Drawing the electric

This thesis explores the intersection of craft and electronics by way of paper and conductive ink, a domain that I'm terming papercraft electronics-a synthesis of electronics, drawing, and painting. I investigate the nature of making a physical electronic artifact, and the ways in which that making informs our relationship with both the artifact, specifically, as well as technology writ large. I examine craft-the manual process-as a means for embedding new kinds of personally-significant meaning in electronics, re-positioning electronics fabrication as the creation of personal, unique, hand-crafted artifacts. I do so through a series of case studies oriented around the papercraft electronics domain. Through a sequence of projects, workshops, and evaluations, I examine the personal connection and pride that comes with making, as well as the handmade artifact's place in technology. In particular, I initiate projects around the making of paper sensors, speakers, synthesizers, and audio-augmented artworks.

Department dc:contributor.department

Program in Media Arts and Sciences (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Jacoby, Samuel (Samuel David Glauberman)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Leah Buechley.

• Architecture. Program in Media Arts and Sciences.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/82425

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/82425