In the fall of 2024, three Georgia Tech industrial design students, Kinsey Norton, Milli Parikh, and Madeline Tran, could often be found lounging in the open grass area in front of the East Architecture Building. This respite became routine during the extended break of their three-hour weekly workshop. 

As they lay there, anticipating their return to class, they were often delighted by the fluid and beautiful movements of the butterflies fluttering around them. These encounters eventually inspired their Senior Capstone Design project: an interactive device that could function as a piece of art combining the elegance of a butterfly with the robustness of heavy machinery.

“We envisioned a mechanical butterfly that would flutter its wings in a way that mimicked the natural motion of a real butterfly,” said Parikh. “We wanted to marry the fluidity of a butterfly's wings with the precision and strength of robotics.” 

Once they decided on their project, they needed a plan to bring it to life. Only one solution came to mind for where they could build their winged creation and where it would ultimately be displayed. 

Tran had spent three and a half years at Tech working as a peer instructor (PI) at the Interdisciplinary Design Commons, better known as the Hive Makerspace, a space inside the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering where students across campus can access electronics-oriented resources to bring their ideas to life outside of the classroom. 

“The Hive is like home to me and was the only place I wanted to share this with,” said Tran. “Being a part of an interdisciplinary space has been pivotal for me as a designer because I am able to work with and learn from so many students of different backgrounds. Everyone's diverse knowledge has shown me how there are so many different pathways to get to the same end goal, and when you work together, you can combine everything you know to join the missing pieces and figure out the best possible solution.” 

But every big vision needs a budget. The trio had to find a way to fund their big idea. 

“Working at the Hive, I knew that they had sponsored projects in the past,” said Tran. 

Tran reached out to Kevin Pham, director of the Hive, about their project, and without hesitation, he agreed to provide the necessary materials and support. 

“Madeleine and her team have been instrumental in creating this and so many beautiful projects," said Pham. “This was an easy yes.”  

With everything they needed secured, the trio quickly got to work. The wings of the butterfly were made from high-quality acrylic, resistant to fading, while the mechanical components were crafted from a combination of aluminum and steel, custom-welded to achieve the desired flutter motion. 

They worked closely with Brandon Royal, resident machinist and Hive PI, to design and build the mechanical structure. They faced numerous challenges, including ensuring the durability and safety of the installation. They incorporated safety features such as a band around the motor to prevent accidental damage. 

“The piece is designed for the engineers in the Hive,” said Tran. “We wanted to leave it as a gift to them for sharing their space and creating a community for so many students.” 

"We envisioned creating a stress reliever that students can interact with and appreciate the beauty behind its engineering,” added Norton.  

Mounted on a post at a comfortable level, the butterfly installation allows users to come up to it, interact with it, and understand its mechanics. The butterfly is now a permanent installation in the Hive 

Throughout the project, the designers conducted user testing with their peers in the makerspace. They found that engineering students preferred simple, intuitive controls. This feedback led them to design interactions that allowed users to control the butterfly's movements easily. The project became a collaborative effort, with input from various students and staff at the Hive. 

“The final project was exactly what we hoped for,” said Tran. “I was excited that it could now officially be a permanent installation in the makerspace.” 

The trio was proud to leave behind a piece of art that combined their skills in industrial design with the technical expertise of their peers in engineering in a place that had nurtured their curiosity for so long. Their hope is that the mechanical butterfly will not only add beauty to the Hive but also serve as a source of inspiration for future students. 

“We hope our project encourages others to explore the makerspace and take advantage of all the amazing opportunities it has to offer,” said Parikh.