Star Legend: Interactive Illustration ⭐¶
According to Armenian folklore, every person is born under a star. If their star is kind, they are lucky; if it is evil, they are unlucky. It is believed that each person’s star fades when they are in danger.
Inspired by this legend, I created an illustration of a girl holding a star in her hand, symbolizing the connection between people and their fate. To enhance the storytelling aspect, I integrated electronics, allowing the star to light up when touched. This interactive element adds a metaphorical meaning—when we connect with our destiny, it shines brighter.
Illustration Process 🎨¶
1. Creating the Digital Illustration
- I started by using an AI tool to generate a base structure for my illustration, helping me define composition and proportions.
- Then, I refined the design manually in Photoshop, using X-Pen for detailed brushwork and Armenian-inspired patterns.
- The girl is depicted holding a star, reinforcing the idea of fate and personal connection.
Interactive Star with Touch Sensor 🌟✨¶
This project introduces an interactive touch-sensitive circuit integrated into a star illustration. The circuit activates an LED light when touched, thanks to materials like Velostat and conductive yarn. Here's how I created it:
Materials Used:¶
- Velostat – Pressure-sensitive conductive material for the touch sensor.
- Conductive Yarn – Used to sew the circuit and connect components.
- LED Light – Illuminates when the circuit is activated.
- 3V Coin Cell Battery – Powers the circuit.
- Layered Fabric – Ensures circuit activation only when touched.
Step-by-Step Process:¶
1️⃣ Building the Touch Sensor: - Created a layered fabric structure with Velostat between conductive layers. - When untouched, the circuit remains open (LED off). - When touched, pressure reduces Velostat’s resistance, completing the circuit and lighting the LED.
2️⃣ Sewing the Circuit: - Stitched conductive yarn to connect the battery holder, LED, and Velostat. - Ensured positive and negative lines never crossed to avoid short circuits.
Soldering the Conductive Yarn for a Strong Connection¶
To ensure a solid and reliable connection between the battery, touch sensor, and conductive yarn, I used soldering to securely attach the components. This step is crucial for ensuring the circuit works efficiently and responds correctly when touched.
Steps for Soldering:¶
1. Preparation - Cut the conductive yarn to the desired lengths for each connection point (battery, touch sensor, and LED). - Strip any insulation from the conductive yarn if needed.
2. Soldering the Battery - Carefully solder the positive and negative ends of the conductive yarn to the battery holder’s corresponding terminals. - Ensure a strong solder joint to prevent any power loss or interruption.
3. Soldering the Touch Sensor - Attach one end of the conductive yarn to the Velostat (touch sensor) so that it can detect the pressure when activated. - Solder the other end of the conductive yarn to the battery’s negative terminal, completing the circuit.
4. Testing the Connection - After soldering, check each connection for stability. - Perform a quick test by touching the Velostat to see if the LED illuminates correctly.
Circuit Diagram¶
Below is the schematic of the circuit used in this project:
Closing the Circuit with 3D Printed Fabric and Armenian Ornament
To close the circuit and enhance the design, I decided to cover the components with 3D printed fabric. I incorporated a beautiful Armenian ornament, which I created using Adobe Illustrator. The ornament added a touch of cultural elegance while helping to encase the circuit.
Steps Taken:¶
Creating the Ornament Design: - I searched for an Armenian ornament with intricate details and cultural significance. - Using Adobe Illustrator, I transformed the ornament into a vector design to prepare it for printing.
Printing the Design on Fabric: - Initially, I printed the design using transparent filament on fabric, hoping for delicate detail. However, the result was not as expected. - The small details did not print clearly, so I decided to change the filament and adjust the design.
Adjusting the Filament and Design: - I switched to gray PLA filament to get better print quality. - I simplified the design by deleting and combining some of the smaller details that were not translating well during the print.
Final Outcome: - After these adjustments, the print came out beautifully. The final design was a perfect blend of technology and Armenian culture, beautifully encasing the circuit and giving the project a polished look.
3D Printed Star for Illustration Integration¶
To add a unique, interactive element to my illustration, I decided to 3D print a small star. This star not only enhances the visual appeal of the project but also integrates seamlessly with the overall design, complementing the circuit and the Armenian ornament.
Steps Taken:¶
Designing the Star: - I created a 3D model of a small star to be integrated into the artwork. The design was simple yet elegant, ensuring that it wouldn’t overshadow the other elements. - The star was sized appropriately to fit within the illustration, allowing it to stand out without distracting from the main components.
3D Printing the Star: - I used PLA filament to print the star, choosing a color that would complement the overall aesthetic of the project. - The print quality was carefully controlled to ensure sharp edges and smooth surfaces, providing the star with a polished look. - Once printed, the star was seamlessly integrated into the illustration to add a unique and eye-catching feature.
Final Layering and Stunning Result¶
After printing the 3D star and finalizing the design elements, it was time to bring all the layers together. The combination of the 3D printed star, Armenian ornament, and the touch-sensitive circuit created a beautiful, interactive piece. The result exceeded my expectations, and I truly loved how everything came together.