Solar Powered Digital Picture Frame

Step 2 Create a Frame Design for the Digital Picture Frame

The great thing about this project is that you don't have to hack the digital picture frame itself in any way. All you need to do is build up a frame around it, so that the cable running to it is hidden and the frame is disguised.

I decided that since the project was going to be solar powered, it only made sense to stick the picture frame in one of the most recognizable solar-powered objects in the world: a flower! You can choose whatever form you like of course, and any flower, too.

If you are using the same digital picture frame that I did (and I highly recommend it, it's absolutely perfect for this project!) then you may go ahead and use the templates I created for it. I chose to create a sort of cartoon-y chrysanthemum. There are five layers of petals which the frame is set into, and a few layers behind to which the "stem" attaches.

The petals were created in Adobe Illustrator, though any vector processing program would work fine. You could even work freehand, though it's easier and faster using a computer. It make lining up the layers very easy.

I started with a circle, then applied a very elongated ripple effect.

The top and second layers of the petal design are meant to reveal just the display, so I measured the size of the display using a ruler and transferred those dimensions onto the petals using the square drawing tool.

The next layer has a sort of bezel that is larger than the display, but smaller than the body of the digital frame. I measured that with a ruler as well, and transferred it to the next largest set of pedals. Note that the bezel is offset from the display, so it is placed offset in the pattern - this will keep everything centered.

The next two layers have a hole cut to fit the body of the digital frame. These too are offset from the display, so be careful when lining them up.

The rear of the flower is much simpler. Using the same technique as the front, I drew two simpler petal designs, with cutouts that match the body of the digital frame. There are also three layers of rectangular frames that act as spacers (you'll see why, later).

There are a number of flower designs that would work well for this - the runner up for this project was a sunflower. Perhaps I'll make another one in the future. By all means, go wild with your design and get creative.