WEARABLE ELECTRONICS

Social Switches When properly planned, a switch can create the opportunity for a social interaction. Using Simple switches, try to create a wearable circuit that lives on multiple bodies and responds to a social interaction between two or more people Examples: Power Me Up: One person has a wearable with a battery supply and the other has the rest of the circuit. When they connect through a contact switch, an LED lights up on person 2 You Complete Me: A break in the circuit on one wearable is activated with a touch or special object making contact with it. We’re All In This together: Multiple people have parts of a circuit that only work when all people are present

What Makes Something Wearable Comfort Placement Guidelines Durability Strain Relief- to handle tugging that will break connections Insulation Design for modularity- remove sections to be replaced Protection against the elements- water, dirt, other Usability Aesthetics Expression of User

Designing For Wearable Process (Prototyping) 1. Choosing a Form Which body part are you focusing on? How are you “housing” your electronics? Hacking Wearables: Start with a current piece of clothing Quick for prototyping Thrift store finds Need to find good spots to place electronics DIY- need to understand contours, sizes, how to piece together 2. Choosing Material Hard or soft materials? Threading? Fabrics? 3. Choosing Components After choosing material. Boards, sensors, etc. 4. Creating a Layout Essential to think of circuits 3-dimensionally Planning the layout is important- sketching Awesome diagram on pg. 87 Paths of soft circuits Grouping components 5. Iterate