Secrets Machine
The Secrets Machine is a conceptual installation porotype created for my final project in Northeastern Univeristy’s 3D Fundamentals course. The assignment was, over the course of about a month, to design, improve, or combine an existing or new product to fit the needs of contemporary society.
Duration
11.01.2019 - 12.01.2019
1 month
Role
Product Designer
Team Members
Alara Hakki
Deliverables
Funtional Prototype
Background
The parameters were that the product must be tangible and fabricated to the highest level of craftsmanship possible given the available materials, and the limitations of our makerspace, which amounts to being under a foot tall and made primarily from plywood, acrylic, or via 3D printer.
Concept
Having understood basic static sculpture with plywood, our goal was to create a prototype that performed a transformative process. The concept was based on the idea that anything can be currency if one values the transaction and transformation involved.
We chose the exchange of secrets between anonymous users as our transaction. Secrets, once detached from their owner, can be traded like candy, passed like notes, or swapped like pills.
Challenges
Limited to a 12" scale, we initially modeled our design after a gumball machine, researching similar projects. The main challenge was creating a mechanism that required inserting something to trigger a return.
After various drafts and prototypes, we focused on the transformation process. Our final design used stacked plywood discs with cutouts for the objects. If not aligned with the cutout, the hard edge of the discs prevented the object from exiting.
Impact
The result of our project was the Secrets Machine, a transformative, interactive experience. Users take a capsule, write a secret on a strip of paper, reseal it, and insert it into the machine. Turning the wheel dispenses a secret from a previous user, using their own secret as "payment." The machine's success relies on users engaging with a currency that holds meaning only to its creator.
If I could iterate further, I’d add a clear indicator to turn the wheel and improve the construction. Visible glue, uneven edges, and scratched acrylic detract from the overall craftsmanship and design.
