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Blinko is a small, squishy, and whimsical digital buddy designed to transform waiting from a frustrating experience into a delightful one. Featuring an OLED screen with expressive ASCII faces, it reacts to movement—rewarding calmness with encouragement and responding playfully to fidgeting. Inspired by Tamagotchi-style nostalgia and interactive fidget gadgets, this cute, pocket-sized companion helps users embrace waiting as a moment of play and surprise.
Project Overview
Skills and Programs Used
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Blender
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3D printing
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Arduino
Problem Statement
How can we transform the frustration of waiting into a delightful and engaging experience for a younger audience, especially those who struggle with fidgety-ness and anxiety?
Research
Tamagochi
One of the most iconic digital companions, featuring pixelated characters that express emotions and require care.
Love Hultén’s Handmade Tech Art
Love Hultén blends retro gaming aesthetics with modern technology, often using OLED displays and pixel-based animations.
Neko Atsume
A passive, low-pressure interaction system where users collect and observe cute cats.Casual entertainment, not constant.
What is ASCII art?
ASCII art is a form of computer art that uses the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) to create images. ASCII art can be simple or complex, and is often found in online spaces.
(ღ˘⌣˘)♥
ℒ♡ⓥℯ ㄚ♡ⓤ
╰(✿´⌣`✿)╯♡
╚(ಠ_ಠ)=┐
Modes and Interactions
Default mode
"(^-^)" You’re doing great!
Shake it!
“(>.<)” Stop shaking me!
Button Mode
"(¬‿¬)” Lets play a game!
Sketches
Prototyping
Final Documentation
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