Interactive Objects

The Needlebox is designed to create a full touch sensory experience. The adjustable wire ‘combs’ allows the user to alter the angle at which the needles point to create an artificial ‘grain’, selecting whether they will massage or stab when stroked. These allow for the user to create their own experience in whether it will be pleasant or painful. They can stroke it, prod it, press it or whatever tickles their fancy. It is only limited by the user’s creativity. The rotating combs and hinge locks make the Needlebox a fully kinetic experience for the user as they are not restricted to just interacting with the needles but the entire box itself.

Instruction

To adjust the angle of the needles first the lock must be raised by pulling up the hinge. Then, whilst holding up the lock, the rod to which the needles are attached is rotated by twisting the non-grooved end on the opposite side to the hinge. For the lock to work the rod must be oriented that one of the five grooves is under the lock’s ridge. The lock is then dropped so that the ridge enters the groove. The angles of the needles don’t have to be all aligned as adjacent combs have been made so that they can cross one another. The two combs closest to the ends of the box can’t be adjusted as much as the others as they will hit the edges of the box.

The purpose of the needles is the sensations they create when pressure is applied to them but the method of which this is done is left up to the user to decide. For better results, apply the needles to a larger surface area.