While a lot of my project seems do-able, there are constraints in every project. So lets get into what I’m thinking my constraints will be while making a magic mirror:
- Money – This project requires a computer monitor, two-way glass, a raspberry-pi, and wood for the frame. The cheapest monitor I could find was around $80 (since it has to be pretty flat to work). Also, the best two-way glass can get pretty expensive depending on how good you want the interface to look.
- Time – The time that it will take to get everything shipped to me is a little worrying. I need to be saving up money now and ideally getting it shipped before next week.
- Skill – I don’t know a lot about fabrication and working with wood. I have never made a shadow box, and while I have found some instructions online, I want it to be something of my own and therefore not just a cookie cutter of an online tutorial. This worries me because what if I mess up?
- Material – The idea I have in my head for the type of wood I want is likely not going to be the type of wood that I find. I want it to be weathered but still functional and I’m just not sure that I will find that exactly. I might have to end up just buying wood from a hardware store.
- Weight – Right now, I don’t know how heavy this artifact will be. Ideally I want something that I can move around with me as I move apartments.
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I think this is an awesome undertaking for a final project. I personally always wondered how these work and were manufactured so I am very excited to see how this turns out and your process behind fabrication! With regards to your constraints, I think once you just start with the whole process everything will come together nicely. Other than that I am very excited to see how this turns out!
Hey Isabella,
So I want to answer to 2 of your 5 constraints.
The first one is #3-skill. Do not be scared to mess up! in fact, mess up a lot and quickly to learn! The idea forge has a very well equipped workshop and they have tons of scraps for you to PRACTICE and mess up! In fact, if you want I can go with you and help you as part of my work trade.
The second is #4-material. Don’t settle! If you wan to achieve a certain aesthetic, go for it. There are lots of places to find aged wood, and if you can’t find some maybe you can use new wood but chip it and stain it, and give it the “aged” look you want.
Ben