TabLED

The Interactive LED Table

This project showcases an interactive LED table that enhances user interaction through light and color patterns. Developed as part of my QUT capstone project, it combines web development, electronics, and creative design.

What is TabLED?

TabLED is an interactive LED table and digital interface, featuring a 240-LED grid designed to enhance the ambiance in social venues like clubs, bars, restaurants, and events. With its intuitive interface, guests can "draw" patterns, adjust brightness, and control colors and animations in real time, creating custom light displays. This engaging, hands-on feature transforms any environment, inviting guests to interact creatively and elevating the overall social experience.

Project Purpose

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, a Node.js web server, and custom woodworking. This project showcases my commitment to design and innovation, bringing together technology and creativity to create a unique, hands-on experience.

Target Audience

TabLED is designed for owners and managers of social venues—restaurants, bars, and clubs—who seek to add a standout feature that enhances guest engagement and creates a memorable, immersive experience. By transforming tables into interactive digital canvases, TabLED offers venues a unique way to foster social interaction and captivate guests through dynamic, hands-on lighting control.

The Interface

The TabLED digital interface is designed for intuitive, real-time control of the LED setup. With a 20×12 grid mirroring the physical layout, users can select individual LEDs, adjusting colours, brightness, and patterns seamlessly. The interface encourages quick, creative interaction, making it easy for guests to personalize lighting displays to suit the atmosphere of any space.

The Exhibition and Award Night

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. Hard work really does pay off!

Below are some photos of the event and award ceremony!

The Technology

TabLED combines electronics with intuitive design, using JavaScript, Node.js, and the FastLED library to deliver real-time, responsive lighting experiences. Each interaction is powered by an Arduino microcontroller, ensuring a smooth connection between the digital interface and physical LEDs.

Javascript ▼

Proficient in creating custom Shopify themes, integrating apps, and optimizing online stores for better UX.

Node.js ▼

Experienced in crafting digital marketing campaigns, leveraging SEO, and using social media for growth.

Arduino ▼

Example text for another skill to showcase responsiveness.

FastLED Library ▼

Example text for another skill to showcase responsiveness.

Python ▼

Example text for another skill to showcase responsiveness.

Web Applications ▼

Example text for another skill to showcase responsiveness.

The Design Process

Research ▼

Explored user needs, market trends, and competitive products to establish design direction.

User Personas & Journeys ▼

Created personas and mapped journeys to understand user goals and pain points.

Sketching ▼

Visualized initial ideas through sketches to brainstorm concepts and refine layouts.

Branding ▼

Defined the visual identity with cohesive colors, typography, and logos.

Electronics Planning ▼

Designed circuits and components, ensuring compatibility with interactive features.

Lo-fi Prototyping ▼

Built quick, low-fidelity models to test basic functionality and iterate.

Physical Table Design ▼

Developed the structure and aesthetic of the table using cardboard and acrylic.

Material Organisation ▼

Coordinated materials like glass, LEDs, and wiring for a polished build.

Mid-fi Prototype & Testing ▼

Created functional prototypes for user feedback and tested usability.

Wiring the Electronics ▼

Connected LEDs, sensors, and other components for responsive interactions.

User Interface Design ▼

Designed a simple and intuitive interface to control the table’s features.

Coding the Final Program ▼

Implemented the code for interactivity, animations, and custom features.

Hi-fi Prototype ▼

Completed the high-fidelity prototype, integrating all elements into a polished final product.

User Testing

During class, I conducted user testing for my TabLED interface. Each participant presented their own project, and I got valuable feedback on mine. This setup allowed me to observe real-time interactions and responses to the interface.

Style Guide

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 physical construction and software integration, bridging hands-on craftsmanship with seamless, user-friendly technology.