Etch-a-sketch 3.0

Project Description

Etch-a-Sketch 3.0 puts a modern spin on the original 1950s mechanical drawing toy.

Using Arduino and Processing, this upgraded device allows users to draw digital images using the familiar left and right knobs of the original toy. To spice things up, Etch-a-Sketch 3.0 features a few simple buttons and a force sensor to give users full control of the line thickness and colors of their drawings. A refresh button saves images and provides a clean slate to continue drawing.

And don’t forget the hidden features – pressing two buttons at the same time will give users trippy, animated colorful swatches to draw with – an awesome feature users can discover along the way. A familiar physical interface with a few techy additions, this device is easy to use, fun, and kind of addictive.

This project was featured in Engadget and Gizbot. It was exhibited at Sony Wonder Labs in Manhattan and the ITP Spring Show at Tisch School of the Arts.