![]()
2022
Desires of
My Microwave
Role:
Designer, Collaborator
Researcher
As a designer drawing inspiration from post-human critical theories such as Object Oriented Ontology, I was interested in separating form and function and examining how objects influence each other solely on their affordances.
![FIG 01. Initial Ideation](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5ddf13e0874ce0cca5114d2ee83507ab92fbe4b9e74de8fa17b452e98fd01f14/Scan-5.jpg)
![FIG 02. Successful Execution](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fd613958ac68706023ae808e4fd7c6221e4105b4a390d4a8916eb87e651cfa23/Calculator-9.jpg)
GOAL
To turn my microwave into a fully functional calculator that could perform mathematical operations using only its existing buttons.
To turn my microwave into a fully functional calculator that could perform mathematical operations using only its existing buttons.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d0c73a40d883c919d3148104d1e7d6367229a5868dde620ef157f7cea6f3a3bb/Screenshot-2023-02-21-at-10.21.27-PM.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4235dd75f8a5dab769ed5a2149ccfbeb3c15b61050fff55b1c0d5b2dab32ff73/Screenshot-2023-02-21-at-10.21.27-PMd.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f6af684ad8622852140a65672e1f185e3299740e92eedb4382170fbc1dcee5fa/Screenshot-2023-02-21-at-10.21.27-PMas.jpg)
FIG 03. Reaching out to Engineers
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6222d8132501c28dc68fc126a5281961277ca8f98b60f3375baa3cfd0a09915c/dd.jpg)
FIG 04. Communicating to Non-Designers
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ee9d8b330cb6695634b16acb524788f70d50f35fc732f1b30f3d097dcb6f66dc/Scan-2.jpg)
FIG 05. Planning and Research
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ab3cca760946035557750556206ebd2f83865aaef70f3583574608e3382f3724/Scan-3.jpg)
![1. Safe Opening and Discharging](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d32805a1d70c28ad1d1ec71aa759a715c813cd94185bfecb00a5646cf7da6487/1.gif)
![2. Desolder the Motherboard](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/82d3170dff1ebec83df946edb14f7df06f9a4b59be17a366f82ce8242e5801e4/2.gif)
![3. Re-solder to Custom Circuit](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/531c7fcfb744c2f9fea8bf316a1804a3ebeda6998f8f031e9a4c9fbef813bc7e/3.gif)
![4. Re-design and Test Circuit](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/abd1102ad22aec9a93a362687582dcaf636e6fec7cf98fe805c24a0919f030b9/4.gif)
INDUSTRY COLLABORATION
Opening a microwave is dangerous due to the high-voltage capacitors inside. To ensure safety, I had an electronic engineer supervise the discharge of the circuit before reprogramming it.
With the assistance of a creative technologist, I developed a custom Arduino circuit to power the microwave's new arithmetic brain.
WORKING MODEL
A microwave has multiple buttons and functions that are already similar to those on a calculator, such as addition, subtraction, and a clear button. To me, a microwave was always a calculator that is waiting to be unlocked.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f51a95695691b12c3c2dbef81ed2b96af0c8a6f25f2130269fce8a994edbf8b6/Screenshot-2023-01-16-at-10.27.09-PM-min.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f60a4bec9ec3a584012f302c77f7e011eee183974723d0f2bca2697d78518581/ezgif.com-gif-maker.gif)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fcc87c142b22ab26bb6b9aa3fa569468db811f36758beb31b2e23515b0a4d361/Screenshot-2023-01-16-at-10.27.30-PM-min.png)
REAL-WORLD TESTING
OTHER EXPLORATIONS
![]()
Adding grow lights to my Microwave to help plants grow. All after removing the heating of course.
(More Info Coming Soon)
OTHER EXPLORATIONS
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/60e0e06bb5ad123999924737edb6f3a3aaa3b69418ffcbf0e10237abd6e84a32/Plant-Final.gif)
Adding grow lights to my Microwave to help plants grow. All after removing the heating of course.
(More Info Coming Soon)
Research under the guidance of:
Allan Wexler, Award Winning Artist + Designer
Special thanks to:
Creative Technologist: Krithi Nalla
Electronic Engineer: Usama Mughal
Programmer: Usama Mughal
Studio Photography: Arjun Sivaprakasam
Lighting: Arjun Sivaprakasam
Allan Wexler, Award Winning Artist + Designer
Special thanks to:
Creative Technologist: Krithi Nalla
Electronic Engineer: Usama Mughal
Programmer: Usama Mughal
Studio Photography: Arjun Sivaprakasam
Lighting: Arjun Sivaprakasam