TITLE:
iCRAFT, iWEAR, iCOMMUNICATE: ENHANCING INTIMACY THROUGH WEARABLE TECHNOLOGIES
KEYWORDS:
CRAFT, WEARABLES, SMART MATERIALS, COMMUNICATION, INTERACTION.
BLURB:
By integrating clothing design and wearable technologies/smart materials (materials which have the ability to change controlled by an external stimuli i.e. temperature, UV levels, moisture, electric or magnetic fields, stress or pH), this research aims to enhance communication through incorporating touch. Using touch as an emotional stimulus aims to strengthen the bonds of long-distance relationships (romantic or family based) by heightening the connection whilst apart.
New developments in the world of wearable technology “are fast emerging phenomena”. However, much research in this field tends strongly towards the technologically driven and market-oriented. By drawing on the inherent aesthetic and emotive qualities of craft practice and using them as a tool to project personal connections and bonds between users, and between the users and the worn device itself. This proposal aims to embed intimacy within worn communication technologies. This research proposal builds on the applicant’s previous study, which focused on the field of wearable technology and smart materials. Using interactive garments as tools to ignite conversations, body awareness and intimate touch between the wearer & non-wearer and wearer & garment.
