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Sheldon
Development Summary
Sheldon was developed as a hybrid project that combined physical making with digital interaction.
The idea was to turn a simple turtle character into something players could actually touch, while
still giving that object a game-like personality through Scratch. That mix of tactile input and
on-screen reaction made the project feel playful from the beginning.
My Role
I focused on the digital side of the project by designing and coding the gameplay in Scratch. That
included the menu, the friendship meter, the character dialogue, and the overall pacing of how
Sheldon reacts to the player. I also worked with edited AI-generated turtle imagery and voice lines
to give the project a more complete character presence.
Physical and Digital Link
The clay turtle itself became the bridge between the object and the game. Using copper tape and a
micro:bit setup, touch on the sculpture could be translated into actions inside the digital
interface. That connection was the core of the piece, because it made petting the turtle feel like a
meaningful part of the gameplay rather than a separate gimmick.
Reflection
What I liked most about Sheldon was how naturally it brought sculpture, programming, and character
design together. It showed me how effective a small interactive idea can be when the physical and
digital sides support each other clearly. If I revisited it, I would expand the world around Sheldon
and add more character interactions so the experience could grow beyond the friendship loop.
