Cybraphon wins Scottish Bafta for Interactive Category

Last night I was lucky enough to attend the Scottish Baftas in the Glasgow at the Science Centre. It was a star studded event and while the company Dynamo Games whom I was a guest of did not win their category I was very proud to say that all three nominations for the games category came from Dundee based companies. As I live and work in the fair city this type of exposure goes along way to raise the profile of creatives in the area. So well done to all who were nominated and to the winner Proper Games for their game Flock:)

Another award winner (for the Interactive category this time) was Cybraphon an artificial band with a huge ego created by Ziggy Campbell, Simon Kirby and Tommy Perman of FOUND. Found say that Cybraphon was...

"Inspired by early 19th century mechanical bands such as the nickelodeon, Cybraphon is an interactive version of a mechanical band in a box. Consisting of a series of robotic instruments housed in a large display case, Cybraphon behaves like a real band. Image conscious and emotional, the band’s performance is affected by online community opinion as it searches the web for reviews and comments about itself 24 hours a day."

I had seen this marvelous intelligent junk box Cybraphon in action a few months back in Edinburgh at Inspace Gallery (Inspace, Crichton Street, Edinburgh EH8 9AB).

Take a look at the video below to see Cybraphon in action. I hope this post pleases him as the more web chatter he receives the happier he becomes and the more upbeat tunes he will play. (when I saw him he wasn't happy with the level of disscussion going on about him so the music was really sad - Cheer up Cybraphon, your an award winner now!!).

Cybraphon is funded by the Alt-w Production Award administered by New Media Scotland

Conductive inks

Bare have developed conductive inks that can be painted directly onto the skin... the possibilities for this type of

technology are endless and has gotten me rather excited!! Below is what Bare have to say about this innovative product

and have a look at the youtube video of the ink in action. Just amazing!!

"Bare is a conductive ink that is applied directly onto the skin allowing the creation of custom electronic circuitry. This innovative material allows users to interact with electronics through gesture, movement, and touch. Bare can be applied with a brush, stamp or spray and is non-toxic and temporary. Application areas include dance, music, computer interfaces, communication and medical devices. Bare is an intuitive and non-invasive technology which will allow users to bridge the gap between electronics and the body"

How much do you miss me...?

Ever wondered how to tell someone you are missing them without picking up the phone or dropping them an email...? Well Jia Yi Lin's Measure how much I miss you zipper communicators are a beautiful concept to show a loved one that you are missing them without actually having to put that into words.


They come as a set, keep one for yourself and give one to a loved one. Clip them to your bag or put them in your pocket, then when you feel the urge to tell them you miss them unzip the zip and by this action your communicator will trigger their communicator and it will vibrate, light up or even play a song. So much more personal than a text message.

Take a peek at the YouTube Video below and all will become crystal clear...

Sunlight Table

Rachel Hevicon's work has just come to my attention, it is wonderful. I especially like her Sunlight table. The surface of which is coated with a UV reactive material so when her leafy placemats (or anything you fancy for that matter) are placed on the table then moved, beautiful silhouettes are revealed underneath. Due to the nature of the UV reactive surface the 'print' that appears only lasts for a few fleeting moments then disappears. I think this is a wonderfully interactive table that I would love to sit at and enjoy afternoon tea at in the balmy summer afternoons. Rachel states that the table also helps people to be aware of the dangers of UVA and UVB rays found in sunlight due to the effects the sunlight has on the tabletop (changing it from white to blue where the sunlight hits)

Wireless charger... Powermat

After watching the Gadget Show last night which among other things featured this product from Powermat... it is a wireless charger. A small block which can charge/power any piece of technology as long as the Powermat technology (receivers) are embedded within whatever you wish to charge, like your phone, ipod, laptop or even as the creators claim a food blender...

See the video below for more information on how this innovative product works. I love it as I have a tangle of wires at home all from various phone, laptop, ipod chargers etc which could become a thing of the past. I'm all for reducing (un-necessary) objects cluttering up our houses, offices and ultimately landfill sites.

and here is an advert from Powermat...

At last a reason to go out in the rain...

Lazybone.co.uk have for sale an umbrella that changes colour when it rains. The pattern on the umbrella (a cloud design) is white then when drops of rain start to hit them they turn into brightly coloured rainbow patterns. The umbrellas are printed using Hydrochromic ink, this special ink is colourless when dry but transforms into wonderful colours when wet. When the rain stops pouring and the umbrella dries the print will once again become invisible. Think its time to start designing raincoats!!:)

Aurora - Second Skin by Lighting by Kyeok Kim

These beautiful pieces by Kyeok Kim create wondrous meandering patternings on the skin with light. Temporary Tattoos without the pain...

