A Kit-of-No-Parts

In my work I look at how we build electronics and at the materials and tools we build with. With a Kit-of-No-Parts I propose a new approach to building electronics that emphasizes the expressive qualities of diverse materials as well as the skill and creativity of the builder. This approach is represented here through a set of examples that include ways to sculpt and plate electrical connections, cut paper speakers, carve wooden dials and paint color-changing pixels.



The following examples showcase electrical circuits made using a variety of materials and techniques. Most of these examples are functional and many are based on the same circuit which includes a microcontroller, a coin-cell battery, surface-mount LED lights and two exposed parallel wires that make for a skin-resistance sensor. The microcontroller has been programmed to detect touch on the parallel wires, and for every touch to toggle on and off between the three LED lights.