ProtoFlakes: A Conceptual Modular and Plug-and-Play Prototyping Tool Kit for Smart Jewelry Design Exploration

TL;DR

ProtoFlakes addresses the challenge of exploring form and function in smart jewelry by proposing a modular, plug‑and‑play prototyping toolkit. Built on prior Snowflakes work, it derives four design parameters from ideation workshops and outlines a four‑module system with 8 mm diameter components to enable rapid, designer‑friendly experimentation. The paper details a benchmark gap analysis, a proposed hardware/software design, and an explicit plan for iterative validation, while acknowledging technical and design limitations. If validated, ProtoFlakes could lower technical barriers and accelerate diverse, form‑focused smart jewelry prototypes for broader adoption in design practice.

Abstract

The design of smart jewelry can be challenging as it requires technical knowledge and practice to explore form and function. Adressing this issue, we propose ProtoFlakes, a design speculation for a modular prototyping tool kit for smart jewelry design. ProtoFlakes builds upon the our prior work of Snowflakes, targeting designers with limited technical expertise with a tool kit to make creative explorations and develop prototypes closely resembling the final products they envision. The design requirements for ProtoFlakes were determined by conducting ideation workshops. From these workshops, we extracted four design parameters that informed the development of the tool kit. ProtoFlakes allows the exploration of form and function in a flexible and modular way and provides a fresh perspective on smart jewelry design. Exploring this emerging area with design speculations informed by ideation workshops has the potential to drive advancements towards more accessible and user-friendly tools for smart jewellery design.

Figures (4)

• Figure 1: Attendees actively engaged in the ideation process during one of our ideation workshops.
• Figure 2: A) An example of an attendee's drawing showing their idea about connections (handwritten text: "Dot or slot based structure", "adhesive or strapable base, flexible", "Insert based connections, similar to the prototyping board"). B) An example of an attendee's drawing showing their idea about grip and placement (handwritten text: "Sticklyflakes", "sticks to my skin").
• Figure 3: A) ProtoFlakes modules in various shapes, B) ProtoFlakes modules connected through vias, C) An example of a prototype using ProtoFlakes with different cover materials and colors, such as golden and silver beads.
• Figure 4: A) An example of 3D printed ProtoFlakes modules with a coin to depict the size, B) An example of a bracelet made with 3D printed ProtoFlakes modules showing connections with conductive threads.