Fruit Taps
Fruit Tap is a hybrid physical-digital game inspired by classic games like Tetris and Fruit Ninja. It uses Makey Makey and handmade physical fruit inputs to let players control the digital experience through tangible play. The result blends physical interaction with digital feedback, creating a playful and memorable user experience.
Project Description, My Role, and Outcome
Fruit Tap was designed to explore physical computing and embodied interaction by merging real world objects with digital gameplay. Taking cues from familiar casual games, the system invites players to interact with physical fruit “controllers” that trigger in-game actions. This approach challenges typical screen-only interaction by giving players a tactile, playful way to engage.
The project was built with JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and p5.js, and integrated with a Makey Makey controller to translate physical input into digital response. Players tap, press, or touch the fruit to make game events happen, grounding digital play in physical gestures.
I was responsible for all of the design elements of Fruit Tap, including visual assets, interaction timing, and overall aesthetic. I also embedded these designs directly into the codebase, connecting the visual expression to technical functionality. My work ensured that every visual cue, animation, and interactive moment supported both playfulness and clarity.
This project deepened my interest in physical computing and embodied interaction. Beyond building technical fluency with p5.js and web technologies, I learned how non-traditional inputs can significantly increase accessibility, surprise, and delight in user experiences. The game reminded us that interaction design can extend beyond screens to include real world movement and touch, making play feel more social, approachable, and grounded.
The final outcome is a functioning physical-digital game prototype that demonstrates the power of tangible interaction. Fruit Tap taught me how design choices shape play and how creative input methods can transform a simple game into a unique interactive experience.
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