SPRINT BRIEF

Use the art kit to design and build your own art machine. Explore how different parts move, connect, or interact to create patterns, marks, or textures. Experiment with motion, balance, and materials to see how your machine can make art in unexpected and creative ways.

Test different ideas: change the speed, balance, or position of your markers and see how the drawings change. Small adjustments can create surprising results!

to explore the innovative fusion of technology and art, enabling new forms of visual expression.

Why?

You will be utilizing this kit to explore different designs for your art machine model. The kit provides structure without limiting your creativity, encouraging you to experiment and make your own design choices.

Final Project Expectations

You will utilize the provided kit and explore multiple designs. Feel free to use additional materials.

Your machine must incorporate at least one mechanical and one electronic component in its design. Examples of mechanical components include gears, levers, or pulleys, while electronic components may consist of motors, sensors, or microcontrollers.

You must design and build a functional drawing machine.

+

+

+

The design process will include 5 steps:

THE PROCESS

Look at past examples to get inspired

Precedent Research

Brainstorm ideas and sketch your machines movement in three frames

Conceptualization

Bring your prototype sketch to life by building a model that recreates your movement using the Art Machines Kit + CAD Drawing and laser cutting

Model Making

A good example of signals are "the launch of chatGPT" or "the fall of the iconic tunnel tree redwood" and good examples of drivers would be "artificial intelligence" or "climate change"

Add a touch of interactivity to bring your machine's movement to life.

Interactivity Integrated

Then, identify signals (glimpses of the future we already see today) and drivers (what made the signal possible)



Documentation

Final Expo

Take a video of your machine in motion and turn it into a gif

Session 1

60mins

Session 2

60mins

Session 3-4

120 mins

Session 5

60 mins

Session 6

60 mins

A precedent is a real-world example or project that you can research to better understand ideas related to your work.

Here are a few examples of drawing machines. Think about how the movement works, which components are used, and what makes each one interesting.

Precedent Research

1.

Lego Machines

؜

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the primary function of the drawing machine you studied?
2. How does the machine enhance the artistic capabilities of its user?
3. In what ways do you find the machine innovative or creative?
4. Can you identify any unique materials or technologies used in the machine?
5. Discuss any design challenges the creators might have faced. How were these challenges overcome?
6. Imagine an alternative use for the machine outside its intended purpose. What is it, and how would it work?

Save a collection of pictures and create a presentation of your chosen machine.

؜Jean Tinguely (1925-1991), Méta-Matic No. 6, 1959

Sun Yuan and Peng Yu

Can’t Help Myself

What it is: Industrial robot in a cage, programmed to push a red liquid back into a circle.

How it works: Sensors detect the spreading liquid; the robot sweeps it endlessly, creating a continuous, repetitive motion.

Why it matters: Shows a machine performing an expressive, Sisyphean task—connecting robotics, motion, and art in a dramatic, visual way.

Nick Sayers — Giant Drawing Machines

Large interactive drawing contraptions made from recycled bicycle parts that produce Spirograph‑like patterns and pantograph drawings — popular at science festivals and workshops.

Sougwen Chung — Assembly Lines

A performance‑based robotic art installation where robots collaborate with the artist in painting/drawing, exploring co‑creation between humans and machines.

START WITH THE VIDEO LIBRARY

You can research outside of this list (Google, YouTube, Wikipedia etc.) to find other resources.

Check the toolbox

In brainstorming, students collectively generate ideas that will shape the concepts for their group projects. They typically begin by listing ideas individually, then come together to share and discuss them using a pin-up brainstorming board filled with writing, drawings, Post-it notes, and lively conversation.

1 - ENCOURAGE WILD IDEAS

2 - SUSPEND JUDGMENT

4 - BUILD ON IDEAS

5 - BE VISUAL

3 - GO FOR QUANTITY

Wild ideas can often give rise to creative leaps.

Don’t shoot down someone else’s idea.

Aim for as many ideas as possible.

Build and expand on the ideas of others.

Sketch your ideas.

Class Brainstorming

2.1

You will brainstorm in each column for 5 minutes. During each round, everyone should contribute as many ideas as possible to the assigned column.

Motion

Swinging

Sponging

Catapulting

Spinning

Medium

Sand

Paint

Ink

Coffee

Dripping

Markers

Motion

Select one from each column.

