Ms. Pacman
A search to find the 80's
A search to find the 80's
Ms. Pac altered arcade project: This is a fully-functional arcade that I designed, built and wired from the ground up. I wanted it to be more then just clever carpentry but, a unique piece that ultimately serves as 3-d Pop Art. Although I am an illustrator at heart, this project shows my passion for building & wiring and my love for the iconic fixture of Ms. Pacman and the spirit of the 80's.
Ms. Pac Custom Arcade-
My massive undertaking to build a custom cocktail style Ms Pacman arcade was a boyhood dream. Is it a kitchen island, a kiosk, an arcade on wheels, or an clunky eyesoar of a forgotten video-gaming yesteryear? I feel it is functional 3-D POP art that represents: my work ethic, my design aesthetic, sense of humor, ingenuity, eye for detail, and willingness to go there. From the philosophical microcosm of the game itself, to the hyper-color palettes, the lights, shapes and the sounds- it all embodies the spirit of my generation and me.
My massive undertaking to build a custom cocktail style Ms Pacman arcade was a boyhood dream. Is it a kitchen island, a kiosk, an arcade on wheels, or an clunky eyesoar of a forgotten video-gaming yesteryear? I feel it is functional 3-D POP art that represents: my work ethic, my design aesthetic, sense of humor, ingenuity, eye for detail, and willingness to go there. From the philosophical microcosm of the game itself, to the hyper-color palettes, the lights, shapes and the sounds- it all embodies the spirit of my generation and me.
This a 3-D exploded view of the Ms. Pac project. Adobe. I made this illustration to show the various layers, infra-structure & support system.
Diagram of SIde View
Ms. Pac & Ghost-shaped Plexi Glass Doors with Power Pellet knobs -
I wanted the doors & knobs, like everything else, custom elements from the game itself and not just 2 plain generic cabinet doors. The Doors functionally open revealling a finished lit bottom level dedicated to storage of Ms. Pac memorabilia. etc. The knobs are custom made with Neoprene balls that were drilled, filled and inserted with blinking LED lights.
I wanted the doors & knobs, like everything else, custom elements from the game itself and not just 2 plain generic cabinet doors. The Doors functionally open revealling a finished lit bottom level dedicated to storage of Ms. Pac memorabilia. etc. The knobs are custom made with Neoprene balls that were drilled, filled and inserted with blinking LED lights.
Hidden Collapsible control console. This illustrates step by step the deployment of the hidden control console. The lower right corner illustrates the key button control assignments.
Diagram of Contoler console . Top, SIde, Bottom & front view(s)
Ms. Pac Shaped fan hole Vent & grill (left - "Off" daytime / rightside: "ON" at night)
This was one of my favorite ideas. I cut the fan ventilation holes and fan grills into the shape of Pacman. Next, I wired in: yellow, blue & red LED's to both fans so, you can see the Pac shape illuminated along with a cool tri-color spinning pattern when the unit is on. Last, I placed filtrate on the inner side of both fans and directionally wired the 2 fan's motors opposing so that, one fan directionally blows cool air in on one side while. the 2nd fan (opposite side) takes hot air out.
This was one of my favorite ideas. I cut the fan ventilation holes and fan grills into the shape of Pacman. Next, I wired in: yellow, blue & red LED's to both fans so, you can see the Pac shape illuminated along with a cool tri-color spinning pattern when the unit is on. Last, I placed filtrate on the inner side of both fans and directionally wired the 2 fan's motors opposing so that, one fan directionally blows cool air in on one side while. the 2nd fan (opposite side) takes hot air out.
Ms. Pac.-
Night Light Effects. There are lots of LED lights and yards of EL' wire all on sequential flashing setups.
Night Light Effects. There are lots of LED lights and yards of EL' wire all on sequential flashing setups.
Ms. Pac Wiring Diagram.
Complete schematic breakdown of wiring for the Ms. Pac Unit. Displays all connections, power ratings, AC & DC current, etc.
Complete schematic breakdown of wiring for the Ms. Pac Unit. Displays all connections, power ratings, AC & DC current, etc.
Early build photos
Ms. Pac Napkin Holder/Salt & Peper Shaker
Colored PLexi glass, LED lights, 2 colors of EL' wire. I custom made the Napkin /Salt & Pepper holder out of plexiglass. I wired the 4 power pellets to light up and blink while the El' wire frames the form out in neon like colors. Power is inverted and quick-connects, via a coil-chord in back, into the arcade's main wiring harness. I fabricated the ghost shakers using Sculpt-Epox; then sanded, primed & painted each their own personalities. I finished them with a few protective clear coats .
