This controller was created as an extension to my project SOIS, a generative artwork that runs on a small display and it’s hanging on my wall. Moved by curiosity and experimentation, I asked myself what if I could control and make variants holding a device in my hands?

This experiment led me to a good amount of dopamine hits each time a part of it was figured out. After many nights and weekends shaping this small object in the smallest details, I couldn’t help but smile to the fact I made my very first, fully assembled electronic device, at home.

I keep a stock of small micro-controllers and components I can just plug and play to test ideas quickly – like that small Arduino Modulino, for example. The breadboard prototype above is essentially everything this device needed to exist.

Initially I wasn’t sure how I wanted the device to look like: the size of the buttons, the power switch or the USB port. Had to spend a couple of days sketching ideas until I landed on the final version of the PCB that gave me more flexibility with the final enclosure design.

When designing the user interface for the web version of SOIS, I started with a large screen size, with enough space to position the controlling elements the way I wanted. The mobile version had to be more practical and take advantage of hand and finger gestures, which was a considerable rethinking of how the controls worked. For this controller, the interface is experienced through a 720x720 pixels non-touch screen.

So I spent some time exploring the physical knobs and button clicks and arrived in this gaming controller type of experience that led to the final UI. Not everything has to be on the screen at the same time. If you know you can go back a screen by pressing a physical button, there’s no need for a back button to be visible on the screen all the time. These arguments are the perfect excuse for designing minimalist and bold UIs that escape the conventions we’re used to.

The SOIS controller is a device that measures 16 x 7 cm, you can hold it with both hands for better usability, and play it like video game. Can be printed at home and it’s easy to put together. Printing with Bambu Labs X2D in high-quality settings takes around 8-12h, all pieces combined. Watch the video below for the assembly demonstration.