Swinging

Sponging

Catapulting

Spinning

Medium

Sand

Paint

Ink

Coffee

Dripping

Markers

؜

For example

1. A swinging motion that can be used to drip or drag paint
2. Rotating Arm – A spinning part that can draw circles or spirals (e.g., like a spirograph or spinning marker).
3. Crank and Arm – A hand-turned crank that moves a pen back and forth (like an old sewing machine).
4. Sliding Track – A pen that moves in a straight line using a guided track (e.g., like a plotter).
5. Scissor Linkage (Expanding Arm) – A mechanism that opens and closes, pushing a pen in and out.

Brainstorming

Each group presents:

Medium + Mechanism

Example:

Paint + Pendulum

1. → A swinging paint marker that creates splattered lines.

2.2

؜Write 1–2 sentences to explain your drawing machine idea.

1. What inspired your drawing machine? (Think about art, nature, or other machines.)
2. How does your machine move or make marks?
3. What do the marks look like? (Lines, dots, shapes, patterns…)

Your title should be short, catchy, and descriptive. Keep it simple and playful – One or two words is enough. Avoid long sentences or complicated phrases.

Examples:

1. Swinging Paint → Mechanism + Medium

Brainstorming

2.3

Sketching in design thinking is a quick and visual way to explore, communicate, and develop ideas. It helps designers think through problems, test concepts, and share their thoughts with others—without needing polished drawings. Sketches can be rough, but they’re powerful tools for brainstorming, prototyping, and collaboration.

What is Sketching ?

Sketching is the first step in bringing your ideas to life. It’s a way to quickly capture and explore different concepts on paper.

Why Sketch? Sketching helps you visualize your thoughts, experiment with shapes, and work out design problems before moving to more detailed work.

1. Start Simple: Begin with basic shapes and lines to represent your ideas.
2. Explore Ideas: Don’t worry about making it perfect; use your sketches to explore different possibilities.
3. Add Details: Once you’re happy with the basic shape, you can start adding more details and refining your design.

Example Sketches

Create three small sketches (like a mini comic strip) that show how your art bot moves to create the final artwork.

Frame 1 – Starting Position

Draw your machine before it starts moving.

1. Where is the marker or tool? Where is the paper?
2. What mechanism is about to move?

Frame 2 – Movement

Show the machine in action.

1. Draw arrows to show movement (spin, swing, lift, slide).
2. Show how the marker touches the paper.

Frame 3 – Final Artwork

Show the result of the movement.

1. What marks did the machine create? Lines, dots, splashes, spirals, or patterns?

2.4

Sketching

You will be creating a second sketch, more like a diagram, right after your first protoype.

Prototyping is the process of turning your sketches and ideas into physical models that you can test and improve. It starts with drawing your concept, then building simple versions using materials to explore how it moves or works. Prototyping helps you test mechanisms (how parts move or connect) and kinetics (how motion happens), so you can find what works and what needs fixing.

ACTIVITY MATERIALS

Cardboard

Colored Acetate

Bristol Papers

Zip-ties

Straws

Metal Ruler

Pencil 

Markers 

Cutting Blade

Masking Tape

Hot Glue Gun

String

Brads

Popsicles and wooden skewers

CARDBOARD TECHNIQUES: JOINERY

Brads

Flanges

Brace

Skewer

Bend

Hinge

Slots

Butt Joint

CARDBOARD TECHNIQUES: Mechanism

Scissor lift

Grabbing

Waving

Tentacle

Curving

Sprin

Pulley

Cam & Follower

Model Making

3.

Now it’s time to turn your technical drawing into a real prototype!

A prototype is a first working version of your idea that helps you test how your machine moves and draws.

Model Making

3.

Step 1 – Build the Base

Start by building the structure of your machine.

1. Cut a cardboard base where the paper will sit.
2. Build supports or walls if your mechanism needs height.
3. Make sure the base is stable and doesn’t move while drawing.

Step 2 – Build the Mechanism

Create the movement system you planned.

Examples:

1. Attach a crank that rotates a stick
2. Build a pendulum arm that swings
3. Add a spinning wheel for circular movement
4. Create a cam or lift that moves up and down

Focus first on getting the movement to work.

؜Wheel / Axel + Random Straight Lines

Model Making

3.

Step 3 – Add the Drawing Tool

Attach the marker, pencil, or pen to the moving part.

Think about:

1. How firmly it is attached
2. If it can touch the paper lightly
3. If it can move smoothly

Step 4 – Test the Movement

Place paper under your machine and test it.

Ask: Does the mechanism move the way you expected? Does the marker make interesting marks? Is the machine stable? Try multiple tests.

