Reach

Reach investigates the potential for communication and expression to be incorporated dynamically and interactively into the things we wear everyday. Through a series of iterative prototypes, we are exploring both the textile material and the interaction qualities of clothing and accessories. Our intention is to develop computational properties and interactive behaviors that are incorporated directly into wearable items while simultaneously exploring how dynamic patterns can be woven into the material – in initial prototypes we are exploring properties of person-to-person communication, proximity, and environmental sensitivity as expressive properties. Ultimately, we aim to develop a new dynamic language of wearable expression integrating aesthetics, pattern, and computation into everyday articles with increased personal and cultural meaning.

In our investigation of new forms for wearable communication and expression, our aim is to create ‘wearable sketches’ or prototypes that test both material and interactive qualitie. Through this iterative process we aim to incorporate our findings into new 'smart' clothing or textiles.

The wearable sketches include every day worn items such as hats, bags, scarves, and skirts that react or interact with the environment or persons within the environment. In addition, they explore both additive and subtractive pattern making processes where patterns grow or are revealed in response to changes in one’s personal, social or environmental space. Material samples and prototypes include the use of cottons, woven linens, conductive materials, uv-sensitive textiles, thermo-chromic materials, & electro-luminescent wire.

The results of this project will be a line of interactive wearable pieces demonstrating a new vocabulary of dynamic expression.

Design concepts

reach out { hats }
Initally this began as an exploration into how to share sound experiences with others in public space. However it has resulted in several different ideas based on human-to-human interaction and namely proximity.

Different incarnations of reach out hats share textile patterns or sound (music) when 2 or more persons wearing the devices are in close proximity with each other. The closer any person gets to another person, the more the visual or sonic pattern bleeds or is shared and experienced with another person. Namely, the sound or aesthetic pattern changes in relation to proximity to others.

Results from these first sketches have led to other investigations. Currently, we are examining hats or headgear that can augment sound and/or create silent spaces, as well as clothing that can change pattern based on proximity to other objects and based on what type of space the wearer is in (ie public space vs. private space).

reach in { bags }
With the reach bags we concentrate both on what computation could bring to already existing interaction patterns associated with bags as well as layering new information within the bag to reveal changing patterns based on surroundings. We have completed two sketches including the 'torch bag' and 'environment patterns'.

the torch bag
Having searched for keys too many times in a dark bag, this bag creates light in the darkness.

environment patterns
Inspired by the plug and play aspect of the Sonic City project, this bag is intended for use with several sensors that react and reflect the environment. Sensors measure sound level, llight, temperature.

reach around { scarves }
Reach around scarves reveal or create patterns and even hidden messages based hanging on environmental conditions (sunlight, temperature, wind). The first sketches provide warmth in addition to changing the pattern of the scarf based on temperature. When it gets cold outside, the scarves heat up and chage patterns.

revealing patterns
With this scarf messages are revealed to both the wearer and others as the scarf heats up.

creating patterns
This scarf takes an additive approach, creating a patterm where her was none before.

In addition to temperature changing scarves we are reseraching ways to reate a scarf for all seasons that creates different patterns based on what time of year it is.



Project team
Anders Ernevi, Margot Jacobs, Linda Worbin