought to be as technical as possible which didn't feel complete. After my experiences at Maker Faire, I now see glimmers of maker culture in my attitude and it has helped me loosen my definition of engineering and creation. I've come to see the ability to be expressive and technical (by the engineering definition). |
Sculptural and wearable explorationsIn my final semester at Olin, I completed project explores the many manifestations of strength within an individual. The project was entirely self-designed and was intended as a culmination of my arts education.
The carbon fiber sleeve represents strength that we learn to possess. The carbon fiber sleeve is hard and shiny but cumbersome to put on. I love the sculptural and fibrous nature of the carbon fiber. The sleeve follows the more traditional definition of strength and plays with the idea of armor (typically worn by male knights in the medieval ages). The sleeve telescopes when the warrior takes a deep breath or stretches the waistband (the sleeve is controlled electronically). It protects but constrains the warrior. I used a CNC router to create a male mold. The peach dress represents strength that you gain from your own personality and history. The peach dress is meant as a more feminine juxtaposition to the sleeves. The hand-painted design touches into a more primal form of strength. When cold the paint is yellow but when worn, the stencil turns pink and integrates into the warrior. The warrior pins themselves into the dress, creating a synch at the waist. The dress is constructed from a stretch jersey and is an original pattern. The piece plays with the integration of ideas that for whatever reason may seem to be in conflict: textured vs. smooth, soft vs. rough, sweet vs. tough, feminine vs. masculine, etc. I hope this piece allows the audience to visualize how their own forms of strength might materialize. This project was ultimately about exploring myself. I explored what it means to be a female in a male-dominated field (mechanical engineering) and a student interested in art at an engineering school. For the exhibition, I was able to create an entire experience, displaying the photos, outfit, and a video of the dynamic nature of the outfit. I felt that this was the best way to immerse the audience into the ideas of the project. I wanted people to connect with my ideas and with each other in a common experience. |
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