Light Up Tree Puzzle: Paper Project Joy

Early on in this process, I was thinking of things or places that bring my joy. I decided that a tree is a great symbol of joy and began looking into ways that I could make a tree like object out of paper (kind of ironic). I was interested in a tree because I’ve always found joy in nature. One of my favorite aspects of home is the fresh air and the towering Redwood trees that stand around my house.

In class, I discussed with the professors and classmates to narrow my idea down. A classmate suggested I make a Christmas tree, and I attempted to make a Russian Nesting Doll that would light up when placing the cones on one another.

After several failed attempts, I looked to another tree like puzzle system that I could build. Some of the issues that I encountered with the initial idea was connecting both sides of the circuit to each of the pieces.

 

I decided to reuse and keep the same base that I initially cut out, but had to rearrange the wiring a little bit. I decided that I would create a parallel circuit with removable with my sensor input being rotating sectors of the tree with arms that would branch out and brush the back wall. The arms were attached to paper tubes, that sat on top of one another and around a pen that would sit in the glued base.

Before applying the circuit to the back, I had to measure out where each of the branches would touch on the circuit.

When placed in the right place, and order on the tower, the three lights would light up which are the projects actuator. I added a light sensor along the bottom as an added feature to turn the lights on and off.

One of the main issues with my puzzle tree, was the lack of power to light all three lights. In each of my trials, only one or two of the lights would shine when placed properly into the puzzle.

If I were to change the puzzle, I would use a different larger power source, and use gumdrop LEDs which would be easier to power on when touching the circuit.

The total parts used a pen, skewers (cut into branches), card stock paper (for thickness and strength), tape/glue, lights and copper circuits.

For other users, I would hope that they would disassemble and reassemble the sectors of the tree until they’re in proper order, and then rotate the branches until they reach the correct place to light up. Then, once lit, they can make the lights turn off and on using the light sensor on the base.

While creating this project, I felt conflicting emotions of joy and frustration; I hope that when the user interacts with my product they feel the same way, evoking happiness and a challenge.