THE INSPIRATION
"Glowings" is the origami-inspired mobile of cranes that I created. I was inspired to create the cranes as a memorial for Leyla B., an alum from my middle school, since the entire school folded paper cranes for her family after she passed away.
THE DESIGN
The mobile is made from wood with clear acrylic wings, which light up. The LEDs get their power from a solar panel, and the circuitry includes a dark-detection circuit so the cranes automatically turn on as night falls and turn off as dawn breaks. I also created custom acrylic wings with Leyla's image on them.
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MARKET ANALYSIS
In 9th grade, I took the project a step further by developing a full profit-and-loss statement, business plan, and mass production of the cranes for sale purposes. I talked to mentors in manufacturing and conducted 50+ user interviews with stores in the area and patrons of those stores to inform my pricing. In 10th grade I delved even further into manufacturing, production, and marketing of my cranes.