Before we began the 7-in-7 exercise, ‘trust the process’ was one of of our class maxims. Looking at peers from other Major Studio 1 sections stressing over their prototypes was intimidating so initially I did not actually trust the saying ‘trust the process’. It seemed too easy or good to be true just as we were heading into an extremely busy week. Fortunately, our section started the exercise a few days after everyone which allowed  for some planning and preparation. I then just decided to go with the flow of executing one idea per day and before I knew it I was was done with 7 prototypes and I had a little time on my hands to work on an eighth: a kaleidoscope using dried leaves and other parts fo plants. The maxim actually worked out for me and now I tell myself and friends  who are under pressure to just trust the process.

Controlling a plant’s grow light using sound input was initially conceived as an installation to make people more aware of plants needing humans to survive, and not just the other way around as commonly presumed. Although I intended on inciting people to reflect on their relationship with plants, merely using an Arduino and a simple circuit to control lights proved to lack depth and seemed too basic. Testing the prototype, observing how users interacted with the system and reviewing their feedback largely informed the many iterations I made.

Another step I included in my process was to continue researching and learning during the many rounds of iteration. As a beginner to physical computing, working with electrical prototypes in the early stages of the project process seemed easy as it involved simpler circuits with fewer components. As I tried developing more complex systems by programming individually addressable LEDs, it was challenging to source all circuit components at the vital stage of testing different lights.

I was able to experience the city, the seasons and nature as part of this project. At the start of the project, I was focusing on houseplants, companionship and orienting to a new city. However, during the prototyping stage (7-in-7 week) which coincided with peak fall foliage in New York City, I began looking into the ephemeral over the ubiquitous by addressing colour, seasons and the aspect of change.

Overall, the act of discovery by navigating different parts of the city and observing how plants situated in people’s lives tied really well with my design value of asking stupid questions. Over the course of the project I have become more confident talking to strangers without any hesitance. The many conversations I had with New Yorkers to identify what plants meant in their lives facilitated my understanding and exploration of the many aspects of my research inquiry.