PRESCRIPTION
This course is an examination of the many categories of wearable technology, as well as closely related fields, such as wearable computing, techno fashion, electronic textiles, intelligent jewellery and smart clothes. Students will research, experiment with and design wearable technology projects, from conceptual work to pragmatic solutions and applications. Through the introduction of wearable technology, the course aims at inspiring students’ creativities and interests in generating innovative designs for future fashion and textile.
COURSE CONTENT
This course explores the various ways that wearable technologies are being incorporated into clothing to improve life and enhance aesthetics. Students will be taught the necessary skills in order to engage with the assignments on a practical and theoretical level. Students will also contribute to the knowledge acquisition of the entire class by researching and presenting one particular wearable technology project. In the final project students will work individually and have a number of themes to choose from. Both projects will be accompanied by a series of lectures dealing with wearable technology and larger issues related to the field, as well as hands-on tutorials addressing the technical requirements of the assignments.
COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Students who are attending this course will be able to:
- Identify and explain the new trend of wearable technology, and its technological and cultural meanings to the society
- Master the basics of electronics and Lily Pad Arduino microcontroller coding.
- Communicate research through structured presentations with confidence.
- Critically investigate the choice of design to arrive at the best solution relating to content and context, and apply their firm understanding of the problems and needs of wearable technology design challenges and the manners in which they may be addressed.
- Be fluent in the current issues surrounding the design of wearable’s
COMMUNICATION OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Name: Assistant Professor Galina Mihaleva
Room: 29 Level 4
Phone: 91550658
Office Hours: Tuesdays 2pm – 3pm or by appointment
Email: gmihaleva@ntu.edu.sg
TEACHING FORMAT
The one session per week will include lectures as well as practical tutorials, group critiques and individual mentoring. Students are expected to attend all weekly sessions. In order to be able to create wearable technology projects, it is essential to learn some basics of electronics and Arduino microcontroller coding. To ensure this, there will be a number of in-class technical tutorials. Students are required to revisit these tutorials outside of class time, and to practise and master the tasks set out in these basic tutorials. This is a tightly packed course, so any absences could potentially result in a large setback. Any potential absences should be communicated to the course coordinator via e-mail prior to the missed class. Additionally, students may seek assistance from the course coordinator during office hours or by making appointments
ASSESSMENT
| 1
|
Research: Identify and explain the new trend of wearable technology,
|
1 week, due Oct 19
|
10% | 1
|
| 2 | Collage mood boards | 3 weeks, due August
26 |
10% | 1
|
| 3 | Blog post, text and simple calculation based assignment
|
throughout semester | 10% | 2, 1, 2 |
| 4 | Three Topics’ -Final Project | 10 weeks, due 28 Oct
|
30% | 1 |
| 5 | Research Presentation’ +Portfolio | 4 November | 25% | |
| 6 | Exhibition +Fashion Show | 29 &30 October | 25% |
FINAL PROJECT
THREE TOPICS | 7weeks | individual project | Assessment: 50%
In this project students will create a wearable technology project that relates to one of the three topics below. The topics are partially adapted from World of Wearable Art (WOW) categories.
Topic A
“Art Forms in Nature” Biomimicry
Gather your inspiration from the many images of Ernst Haeckel and create a work of art to adorn the body. The geometrical shapes and natural forms seen in the illustrations of Ernst Haeckel have influenced artists, designers and architects to this day.
Topic B
“Conceal and Reveal” Environmental issues
Create a garment that transforms with an element of surprise. Is it what it appears to be? From slow mutation to rapid exposition, design a wearable that plays with the possibilities of hiding and exposing, changing and transforming.
Topic C
Scientific research Novelty
Please select from the existing research papers
Brief:
I t is your assignment to research and conceptualise a wearable that addresses one of these themes, be it through acoustic or visual signals, through motion, or by controlling a media environment. There are many possibilities for input sensing, from accelerometers to temperature sensors, and the goal is to create the ideal mapping of input and output, embedded appropriately in the garment or accessory.
At the end of the project you should have a functioning reactive/interactive wearable, which you will give a unique title and refine for presentation. Clarify the context in which this work is situated; reflect on the message, significance and the scope of the outcome. Write a text for your project, starting with a short description and then followed by an elaboration of the intention and meaning. Make digital presentation/documentation materials of your work. Document your work through text, photos and video, and if applicable, any other suitable media. Make sure the materials present your work in the best possible way.
Assessment Criteria:
- The idea mood board– the degree to which it engages its audience and the coherence of the design concept
- The degree to which a variety of design concepts were explored to arrive at the result
- The originality, creativity and innovation with which the brief was met and the project created
- The mastery of the technical challenges of the project
- The expressiveness of the final project
- The professionalism of the presentation of the project
Hand-in format:
- Present finalised wearable in class (details to be discussed in class)
- Submit by we transfer: finalised presentation materials of project including at least three high-quality, high-resolution images (min. 200dpi), text with original title of the project (min. 200 words as .doc or .txt), and short video (min. 640x480px)
Due dates:
Presentation on concept mood board for Final Project: Friday, 26 August
Documentation materials due on: Friday, 4 November
Final, curated class presentations: Friday, 28 October
Art Science Museum Exhibition: Saturday 29 October and Sunday 30 October
Fashion Show: (date to be confirmed)