CyberCrystal Vest: Final Report Part 2 – The How

Timeline of the CyberCrystal Vest Project

Week	Phase	Developments
1	Ideation & Aesthetic Definition	Brainstormed cyberpunk-inspired designs, sketched early vest concepts, defined goal for movement-reactive wearable tech
2	Component Exploration & Research	Researched Neopixel LED chains, vibration sensors, microcontrollers, and 3D-printed wearable components
3	CAD Modeling & Prototyping	Designed three sizes of crystal spikes in Fusion 360 with LED cavities and mounting holes, test printed using translucent PLA
4	Electronics Testing	Wired and soldered test Neopixel chains, wrote early animation code using Adafruit libraries, verified LED logic with microcontroller
5	Vest Selection & Layout Planning	Chose and prepped a used black fishing vest, experimented with layout of crystals for aesthetic flow and comfort
6	Crystal Printing & LED Soldering	Printed final crystal set, hand-soldered each LED with flexible wiring, checked color behavior and connection integrity
7	Code Refinement	Added state-based LED effects using millis() timing for better responsiveness, defined behavior patterns for vibration input
8	Assembly & Integration	Used safety pins to attach crystals through vest lining, embedded wires, tested motion interactivity
9	Final Documentation	Took photos, prepared sketches, wrote report drafts, and completed blog and presentation materials

Fabrication Process: From Parts to Vest

1. Ideation and Sketching

The project began with a core idea: a reactive vest that feels alive and changes color based on movement. I envisioned a cyberpunk exoskeleton that would shimmer when calm and flash when energized. Early concepts explored a sharp, crystal-laden vest, with lighting behaviors drawn from both natural bioluminescence and digital glitch art.

2. Crystal CAD Modeling and Printing

I designed three sizes of 3D-printed crystal spikes in Fusion 360, each shaped with a cavity to house a Neopixel LED and small lateral holes for either sewing or pinning into fabric. I used translucent white PLA to allow LED light to diffuse softly. These were printed in sets and lightly sanded for better light scattering.

3. Electronics Integration and Wiring

Each LED was soldered to form a daisy-chained series of Neopixels, allowing for each LED to be individually and simultaneously programmed as addressable objects, using flexible stranded wire to allow movement without breakage. After each LED was soldered, I first ran continuity checks with a multimeter, then tested the chain with basic color setting commands to ensure continuity.

After the test chain passed, I moved into programming using an Arduino-compatible microcontroller, the Adafruit Flora The code accomplished the following:

• Used a vibration sensor (piezo disc) to continuously detect body movement
• Switched LED patterns based on intensity and duration of vibration
• Replaced all delay() functions with millis() timing checks for smoother, non-blocking animations (Think of the delay funciton as checking your laptop for emails and THEN putting food in the oven to bake, while updating millis() checks is like checking for emails WHILE your food is cooking in the oven.)

Lighting Modes Implemented:

• Idle: Soft crystal shimmer (low brightness), crystals twinkle at random with various colors
• Intermittent movement: Orange-yellow ripple top-to-bottom
• Sustained vibration: Red pulsing strobe

4. Mounting and Garment Assembly

I used a repurposed black fishing vest as the base, chosen for its multiple layers, heavy-duty construction, and cyberpunk look.  I added chains and zippers, along with making some cutoffs at the edges, to give it a more punk-ish, rugged look. The 22 crystals were mounted over each LED then pinned from the inside of the vest using safety pins, which proved surprisingly effective:

• Invisible externally
• Easy to reposition
• Secure under motion

I routed wires inside the lining and tucked the battery and microcontroller inside an internal chest pocket. All wires were heat-shrunk for insulation and soldered securely.

5. Final Touches and Testing

I performed several tests by wearing the vest while dancing and jumping. After adjusting vibration sensitivity in the code, the lighting transitions worked seamlessly with movement. The final product is:

• Fully reactive to motion
• Visually consistent with cyberpunk/futurist design
• Comfortable and modular

Conclusion: Reflections and Results

Where I Started

My initial vision was to make a motion-reactive cyberpunk vest that looked like it had grown crystals of pure tech. I wanted something that wasn’t just flashy, but felt alive—changing based on how I moved, syncing with rhythm and energy.

Where I Ended Up

The finished CyberCrystal Vest meets my aesthetic and functional goals:

• Reactive LED effects that change naturally and react dynamically to motion with consistent performance
• A strong visual silhouette with glowing crystal elements
• A clean design with minimal visible electronics + wiring
• Tactile and wearable, even in energetic environments

I stuck close to the Artificial Nature meets Cyberpunk aesthetic and succeeded in making something that could easily fit into a festival, rave, or sci-fi film.

What I Might Have Done Differently

• Explore sewn mounting earlier: Safety pins worked well, but a mix of sewing and pinning could’ve added extra stability.
• Add audio reactivity: It would have been cool to make the vest respond to sound as well as movement.
• Test more crystal shapes: All crystals were angular and rigid—some soft geometry might’ve added more visual depth.

What’s Next

I plan to keep refining the design:

• Add color changing code based on detected audio frequency using FFT code I created for a separate project
• Try using clear resin or diffused TPU for future crystal prints
• Make it more durable to hold up under real-world conditions for a long time
• hide the wiring

Summary

The CyberCrystal Vest was a culmination of electronics, design, fabrication, and aesthetic exploration. It pushed me to improve my skills in soldering, programming, CAD, wearable design, and system integration, and even learn new skills like sewing; most importantly it gave me a chance to bring a part of my identity into physical form, namely my love for captivating futuristic visuals and electronic music. I even wore it to a show and had several people ask where I bought it!

It’s more than just a vest—it’s an expression of rhythm worn for others to see.