Colored PLexi glass, LED lights, 2 colors of EL' wire. I custom made the Napkin /Salt & Pepper holder out of plexiglass. I wired the 4 power pellets to light up and blink while the El' wire frames the form out in neon like colors. Power is inverted and quick-connects, via a coil-chord in back, into the arcade's main wiring harness. I fabricated the ghost shakers using Sculpt-Epox; then sanded, primed & painted each their own personalities. I finished them with a few protective clear coats .
"Ms. Pac Rack" Paper Towel Rack :
Made from: clear, yellow & red plexiglass. I designed this handy retractable paper towel holder to fold out from the underside of the counter top. Once you follow the 3 simple steps illustrated, you have a stable paper towel dispenser in the Ms. Pac motif.
Made from: clear, yellow & red plexiglass. I designed this handy retractable paper towel holder to fold out from the underside of the counter top. Once you follow the 3 simple steps illustrated, you have a stable paper towel dispenser in the Ms. Pac motif.
Ms. Pac Fruit Basket:
I started with a round metal frame fruit basket. Next I sawed, formed & soldered brass dowel rods- to form the Pac man shape into the bowl. Then, I primed & painted it yellow with a blue base. For added show I added in yellow El' wire. Last, It was time to fill the basket with Ms Pac's favorite fruit snacks from each of the game boards, including a faux pretzel. Last, I literally wrapped things up by fixing atop a hot pink stiff-wire bow.
I started with a round metal frame fruit basket. Next I sawed, formed & soldered brass dowel rods- to form the Pac man shape into the bowl. Then, I primed & painted it yellow with a blue base. For added show I added in yellow El' wire. Last, It was time to fill the basket with Ms Pac's favorite fruit snacks from each of the game boards, including a faux pretzel. Last, I literally wrapped things up by fixing atop a hot pink stiff-wire bow.
Ms. Pac phone -
I installed a working telephone /coaxial cable connection that is wall-plated on the back of the arcade cabinet. The phone is an old collectible that I performed a "lips n' lashes" sex-change to with Tester's model paint. I also added a custom cut plexiglass bow. You can actually get calls on your home land-line or plug in a cable or satellite to watch tv on the monitors if desired.
I installed a working telephone /coaxial cable connection that is wall-plated on the back of the arcade cabinet. The phone is an old collectible that I performed a "lips n' lashes" sex-change to with Tester's model paint. I also added a custom cut plexiglass bow. You can actually get calls on your home land-line or plug in a cable or satellite to watch tv on the monitors if desired.
Ms Pac Table Settings etc.
Here are a few examples of simple craftwork & details. I cut and polished yellow lucite for the Ms. Pac Napkin rings. I bent and formed plexi to make the 2 Ms. Pac bowls. I though up a clever way to make "sporks" into Ms. Pac silverware. The coasters were a simple Perlor bead craft project but suited.
Here are a few examples of simple craftwork & details. I cut and polished yellow lucite for the Ms. Pac Napkin rings. I bent and formed plexi to make the 2 Ms. Pac bowls. I though up a clever way to make "sporks" into Ms. Pac silverware. The coasters were a simple Perlor bead craft project but suited.
A few old school classic game options.
"Ms Pac Maniels?"
This was a 3-d bottle label I designed on the computer. It is a Ms. Pacman spoof of the famous Jack Daniel's bottle label (if it converted into the world of Pac Land). I also custom made the Ms. Pac bottle top stopper. Jack Daniels = Ms. Pac Maniels.
This was a 3-d bottle label I designed on the computer. It is a Ms. Pacman spoof of the famous Jack Daniel's bottle label (if it converted into the world of Pac Land). I also custom made the Ms. Pac bottle top stopper. Jack Daniels = Ms. Pac Maniels.
Ms. Pac Gameboard wall art. -
First, I got a screen capture of the game, enlarged and divided it up into 9 smaller sections. Then, I made 9 rectangular wooden frames, painted them black and inserted white plexiglass inserts to convert each frame into 9 into mini-light boxes. Last, I positioned a network of LED lights inside each of the 9 frames, hung the piece & plugged it in for a nice wall backdrop companion piece.
First, I got a screen capture of the game, enlarged and divided it up into 9 smaller sections. Then, I made 9 rectangular wooden frames, painted them black and inserted white plexiglass inserts to convert each frame into 9 into mini-light boxes. Last, I positioned a network of LED lights inside each of the 9 frames, hung the piece & plugged it in for a nice wall backdrop companion piece.
