Do-it-yourself electronic products and the people who make them
David A. Mellis · 2013
This paper describes my doctoral research into the possibilities that digital fabrication offers for the individual design and production of electronic devices. Research questions relate to the possibilities for the devices themselves and their relationship to people's skills interests. The paper discusses four overall approaches: product design explorations, do-it-yourself activities, custom software tools, and studying communities. Three completed case studies -- a radio, speakers, and a mouse -- provide insight into the design possibilities and their implications for various groups. Future work will explore further aspects of this ecosystem, including more complex devices, more in-depth investigation of people, and community surveys.