15 Second Drawings!

A Custom Drawing, in 15 Seconds

A Custom Drawing, in 15 Seconds

My project for Maker Faire this year is “15 Second Drawings!”  You can see me at Benicia Mini Maker Faire on Sunday April 2, 2017 and at the Bay Area Maker Faire in San Mateo from April 19, 20, and 21, 2017.

1. About My Project

I can draw things in 15 seconds. Participants tell me what they want me to draw for them and hit my homemade timer-buzzer. In 15 seconds I’ll draw what they want and they get to take home the picture!

2. Why 15 Seconds?

I did some experiments.  I knew that 5 seconds was too little and 10 seconds was also too little.  20 seconds was too much time.  15 seconds was perfect because you could either have a silly quick drawing or fail so badly it was hilarious.  Here are my tests:

My tests to see how much time was just enough

My tests to see how much time was just enough

3. Why an Ultra Fine Point Sharpie?

I did some tests to see which pen was the best for drawing.  I wanted to check the flow of the pen and how it would show up in a picture.  Here are my tests and results:

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4. What You’ll Need to Make My Buzzer

15 Second Timer-Buzzer

15 Second Timer-Buzzer

When you press the button a show of lights starts around the buzzer.  When 15 seconds are up it makes a beeping noise.  We used a left-over ice cream jar for the container, but you can use something else.  You can get everything from Adafruit.com.

My Board - Look for it at Maker Faire!

My Board – Look for it at Maker Faire!

5. Some Drawing Samples

One night we had family over and had a fun game of drawing things in 15 seconds.  Here are my drawings:

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