Syllabus: Topics and Assignments

WEEK 1: January 26   

• CLASS: Lecture by Sabine: Introduction to class, precedents
• ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Reading: p. 12 – 25 in Seymour Sabine Seymour (2008): Fashionable Technology, The Intersection of Design, Fashion, Science, and Technology. SpringerWienNewYork, Austria.
  2. Reading: Lumbar Thoughts by Umberto Eco
  3. Reading: Electronic Textiles, Wearables Computers, Reactive Fashion, and Soft Computation by Joanna Berzowska
  4. Post information about yourself on the Blog.

WEEK 2: February 2

• CLASS:
  Lecture by Sabine: Science fiction in Fashionable Technology
  Lecture by Kate: Introduction to Conductive Materials
• ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Review & present projects from p. 26 – 195 in Seymour. Research projects that capture you emotionally. What do you envision as an output for the class?
  2. Read Chapter 1 in Fashioning Technology by Syuzi Pakhchyan

WEEK 3: February 9

• CLASS: Students: Present assignment 2.
  Lecture by Sabine: The design process for fashionable technology. History of wearables.
  Lecture by Kate: Fashionhack: Sewing a Simple Circuit


• ASSIGNMENTS:
  
  1. Post an overview of your research topic to the blog.
  2. Post your final project idea with images, illustrations, precedents, and keywords to the blog.
  3. Fashion hack: create a creative fashionhack project with the circuit covered in class.
  4. Reading: Smart Clothing: The Shift to Wearable Computing by Steve Mann
  5. Reading: Chapter 2 in Fashioning Technology by Syuzi Pakhchyan

WEEK 4: February 23

• CLASS: Students: Present Fashionhack Assignment
  Lecture by Kate: Hello Lilypad, Hello Arduino
  
  
• ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Finish your “Fashionhack” and upload finalized pictures and description to the blog.
     
  2. From idea to concept. Create a concept brief: formulate your project idea, research precedents/inspirations, identify the context of use. Be prepared to present in class.
  3. Continue with research topic and post new findings to blog.
  4. Reread steps 1-4 of the Lilypad instructions
  5. Bring your Fashioning Technology book and be prepared to discuss Chapters 1 & 2
  6. Bring alligator clips and AAA batteries to class.

WEEK 5: March 5 (rescheduled)

• CLASS: Students: Present final project concept briefs
  Arduino & Lilypad continued
  
  
• ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Research materials for your final project.
     
  2. Post all outstanding assignments to blog.
  3. Be prepared to discuss all materials for final project with Sabine on Monday.

WEEK 6: March 9 (Kate at ETech - led by Sabine & Ambreen Hussein)

• CLASS: 5: Students: Present materials research.
  
  
• ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Research technical specifications for your final project.
     
  2. Create final concept: moodboard, sketches, (fashion) illustrations, photos, video, animations, …

WEEK 7: March 23

• CLASS: Students: Present research and final concept.
  Lecture by Kate: Materials Research
  
  
• ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Create final project brief for the construction including technical illustration and wearability analysis. This should be a PDF that includes links and images. Be sure to post it to the blog.
  2. Based on our conversations in class, create a production schedule for your project for the remainder of the semester. Post it to the blog and be prepared to present it in class.
  3. Reading: Wearability
     • Design for Wearability: Francine Gemperle, Chris Kasabach, John Stivoric, Malcolm Bauer, Richard Martin
     • Psychophysical Elements of Wearability: Lucy E. Dunne & Barry Smyth
     • The Comfort Assessment of Wearable Computers: James F. Knight, Chris Baber, Anthony Schwirtz and Huw W. Bristow

WEEK 8: March 30

• CLASS: Students: Present cohesive final project briefs and production schedule drafts. 


• ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Post revised production schedule to the blog.
  2. Post a detailed materials list for your project.
  3. Complete the next steps for your project that we discussed in class.
  4. [Due April 13] Go to the Corpus Extremus show at Exit Art. Take notes during your visit and post a reaction on the blog, citing specific pieces.

WEEK 9: April 6

• CLASS: Construction
  
  
• ASSIGNMENTS:
  ***POST ALL WORK TO THE BLOG PRIOR TO THE START OF CLASS.***
  Ginny:
  -Make a physical prototype of the vest & head out of muslin, other fabric, or paper.
  -Conduct silicone tests.
  Luis:
  -Work with sensors, Arduino, and LEDs.
  -Conduct hugging observations and record and analyze results.
  -Create a diagram of the intended interaction.
  Sandy:
  -Work with sensors, Arduino, and LEDs.
  -Identify & order necessary light material (luminex or other).
  -Continue with heel & sole research.

WEEK 10: April 13

• CLASS: Construction
  
  
• ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Construction
     
  2. Reading

WEEK 11: April 20

• CLASS: Construction
  
  
• ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Construction
     

WEEK 12: April 27

• CLASS: Construction
  
  
• ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Construction
     

WEEK 13: May 4

• CLASS: Construction & testing final presentation
  
  
• ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Finish prototype
  2. Upload final documentation for your research topic including links, photographs, writings, etc.

WEEK 14: May 11

• CLASS: Construction & testing final presentation
• ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Prepare final presentation

WEEK 15: Friday, May 15, 12-2:40, room 1005

• CLASS: Final presentations (guest critics)