To operate the decorative light, one must gently move the ring (containing a magnet) towards the main jewellery piece.

Changing the face of fashion...

...well of a t-shirt anyway. Upon starting my masters course a year ago (which I have recently finished - you can see some of my new pieces here), I thought wouldnt it be wonderful if your clothing's patterning could change and alter over the course of a day... my research lead me down many paths and away from optical elusions, but now my thirst for this type of patterning change has been quenched by Sun Nº01 which is a limited-edition graphic T printed with a mix of ordinary and smart, uv-sensitive inks. (A collaboration between Moondial and Viennese fashion label Wendy & Jim)

See the video below to view the colour change from normal light to UV Light levels...

Find more videos like this on Fashioning Technology

Launched at the Ars Electronica Festival earlier this month, the shirt is now available internationally for €80 from the Moondial site.

A visual display of breath

Pneuma

Artists statement:

"We all breathe – this vital process happens automatically, without thinking. However, often we are not aware of the correct way of doing this. This project searches to encourage the user of the dress to breathe deeply and thoroughly, and to communicate this automatic and inevitable procedure of living to the surroundings. The idea is transformed into a product through designing an evening gown with a built-in breathing sensor measuring the breathing movement of the wearer around the waist (not the breast). The output from this interactive movement is transformed into light. LEDs installed on the inner layer of the dress in an ornamental pattern fade in and out along with the breathing movement. The greater the difference measured between the inhaling cycles, the stronger the LEDs will shimmer. When the wearer breathes superficially, only using the upper chest, little or no output will be shown." (Synne Geirsdatter Frydenberg)

e-motion from c r on Vimeo.

Designer Synne Geirsdatter Frydenberg uses these fashion pieces to highlight the motion of breathing. The dress (Pneuma) monitors the movement that our bodies make whilst inhaling and exhaling and records this movement by an outward display of light on the garment; this beautiful piece is embroydered and speckled with LEDs which are notified of the movement (breath) via a sensor that reacts to the breathing motion which occurs around the wearers waist. All this breathing and moving is sent via the sensor to the lights and a wonderful light show appears on the dress. The intensity of light depends on the intensity of breath. The harder you inhale and exhale the brighter the lights appear.

Sustainable Dance Floor

"Sustainable Dance Floor is an interactive floor which generates electricity through the movements of the dancing people.

Studio Roosegaarde created the first Sustainable Dance Floor which uses mechanisms and embedded technologies to interact with energy.

Via interactive technologies a sensual and interactive environment is created in which dancers are engaged with the Sustainable experience." (Studio Roosegaarde, 2008)

Roosegaarde's Sustainable dance floor works by using the energy generated by the movement of the people dancing and translating this energy into power to work the systems. Very DISCO and a fantastic concept to help people understand how much energy it takes to power the floor as well as give them the chance to utilise their movements and turn them into energy which without this type of harnessing would be lost.

5 Days off; WEARABLES Wearable Technology – Powered Art and Fashion Design

Some amazing wearables from the recent 5 Days Off CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION of WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY - POWERED ART AND FASHION DESIGN

July 15 - 19, 2009
Amsterdam

"Intimacy"

Artist Daan Roosegaarde is developing an interactive fashion garment using smart foil that 'becomes transparent when electrified'. This collaboration with V2_ Lab is a dress which 'becomes visually transparent according to the amount of personal intimacy involved.'


Daan Roosegaarde says: "Technology is used here not merely functional but also as a tool to create intimacy as well as privacy on a direct, personal level ... which in our contemporary tech society is becoming increasingly important."

UV tatoos

I have come across these tatoos in my quest for other sources and uses for UV ink...


Colour Changing body adornment, it is now possible to change your spots if you like, however permenant...



And here is a semi-permanant one using a stencil and the sun... could result in some nasty sunburn, suncream anyone...?

Co-Dependent Gloves

Another beautiful product and project from Fiona Carswell. Her Co-dependent gloves highlights the need for social interaction and the fact that (sometimes) we do have to depend on and need companionship and physical touch to survive.


These gloves are a set; to gain the benefit from these heating gloves the wearers must make contact (hold hands) to complete the circuit and cause the reaction. A great rebellion against the thinking people can function solely without the need for any sort of companionship and that self sufficiency is at the heart of progress and development. Working together and creating strong bonds and communities I feel will better further progress, technology and the well being of the individual as well as society as a whole.

