PROJECT SYNOPSIS
In 2024, I designed and developed an interactive LED table, complete with a custom Node.js app for my QUT capstone project.
TabLED was developed as part of my university capstone project in 2024. Over a period of four months, I built this interactive LED table from scratch, combining electronics (Arduino), a Node.js web server, and custom woodworking. This project shows my commitment to design and innovation, bringing together technology and creativity to create a unique, hands-on experience.
After project completion, I had the amazing opportunity to present TabLED at QUT (Queensland University of Technology)'s annual Design Festival.
I was incredibly honored to have received Adobe's award for 'Young Designers with Strong Creative Vision and Inspirational Work'. It wasn’t easy, but every late night and ounce of effort was worth it.
Me with the other award winners at the Design Ceremony!
Showing TabLED to QUT staff and guests.
The Design Ceremony Night.
Showing TabLED to guests.
TabLED targets owners and managers of restaurants, bars, and clubs, offering a standout feature to enhance guest engagement and create immersive, memorable experiences.
Sketch of the social scene I imagined TabLED would be in.
The TabLED app provides real-time control of the LEDs, allowing users to seamlessly adjust individual LEDs' colors, brightness, and patterns.
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TabLED introduction interface.
TabLED main interface.
TabLED's complete setup - this was at the design festival.
TabLED is powered by JavaScript, Node.js, FastLED, and Arduino hardware.
Through observations and interviews, user testing was conducted in order to identify issues and improve the user experience.
If you are interested in a more in-depth user testing, you can download the official TabLED user report I conducted here. (PDF LINK)
The style guide uses vibrant colors and cute characters to capture the brand’s cheerful, welcoming vibe. The bold colors bring energy and positivity, while the characters add a friendly, playful touch. Together, they create a colorful, happy feel that makes the brand approachable and memorable.
This project highlights my full-stack approach to design and engineering, from building the physical table, to designing the electronics, and developing a web-based control interface.
By combining custom-built hardware with a responsive web server, I created an interactive LED experience that demonstrates my skills in both design and software integration.
EXTRA
These are the links to my Github Repositories, where I have uploaded the files for the main TabLED web server (including Node.js files and Arduino C++ files).
The Node.js server handles both the front-end and back-end of the app, serving as the bridge between the Arduino and the local web interface. It communicates with the Arduino to relay instructions to the LEDs based on user interactions.
The Arduino code defines the animations and controls how the LEDs should respond, activating specific effects when users interact with the interface.