TEXTILES IN PERU

An evening dress combining yucatecan embroidery and electronics

BLA

GOAL

PROCESS

The Studio Session was planned ahead with the support of the Design Lab staff, in particular Nina Baker and Michael Ano.

The idea was to have a good mix of theory and practice, in order for the concepts explained to the students would sink in through experiential learning. Also, the students would be able to take their first soft smart sensor at home with them :)

Kits were prepared with: Arduino UNO, Felt for the soft sensor, conductive fabric, fusible interfacing, jumpers, vibration motors, LEDs

The students first designed the shape and size of their soft sensor (a push button), then cut it and applied the fusible interfacing to then fuse the conductive fabric on top of it.

After that, they tested their sensor by connecting it to a circuit powered by an Arduino that would allow them to push the button to either turn an LED on or a vibration motor.

OUTCOME

Of the 10-12 students typically expected for a Studio Session, the Soft Smart Sensor session received over 25 students.

It was a huge unexpected success and regardless of the much higher number of participants, there was enough material and time for the workshop were enough to allow them to create their sensor. Not every student was familiar with Arduino, and some had NEVER used an iron before !!!

The next session will be in November 2019. Stay tuned!