I made this hanging card for my closest friend/”family member,” Ilayda, who has been by my side since 4th grade. She feels like a sister to me as we are very comfortable sharing our thoughts, ambitions, and concerns to one another. Ilayda radiates positive energy as I feel and see her liveliness as soon as she walks into my house and greets me. We have gone for periods of time without seeing each other due to distance, yet each time we instantly re-connect as if we had never separated. I admire her presence and can’t wait to give her this card inspired by the light and warmth that she brings into my life. 

      When creating my tribute card using an empty cereal box, the design thinking process came into play. I originally thought I was going to create a typical rectangular shaped card saying something similar to “You are my sunshine.” However, after thinking about how I could add more meaning, get my message across effectively, and how my design could be more visually appealing, I decided to make a new prototype. The quote on the card, “Your energy is infectious” lays within the borders of the sun. Whenever I see Ilayda I am instantly in a better mood and feel a weight lifted off my shoulders as I am able to put aside my worries. The x shape intersecting the heart mimics the form of a warm embrace as Ilayda is sure to show her affection. There is a copper wire loop so it can be hung from up above in a position similar to how one often thinks of the sun. The interactive feature is a press down tab which hovers right above the battery/holder in back (tape can be used to hold it in place with enough pressure for the light to stay on). However, creating the circuit was the most frustrating part for me. At first, I experimented and tried to make a circuit in the form of a circle, but unsurprisingly the current would not go through due to the slight overlapping each time I had to turn the tape (notice it in my circuit image). I left it in my circuit since it did not seem to interfere with anything (cut into it just in case).  I then proceeded to lay down copper tape in certain areas in order for the LEDs to reach both a positive and negative end. I remembered to put copper tape face down with masking tape on top to add more contact on each leg and to secure it in place to stay lit. After all the LEDs were snug and working I cut out three layers of tissue paper and pierced two pieces of wire through to keep them together. Next, I cut 4 strips from the cereal box, bent them, and secured them to the back of the paperboard. As you can probably tell, I used markers for the text and glazed over each surface with metallic gold acrylic paint. Of course, that part was the most fun for me as I was able to be carefree among the precision of circuits. Yellow and orange are also Ilayda’s favorite colors so comparing her to the sun truly feels natural. 

      Luckily, having been able to experiment with circuits in this course gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to complete this card. Using old cereal boxes prior, or paperboard, has really been beneficial for me in creating circuits. It provides just the right amount of sturdiness as the base and additional pieces of it can easily bend when needed. Having constructed a lotus flower out of many layers of tissue paper inspired me to continue to explore the exposed transparency of the paper over lights. Thinking about circuits in the division of and bringing together both positive and negative helped me to not feel overwhelmed by a task I was not too familiar with weeks ago. Despite how simple the shape of a circle is, having Ilayda in mind gave it meaning to me.

      This project reminds me of when I made cards for mother’s/father’s day throughout elementary school, but mostly in the regular classroom. I felt comfortable making a mother’s day card as I recognize(d) my mom’s efforts and contributions to enhance my life. However, having my father be absent in my life, then only figuratively, I felt forced to depict my father in a positive light. Due to my personal experiences, it is easy for me to see how other children would not want to participate in such an activity for either day. This could be for multiple reasons.  Another, being that youngsters do not always come from “traditional” families, especially in modern day society. To avoid feeling a sense of “otherness” (left out/uncomfortable/confused), I believe these types of cards should not be a part of the education system, specifically in K-5 (art) classrooms. This is why I found making this tribute card refreshing. As educators we should do our best to avoid making assumptions about (those who may be present in) children’s’ lives and focus on how we can form projects that are inclusive/relatable, meaningful, and engaging. 

      Making a card in honor of someone close to one’s heart or someone he/she looks up to (not implying that it has to be for a specific (type of) person) incorporating (a) (very) simple or complex circuit(s) can be used in K-12 art classrooms. Students would be encouraged to experiment with (tissue) paper, bubble wrap, cellophane etc. to interact with the LED(s) and/or natural light. Of course, another project utilizing these or similar materials in K-8 could be to create an imaginary friend or creature with at least one feature or accessory that lights up inspired by a friend/classmate and/or pet/animal. Meanwhile, large rolls of copper tape itself, with varying widths, could be available in the art classroom for students to use to bring a reflective surface into their works and/or to add detail, etc.