Interactive Touch Objects

Group Information 

  • Group Members:  Angelica Honrade, Diana Reina, Stefanie Koseff
  • Project Mentor(s): Amy Hurst, Anita Perr, Daniel Johnston
  • Acknowledgements: Intrepid Museum Collaborator, Jessica Williams, the curator of history and collections of the Intrepid Museum

Meeting Schedule for the Semester

  • Thursdays weekly, 8:00 pm – 8:50 pm

Project Description

 

The Interactive Touch Objects project goal is to design tactile representations of military patches that are on virtual display for the Intrepid Museum The Intrepid Museum features military patches on display on its website. These patches are represented with limited information provided in the text. Currently, the patches are not available to physically touch on display at the museum and there is no interactive audio component on the website. The purpose of these patches was to foster a sense of morale and camaraderie among the sailors. Some of the patches were officially approved by the Navy while others were unofficial. These patches were generally worn on work or flight jackets and symbolized the responsibility of the group but were not official uniform items. Our final iteration offers the following interactive tactile modalities:

  • “I” Patch (Combat Information Center)
    • Object number: 2018.32.05
    • Circuit + button + swell form + sewing machine. 
    • Simplified swell form 
    • Swell form + sewing machine 
    • Print color simplified image on heavy paper 
    • 1-page historical concept
  • Squadron VA(AW)-33 Mediterranean Cruise Patch   
    • Object number: 2018.32.05
    • Circuit + conductive thread + iron-on + hand embroidery 
    • Print color simplified image on heavy paper
    • Simplified swell form
    • 1-page historical concept

Overview of Significant Achievements 

  • 02/04/2022: Created simplified vector images of the four patches.
  • 02/24/2022: Learned how to create tactile graphics using Swell Form.
  • 03/22/2022: Experimented with combining Swell form techniques with machine embroidery for tactile graphic artifact.
  • 04/07/2022: Became in contact with museum curator at the Intrepid Museum for more information about the historical meaning behind the specific patches.
  • 04/28/2022: Created various Swell form iterations of the Squadron VA(AW)-33 Mediterranean Cruise patch including one with patterns and embroidery. Also created various iteration of the “I”/Combat Information Center patch which include Swell form, embroidery, and conductive elements.

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