Reveal an Explore Micro-organism Dress

Reveal and explore Micro-Organism dress:
Joanne Hodge (joanne@joannehodge.co.uk)
- Self Funded
- July 09
- Materials – White cotton
- Specialised Materials – Photochromic ink
- Interaction – Colour change (to UV light)
- Size (UK) – 8 - 14



Hints of who we are and how we are constructed seem to appear as if from nowhere on the outer garment as the wearer comes into contact with sunlight or any source of UV light.
To gain a full understanding the garment must be lifted, opened and investigated.
The prints and embroidery which come to life in the sunlight show the complexities in our physical make up and in our personalities.
This exploratory piece lets the wearer and others that the wearer chooses to explore their body on a very basic level. Uncovering secrets and hidden
truths.

For More Images see my Flickr page

Masters Degree Show

Come along to the Masters Show @ the Dalhousie building. Opening night Friday 11th September (6.00pm - 8.00pm). To find out more information on the show and my fellow classmates exhibits visit the Master of Design page

Charity Fashion Show

I am taking part in a charity fashion show (details below) so if you want to come along and see my wearables in the fleash and get to have a play before the Masters show in September then come along to the...

CARNOUSTIE GOLF HOTEL//FRIDAY 21 AUGUST//7.00//TICKETS £10 (INCLUDES COMPLEMENTARY DRINK AND ENTRY TO AFTER SHOW PATY AT THE GOLF HOTEL)

SHOWCASING COLLECTIONS FROM STUDENTS FROM HERIOT WATT TEXTILE AND FASHION CAMPUS//DUNDEE COLLEGE GRAHAM STREET CAMPUS//INDEPENDENT DESIGNERS//DUNDEE UNIVERSITY DUNCAN OF JORDANSTONE AND MANY MORE.

ALL FUNDS RAISED GOING TOWARDS BUILDING AND EQUIPPING A VOCATIONAL COLLEGE IN KIGALI, RAWANDA

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM PERFECT LAUNDRY DRY CLEANERS//18 HIGH STREET CARNOUSTIE




Please visit my flickr page for more images of my interactive garments

Multifunctional Bed Spread Top: One garment many looks...

Joanne Hodge (joanne@joannehodge.co.uk)
Self Funded
July 09
Materials – Made from recycled bed sheets and white cotton (giving life, beauty and function to discarded textiles)
Specialised Materials – Thermochromic ink, Photochromic ink
Interaction – Colour change (to heat), Colour change (to UV light)
Size (UK) – 8 -20



“Physical objects are not the focus of our deep desires; they are merely tangible entities, which transport various meanings perceivable.” (Champ­man, 2005)

Wearable’s that can satisfy or need to update our wardrobe on a daily basis...

In response to sustainability issues and our over consumption habits this multifunctional piece (one garment many looks) gives the wearer the choice and freedom to wear it how they want and change their look over the course of the day, helping to show off their individual style with no need to cut or sew (just buttoning and belting in different ways).

This fully reversible garment responds to the wearer’s body and surroundings with the simple prints appearing and disappearing to touch, body heat and sunlight (or any source of UV light).

The bold grey print is edgy but gives hints of what is underneath by way of buttons sleeves that can be folded up and the insides of pockets... a purple floral pattern seems to grow as if from nowhere when it comes into contact with UV light. Is this a softer side of the person shining through (one of the many meanings that can be taken from this startling contrast). It is up to the individual (wearer or viewer) to draw their own personal conclusions on meanings, functions and styling. Can this help build up connections between people and wearer and/or wearer and the garment?

Can this interactive garment be viewed as an exemplar of wearable, changeable, sustainable fashion?

Please visit my flickr page for more examples of this interactive garment.

Touch me Luggage tag dress

Touch me Luggage tag dress
Originally uploaded by joprints

Touch me Luggage tag dress:

Joanne Hodge (joanne@joannehodge.co.uk)
Self Funded
July 09
Materials – White cotton and satin lining
Specialised Materials – Thermochromic ink
Interaction – Colour change (to heat),
Size (UK) – 8 -20

“Touch can produce delightful sensations or uncomfortable reactions. The right touch can make us feel secure, happy, loved. But social taboos and new technologies often seem to get in the way of human contact.” (Touch Me Exhibition, V&A, 2005)



Printed using heat sensitive inks that desaturate in colour when heated. This bubble shaped garment invites outsiders into personal space, to touch, cuddle, and breathe on the wearer. What does this mean for the future of social interaction? In our ever-changing disconnected and digital world can this garment act as a connector between people giving them social and physical contact that can be seen to be lacking from their lives?

Specialised equipment – warm hands, a love of affection and plenty of puff

Please visit my flickr page for more examples of this interactive garment.

Write up on We Find; Your Trend Lab

My Shirt Collar Top and Shirt Skirt reactive garments have been spotted by a Trend website in Portugal, they have written a small write up about them and its posted on their website We Find; Your Trend Lab. Thanks for the lovely write up guys :)