Reflections during the Break

Last semester was a challenging period for me, despite managing to complete quite a few experiments. Towards the end, I struggled to present my work effectively. Balancing multiple commitments such as part-time work, competitions, and exhibitions took a toll on my ability to manage my time efficiently. As a result, I fell behind on maintaining regular updates for my CPJ. Overworking myself left me feeling burnt out, which compounded the difficulties I faced. To make matters worse, I encountered last-minute technical issues with the ml5.js library just days before submission. These challenges significantly impacted the quality of my final submission and, consequently, my grades. Andreas and Vikas expressed their disappointment, which I understand, as my semester-long efforts failed to shine through in the end.

While I am really disappointed in myself, I realize there is no point in dwelling on past mistakes. Instead, I am determined to learn from this experience and make up for the lost grades next semester. During this break, I plan to reflect on my approach and develop a clear plan and direction for the upcoming semester. I also recognize the importance of rest and intend to take this time to recharge and reenergize myself. By doing so, I hope to enter the next phase with renewed focus and the ability to balance my responsibilities more effectively.

Focus for the semester

Looking ahead, as I mentioned in my overview presentation, I am excited to focus on developing more physical outputs for my prototypes. Last semester was predominantly screen-based and digital, which I now find less engaging. During the break, I used my time to dive into the basics of electronics—an essential foundation for my next steps. With guidance from my uncle, an expert in the field, I learned how to measure and adjust voltage, handle basic wiring, and even solder components.

I have been exploring tutorials for DIY pen plotters and drawing machines and plan to build one that can be controlled using hand gestures. Reflecting on my final prototype last semester, I particularly enjoyed how the hands generated by Gemini appeared to possess their own autonomous movement and will. This sense of agency felt compelling, and I want to delve deeper into this concept in my physical prototypes this semester. To kick things off, I’ve already gathered the materials needed to construct a vertical plotter. My immediate goal is to assemble a proof of concept and focus on getting the software side operational so I can integrate hand gesture controls.