During a 4-day global hackathon, each team received a set of Adafruit electronic components with the challenge of creating a synthesizer. I teamed up with Julius Kauffman, an exchange student, and together we built Teaparty—a playful MIDI controller that turns a kettle into a music-making device.

Inspired by the cyclical nature of earthly phenomena, Teaparty uses three sensors to measure temperature, altitude, and light. These inputs are mapped to sound gestures, transforming the kettle into a microcosmic orchestra. The physicality of the kettle led us to expose the electronics and design a cradle-like structure that invites interaction.

Teaparty is both a whimsical way to create music and a reminder to pause, brew tea, and enjoy the rhythm of simple moments.