This week we worked on writing our design report and ordering more parts needed for our light. Currently, the biggest risks we have are parts taking longer than expected to arrive. To manage these risks, we have placed an order request for almost all the critical parts needed for our light. There haven’t been any particular changes to our design since last week, but more justification was provided in our design report for why we made those decisions. Our schedule has changed a bit, since we have just finished ordering parts, we will have to spend some time after break working on the individual components before integrating them together. This will not jeopardize the success of our project because we built in a few weeks of buffer time.
Below are some considerations of how our product will meet a specific need. A was written by Chloe, B was written by Ella, and C was written by Kira.
Our miniature moving light is designed with consideration of global factors, by providing a cheap and easy to learn alternative to industry standard moving lights. Not only can our lights be used in an academic environment, but even those out of school who have an interest in learning lighting can use our lights. Also, this light can be used even by those who are experienced but want a cheaper solution, such as using them at dance parties or performances. This light removes the barrier for entry into learning about lighting for anyone interested.
Our miniature moving light is designed with cultural factors in mind by supporting the wide range of communities that use lighting as part of creative expression. Lighting is an important part of many cultural activities, including theater productions, concerts, dance performances, and community events. However, the professional lighting equipment used in these environments can be expensive and difficult for beginners to access or learn. By creating a smaller and more affordable moving light that still operates using the standard DMX control protocol, our design allows students, hobbyists, and community groups to experiment with the same lighting concepts used in professional productions. Additionally, because the system uses the same control methods that are common in the entertainment lighting industry, users who learn with our device can apply those skills in more advanced or professional settings. This helps make lighting technology more approachable to people from different backgrounds and experience levels while still maintaining compatibility with existing lighting practices used in performances and events.
Our miniature moving light is designed with environmental factors in mind by prioritizing low power consumption and minimizing material use compared to full-scale professional fixtures. Commercial moving lights are large, power-intensive devices that are designed for high-output stage environments and can require significant electrical power and large amounts of hardware. In contrast, our system uses small motors, low-power LEDs, and compact microcontrollers, which reduces the overall energy required to operate the device and makes it more practical for small spaces such as classrooms or personal workspaces. Additionally, the device is built from widely available electronic components, allowing individual parts to be replaced if needed rather than discarding the entire system, which helps reduce unnecessary material waste.