Electro Plush
Making Electronic Plush Toys and Experiences

Instructor: Yury Gitman
Collaboration Studio

Course Description:
This class aims to give students an understanding electronic toy design. Students will be asked to look, survey, play-test, and dissect mainstream and designer toys. The class will focus specifically on Interactive-Plush toys and Wireless Tactile interfaces. Likewise the class will work hands-on with the basic electronic technology in Interactive toys and focus on the core interactive principles prevalent in today's toy industry.

1    Sept 5 ::::::
Intro to Class
Syllabus
Log in into Typepad, post photo or headshot, short bio, and photo and description of your favorite childhood toy (find it on ebay if you need too..)
(background and experience, interests in life, foreground, interests in this class)

Homework and Classwork:
Buy and Bring an Interactive Plush Toy for the next class
Bring: Scissors, Seam-ripper, Digital Camera (or cellphone camera),

2     Sept 12 ::::::
Take apart toy but preserve the pattern for the Plush. (Lecture and work in class)
Photo-Document the full sewn patterns and the electronics including
1)how all switches are sewn
2) how all battiers are housed and changed
3)microchips
4)lights, speakers, etc...

Share Photos with Class
Mainstream Toys and Designer Toys
Toy Industry, Making Plush Interactive Toys
Basic Electronics

Homework and Classwork:
Photograph and Blog Designer Toy
Buy Interactive Plush Toy
Read:
Code

3      Sept 19 ::::::
Review photos and cover Basic Electronics,  Switch, Sensor, Power, Interface (light and sound), battiers, and sewing.
Introduce game-controller assignment
Make Shopping List for Electronics

Homework and Classwork:
Buy Parts
Research game controllers, bring printed photos to class

4        Sept 26 :::::
Introduction to Electronics
Talk about Interactive Toys and Designer Toys
Review Electronic Circuits, Motors, Lights, Switches, Batteries, Boards, Solder, and Related Parts (from Radio Shack).
Make inside electronics for your game-controller.  Break into groups.

Homework:
Buy and Bring sewing tools.

5        Oct 3 :::::::
Bring inside electronics for your controller. Work in groups. Make sure everyone is done.

Special Guest Lecture
Introduction to Sewing.
2D Pattern making workshop.
Talk about fabrics
Pick fabrics in class.
Homework and Classwork:
Make your game controller pattern

6       Oct 10 ::::::
Special Guest Lecture
Show game-controller plush to class.

More on sewing.
Sewing-Machine workshop
Sewing zippers, switches, motors, and lights into plush

Work in groups.

7        Oct 17:::::   Midterm ::::::
Present and Play-test

8       Oct 24:::::::
Designer Toys research
Introduction to Wireless Plushies Project. Introduction to Wireless

9       Oct 31 ::::::
Lecture on Wireless and Toy Safety

10     Nov 7 :::::
Begin Working on Wireless Plushies 1
Reviews with professor and peers

11      Nov 14 ::::::
Continue Working on Wireless Plushies
Reviews with professor and peers

12       Nov 21 ::::::
Blog your work
Reviews with professor and peers

13        Nov 28::::::
Advances topic in wireless tactile toys
User Testing  and Re-design Ideas

14       Dec 5th :::::::
Advances topic in wireless tactile toys
Re-design implementations

15  Dec 12th ::::::::
Public Showing

Comments

[caroline - jayne panico]

Hi, I have featured the plushie design tool on my blog since i found it featured on another blog. Can you tell me if your interactive tool is available to download anywhere? Thanks very much, and WELL DONE its an amazing tool.