Op Cubes Individual P roject September - December 2022 The University of Edinburgh Brief: Create a game prototype that explores a well-known gaming genre, whether it's digital, physical, or mobile. Introduce an inventive approach to this game concept while referring to its fundamental ideology and principles. The Op Cubes, also named the Optically Illusive Maze Cubes, are a short project I did for my Game Design course. They are inspired by the mesmerizing worlds of Monument Valley (2014) and Manifold Garden (2019) video games where players go on an immersive journey through fantastical structures and spaces augmented by optical illusions. The Op Cubes challenge players to navigate marbles through multi-tiered cube planes, engaging their perceptual skills and spatial awareness. Designed to perplex cognitive and visual senses, they invite players to question present reality, where visual images often appear flattened by simultaneity. brew vika

Smart Handle Individual Project April 2020 Design Proposal for TU/e Brief: Create a proposal for a smart home system or product aimed at promoting a healthy home and lifestyle, emphasizing awareness and comfort. Smart Handle is a design concept for an integrated smart system in a window handle, intended for a healthy home environment. Its purpose is to provide guidance on the optimal time to ventilate your home. By utilizing air quality monitors in your city and accessing data through your internet server, the Smart Handle indicates the current air quality index (AQI) outside. A red glow indicates an AQI above 100, signalling unfavourable conditions for airing your household, while a green glow indicates when it is safe to open your windows. Through this project, my aim was to explore ways to enhance smart homes in anticipation of the rapidly evolving future and prioritize our planet's well-being. The Smart Handle offers assistance to individuals residing in heavily polluted cities such as New York, Delhi, Doha, Hanoi, and others, enabling them to access fresh, clean air within their homes without solely relying on air conditioning systems. Smart Window Handles Operation Scheme How does the smart handle work? If the LED light on the handle glows red then the AQI (air quality index) is high (around 100), i.e. air is polluted, if it glows green, then the air quality is acceptable (below 50) and it’s safe to open your window. Other options include using air quality apps like AirLief or AirVisual daily or installing a home air quality monitor. However, these alternatives are less precise than the Smart Handle, which offers real-time ventilation control without the need for constant app monitoring. flux brew

FoldiFi Individual Project January - May 2021 The University of Edinburgh Brief: Create a stylish, lightweight, and compact DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) radio, exploring the design of improved and enhanced acoustics, portability, and incorporating analogue or interactive radio controls. FoldiFi is a waterproof radio speaker that combines compactness, portability, functionality, and an analogue-inspired design. The concept for the FoldiFi radio was sparked by the foldable structure of a simple water bottle. I explored how acoustics could be incorporated into collapsible designs, specifically focusing on amplifying sound within these structures. FoldiFi emphasizes the analogue interaction between the user and the device's interface. By engaging in a series of actions such as squeezing, and turning the radios controls, users can adjust the volume, control tunes and channels, and power the device on and off. Unfolding and folding the radio reveals an inner mesh part, serving as the on/off mechanism. Music enthusiasts can enjoy FoldiFi as a radio or use the Bluetooth control at the back to connect and use the device as a speaker. FoldiFi also offers effortless portability, as the radio speaker can be conveniently attached to a bag or bike, or carried in a bag compartment and convenient wireless charging. The Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) radio should be suitable for both home and outdoor settings, ensuring seamless integration in any environment. My radio's design drew inspiration from analogue DAB radio models like Dieter Rams' RT 20 for Braun. I wanted to create an attractive, user-friendly radio for all ages, merging analogue features with a digital interface and a distinctive folding structure. I explored symbol choices for the radio controls, opting for universally recognized signs that align with effective usability principles. The interactive controls for turning the radio on and off, and pausing the music are activated by folding and unfolding the radio. Folded = Off Semi-Folded = Paused Unfolded = On The radio includes a wireless battery charger for convenient at-home charging and a protective cap that safeguards the speaker while allowing easy portability. FoldiFi Portable DAB Radio brew tubi

Tubi Individual Project October - December 2021 The University of Edinburgh Brief: Source an object for an object autopsy, disassembling and analysing its design and semantic qualities. Use these insights to create a redesigned object offering a fresh perspective on the original design. Tubi presents a fresh perspective on the traditional DSLR camera. It takes the form of a cylindrical tube, offering a change from the conventional square-shaped design. With simplified camera settings, a digital screen, and an easily attachable part, Tubi aims to provide a portable and user-friendly photography experience. The intuitively operated interface is designed to accommodate individuals with limited hand strength. Zooming in and out is achieved by twisting the top section of the camera, providing a tactile and effortless control mechanism. The camera's main body is made from biodegradable PLA material, utilizing 3D printing technology. This eco-friendly approach ensures that parts of the camera can be recycled at the end of its lifespan. The first step of the Product Design Object Autopsy was tearing down our chosen object. I selected a Zorki-6 film camera to better understand how it works and because I've always been interested in the intricate controls and design of cameras. Zorki-6 Camera Teardown Video My goal was to make the Zorki Camera more user-friendly, with straightforward controls and a lightweight, ergonomic design. Tubi is intended for beginners, like kids, tourists, and those unfamiliar with camera settings but who can easily navigate the camera's intuitive interface. User testing and research were conducted to investigate the diverse semantic aspects of the controls, their placement on the camera body, as well as the communication of control icons and shapes. The Tubi camera, drawing inspiration from kaleidoscope design, operates as a mirrorless camera, powered by a rechargeable battery. Tubi is mirrorless because it exclusively relies on digital screen exploration and viewing. Tubi Camera Demo Video foldiFi touch eduscape

TOM Project 48-hour Makeathon Team Project 2019 Brief: Design a product or system addressing a daily challenge for an individual with special needs within a 72-hour timeframe. In March 2019, I took part in a 72-hour makeathon challenge organized by TOM (Tikkun Olam Makers), a global movement dedicated to creating and sharing affordable solutions for overlooked challenges faced by individuals with impairments (https://tomglobal.org/ ). The event was hosted by the American College of Sofia. My team, Phoenix, designed and constructed a portable lift platform for Ivan, a talented young actor with special needs. Ivan encountered difficulties accessing most theatre stages without the assistance of his colleagues so his task for us was to find a product solution for his daily issue. Our lift platform consists of three key components: a wooden platform equipped with safety flaps and ramps on all sides, a collapsible metal frame that supports the platform's movement, and a motor engine responsible for lifting the platform. The collapsed frame and flat-packed platform can be conveniently stored in Ivan's van, enabling easy transportation to various theatre venues. Ivan, a talented young Bulgarian actor, entrusted Team Phoenix with the mission of creating a device enabling him to independently navigate stage theatres in his wheelchair, alleviating the need for assistance from his fellow actors. The main challenge was to design a device that is both lightweight and portable for transportation in the theatre group's van, yet sturdy enough to carry Ivan, his wheelchair, and equipment. Building the portable lift platform was done in three stages: constructing the steel frame responsible for raising and lowering the wooden platform, crafting the wooden platform with safety side flaps and two primary flaps for easy access, and finally, refurbishing and integrating a compact motor to provide the lifting power. At the 72-hour makeathon final pitch, Team Phoenix showcased our design prototype to all teams, contestants, and American College of Sofia sponsors, presenting our concept and demonstrating the working product in the school stage auditorium. TOM taught me that you can't fix the world in 72 hours, but you can sometimes redesign an d hack it and make it a much better and more friendly place for someone! pipistrellum flux