Model Making

Student Examples

Model Making

Student Examples

Model Making

Student Examples

Example Bot Configurations

Example Bot Configurations

Desk Critiques

Group Feedback

Kinds of Feedback

There are three forms of feedback. Understanding these can help us understand the conversations we have with our teams and improve our own ability to react to and use feedback to strengthen our designs.



Reaction-Based

Feedback

Direction-Based

Feedback

Question-based Feedback

X

X



Feedback time!

Teachers are going to move around the class and give feedback to each group!

Make sure you have your research, sketches, and prototype.

Diagramming

؜Once you get feedback, create a clearly sketch to show your final design. This sketch will allow you to know what piece you would like to laser cut.

1. Draw the main body or base of your machine.
2. Clearly draw the mechanism that creates the movement.
3. Use arrows to show movement.
4. Label the important parts
5. Write small notes about used materials

High Fidelity prototyping

Digital Fabrication is the process where your ideas become real objects. Once you’ve designed something, you can use tools like 3D printers or laser cutters to bring it to life. The 3D printer builds your design layer by layer in plastic or other materials, while the laser cutter can cut or etch shapes precisely from wood, cardboard, or acrylic. It’s like turning your sketches and digital drawings into real, touchable creations!

Every team must improve their design by adding at least one laser-cut part. This ensures your machine is not only creative but also precise and strong! Tip: You can combine both: use laser/XTool for parts that need precision, and kit pieces for parts you want to play with or test. This way, your machine has both accuracy and creativity.

Model Making Part 2

3.

Choosing Your Parts: Kit vs Laser/XTool

Laser-cut or XTool pieces

1. Perfect for precision parts that must fit exactly.
2. Ideal for mechanisms like:
3. Cams, Gears, Hinges or pivots, and structured supports that hold the machine steady

Kit pieces

1. Flexible and easy to experiment with.
2. Great for:
3. Arms, levers, or cranks that you might adjust
4. Supports that don’t need exact measurements
5. Trying out new movement ideas quickly
6. Kit parts make it easy to test, change, and improve your design.

Tip:

You could combine both! Use laser/XTool for parts that need precision, and kit pieces for parts you want to play with or test. This gives your machine both accuracy and creativity.

Interactivity is when your design can respond to people or the environment. It means your project doesn't just sit still—it can move, light up, make sound, or react when someone touches it, presses a button, or gets close. Adding interactivity makes your design more engaging and dynamic, turning it into something that can communicate or perform.

Interactivity Integrated

4.

Next, you’ll add electronics to power your mechanisms and bring them to life—this is where interactivity begins, letting your project move.

Interactivity Integrated

4.

Learn about motors in the "electronics" folder in the toolbox.

؜ If your machine needs to shake, wiggle, or move randomly across the paper (like a dancing scribblebot)...

→ Use a vibration motor

Tape it to a lightweight base with markers as legs. The vibration will make it move on its own.

؜If your machine needs to spin something (like a rotating arm, spinning platform, or turning a marker)...

→ Use a DC motor

Attach the motor directly to the moving part's axis (like a cardboard wheel, platform, or marker arm).

To Create a Motor Circuit

Power Supply

(Batteries)

Motor

(Takes electricity and uses it to spin)

Connector

(Conductive Wire)

CREATING THE CIRCUIT

Design the object you want your motor to spin. 

How does it attach to the motor shaft?

9v Battery

Geared Motor

Either use crocodile clips

or

if you have a battery pack use the wires to connect the battery to the DC motor

+

-

Interactivity Integrated

4.

؜Mechanims that work with DC Motors (Spinning/Continuous Motion)

1. Rotating Arm: Great for spin art or drawing rotating patterns
2. A simple arm attached directly to the motor shaft
3. Crank and Slider: Good for making an arm draw waves or zig-zags
4. A crank attached to the motor turns, which pushes a connected sliding arm back and forth
5. Cam + Follower: Perfect for gentle bouncing or lifting motions
6. A cam (off-center disk) spins on the motor shaft, pushing a cardboard arm up and down as it rotates

Interactivity Integrated

4.

Examples for DC motor

Interactivity Integrated

4.

؜Mechanisms that work with Vibration Motor

1. Multi-Leg Marker Base
2. Several arms or markers attached to a round or square base

Interactivity Integrated

4.

Examples for Vibration motor

Document your work!

5.

Take a photo and record a video of your project moving and turn it into a gif.

Now unleash your drawing bot onto a canvas, T-shirt, or any surface you can imagine!

End of Challenge!