Creating an Interactive Device with Arduino

Interactive Learning Series Public Course

< Environment · Sensory · Interaction >

Arduino Creative Practice

What is a physical interactive device?

How do environmental signals affect sensory experiences?

How to use Arduino to achieve interaction?

4 lectures to guide you in creating an interactive device with Arduino!

Arduino, as an open-source hardware and software platform, is mainly used for electronic prototyping and development. Its core is a microcontroller-based development board, combined with an easy-to-use programming environment and rich peripheral devices, lowering the threshold for hardware development, suitable for developing interactive products, allowing more people to turn their ideas into actual electronic products.

This course aims to integrate Arduino’s hardware control and sensor technology with the concept of multi-sensory design, transforming environmental signals (such as light, temperature, humidity, sound, etc.) into visual, tactile, and auditory experiences, exploring the interaction between the environment and humans. The course covers basic hardware learning to practical project development, guiding students to understand how to complete a prototype based on environmental interaction.

Regardless of whether students have a technical background, they can learn how to use Arduino to build environmental sensing systems and design interactive experiences through this course, laying the foundation for creating innovative works that integrate senses and technology.

Instructor Introduction

Zixin.M

Politecnico di Milano – Master’s in Digital and Interaction Design

Nanjing University of Science and Technology – Bachelor’s in Industrial Design

Former state-owned enterprise engineer, B2B product AIGC-related business intern, member of social construction project sociology research group. Initiated offline pop-up space, participated in sex education brand exhibition design, volunteer travel, etc. (rich life experiences nourish design!). Areas of expertise include focusing on innovative museum interactive experiences, how to find insights from research data, gamification to make projects more interesting, and system design involving complex stakeholders.

← Swipe left or right to view instructor’s works →

Course Schedule

First Lecture: December 6th (Friday) 20:00~21:00

Second Lecture: December 13th (Friday) 20:00~21:00

Third Lecture: December 20th (Friday) 20:00~21:00

Fourth Lecture: December 27th (Friday) 20:00~21:00

We are here every Friday night at 8:00

The course will be conducted via Tencent Meeting live broadcast

There will be about 10 minutes for free Q&A at the end of the live broadcast

Participation Method

Long press to scan the code to join the group to participate in the live broadcast for free

Long press to add customer service: WIIISH Wei Xiao Wolf

First Lecture:

Basics of Arduino and Hardware Introduction

December 5th (Friday) 20:00~21:00

This lesson will introduce the basic functions, hardware components, and development process of Arduino. A preliminary understanding of the relationship between hardware and interaction design.

Key Points of This Lecture

1. What is Arduino?

• Features and application scenarios of Arduino

• Introduction to common Arduino boards (such as Uno, Nano)

2. Basic Hardware

• Input devices: buttons, photoresistors, etc.

• Output devices: LEDs, buzzers, etc.

3. Basics of Arduino IDE

• How to install and set up the development environment

• Writing and uploading the first simple program (lighting up an LED)

4. Basic Circuit Construction

• Understanding circuit diagrams, breadboards, and jumper wires

-By Amazon and Envirementalb.com

Second Lecture:

Environmental Signal Collection – Perceiving the World with Sensors

December 13th (Friday) 20:00~21:00

This lesson will teach how to capture environmental signals using Arduino. Understanding the working principles of sensors and data collection methods.

Key Points of This Lecture

1. Introduction to Common Sensors

• Photoresistor: detects light intensity

• Sound sensor: detects environmental noise

• Temperature and humidity sensor: detects temperature and humidity

2. Data Collection and Processing

• How to read sensor data using Arduino

• Using Serial Monitor to view real-time data

https://www.instructables.com/Arduinonokia-lcd-data-display-EASY-VERSION/

https://www.smart-prototyping.com/blog/oled-display-helloworld-tutorial

Third Lecture:

Data and Feedback – Transforming Signals into Experiences

December 20th (Friday) 20:00~21:00

This lesson will introduce how to use hardware output devices (such as LEDs, buzzers) to design basic sensory feedback. Design simple interactive mechanisms to explore the transformation from signals to experiences.

Key Points of This Lecture

1. Introduction to Feedback Devices

• Dynamic control of LED lights

• Tone control of buzzers

2. Designing Feedback Logic

• Dynamically changing output based on sensor data (e.g., light intensity → LED brightness)

• Creating simple tone feedback (e.g., distance → tone changes)

3. Case Exploration

• Adjusting the brightness of LED lights based on sensor signals

https://www.instructables.com/SNF-Drumming-MIDI-Glove-using-Arduino-and-light-se/

Fourth Lecture:

How to Plan Your First Arduino Interactive Project

December 27th (Friday) 20:00~21:00

Together we will analyze interactive cases, understand different design paths that combine environmental signals and sensory experiences. Summarize design ideas and inspire students on how to conceive and design small interactive works based on environmental signals.

Key Points of This Lecture

1.How to Start from Problems, Brainstorming and Inspiration

2. Choosing Design Paths

3.Common Design Challenges and Solutions