techniques for soft circuitry

During the  Reskin Lab we had been exploring techniques for soft circuitry, each of us was asked to work on a prototype for the last 5 days of the lab to exhibit at the symposium. I was interested in exploring  possibilities for social networking on the body. We carry a wide range of technologies on us from mobile phones, ipods, computers, pda's to keep in touch with other but how could a garment help to keep us further in touch with friends, family or colleagues. Would we even want to do this through our clothing. How could I create a more intimate/meaningful way of communicating via our clothing? In creating the prototype I wanted to concentrate on the fabrication, process and techniques of soft circuitry whilst still thinking about these questions.

Many garments are embellished with design prints or accessories that could be used as a starting point for circuitry design or ways of hiding hard electronic components. I wondered how I could place tradition techniques of embroidering and replace this with  conductive thread that could be used as a circuit on the outside of the garment.

possible ways of creating embroidered circuits

The problem that would arise with this is that I had no way of protecting each of the threads from crossing over which would cause a short circuit in the garment. I also only had 5 days and the limited resistance I would have from the threads this idea was quickly put on a back burner.

possible  ways to cover hard components in wearables or create soft switchs

The dress would serve as a flexible substrate in which future technology could be embedded at a later stage. As time was limited to only 5 days of production, I decided an emphasis should be  placed on the aesthetics and connections of the nodes, that in the future could serve as possible data transmission or sensor ports. For the first prototype when each of the nodes where placed onto the circular pad area's this would trigger  different light pattern in the middle section of the dress.

 

Printing the conductive ink elements ( node pads)

suited and booted ready to apply the conductive ink                            repeat prints  of the node pads set out the table

colour way of first print for node pads                                      print with silver conductive ink applied

 
node sitting ontop of node pad

Weaving the centre area

 

 weaving of conductive threads to create light patterns

 weaving of conductive threads to create light patternn

 
presenting the dress at the anat exhibition