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Make a Wish is a small digital gift for someone far away. You blow to make a wish and the candle goes out. Turn a dial, and the flame comes back. It’s a way to share a special moment—even from a distance.
“I can’t be there to light your candle, but I’m sending you a wish.”
ROLE
Concept Development
Interaction Design
Physical Prototyping
3D Modeling + Animation
TEAMMATE
Individual
TOOL
Blender, Arduino
TIMELINE
2025 — 7 weeks
IDEATION
A Breath, a Wish, a Light Across the Distance
This idea began with the simple ritual of blowing out a birthday candle and making a wish. I wanted to turn that into a meaningful digital experience, especially for someone far away. I explored how breath could become both input and emotion, and how light could carry a message of care across distance.
How might we recreate the feeling of being there for someone even when we’re apart?
PROCESS
Sensors Exploration
During the sensor exploration phase, I tested both a flex sensor and a microphone to detect breath. The flex sensor responded to gentle bending in a way that felt more expressive, almost like the flicker of a flame, so I chose it to better capture the feeling of blowing out a candle.
Flex Sensor
Microphone Sensor
3D Modeling + Animation
I designed the candle and flame in Blender with a soft, strawberry shape, my friend’s favorite, for a playful, personal touch. Glow shaders and low lighting create a cozy, wish-making mood. When the flame is blown out, a particle burst recreates the magic of making a wish.
Cake Modeling
Particle Animation
Connect Script
I wrote a custom Python script in Blender to receive serial data from the ESP32. A flex sensor detects breath, triggering the animation in real time, seamlessly linking physical gesture to the digital scene.
INPUT DIAGRAM
How Everything
Connects
This setup uses two inputs connected to an ESP32:
Flex Sensor (Pin 33): Bending simulates a breath to blow out the candle, triggering the flame-off and particle effect.
Potentiometer (Pin 32): Turning the knob relights the candle.
Both send real-time data to Blender via serial. A custom Python script listens and triggers animations, turning gestures into magical visual responses.
I can’t be there with you,
but I still want to celebrate you.
Happy birthday!
FINAL PROTOTYPE
Making a Wish
(Live Demo)
The final prototype brings together physical sensors and digital visuals. A flex sensor detects the breath to extinguish the candle, while a potentiometer relights it—turning a birthday ritual into a poetic, interactive experience.
REFLECTION
From Concept
to Reality
This was my first time connecting Blender with an ESP32 and using analog sensors. There were many troubleshooting moments, but I learned a lot about debugging, sensor data, and serial communication. It also made me think about how to share this experience with people far away.