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Meg

Fabricate – Wearable 3D Printing for the Rest of Us

written by Meg

If you were wondering how the gorgeous yet rigid 3D printed haute couture of the likes of Iris van Herpen or Francis Bitonti might trickle down to the masses, 3D Systems might have the answer.

Photo: 3D Systems

They just released project “Fabricate” for use with the Cube, their 3D printer designed for home use, however, the applications of their base technology is much broader than hobbyist designers and makers.

It brings the 2014 collection of knitwear fashion house Pringle to mind, using 3D elements as decorative and enhancing, rather than an entire 3D printed outfit. At $1199 for the Cube printer plus Fabricate Design Pack and $149 for the Design Pack alone (presuming you already own a Cube), there is an initial deep pocket investment, but there is something more important going on here.

Tastefully art-directed, they’ve made it extremely easy for the average user to whip up something delicious. This gives beginners a place to start – a springboard for inspiration. It figures out the technical details, so that creators can focus on the form.

Photo: 3D Systems

The basic premise is quite simple: extrude a base layer or footprint onto the print plate, cover with a layer of mesh or other structurally loose fabric, and then continue printing your forms, trapping the fabric between bottom and top layers. Once you’re done, sew around the edges to integrate the printing into your garment. Click here for their excellent intro website.

Photo: 3D Systems

The team is encouraging experimentation by its users. “I can’t wait to see how people use this technology to push the boundaries of fashion,” says Annie Shaw, Creative Director at 3D Systems. The message is decidedly inclusive and definitely in the spirit of the discovery of making. It also brings us one step closer to being able to download our clothes off the web – I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait!

Photo: 3D Systems

October 2, 2015 0 comment

Fashion

Interactive Fashion from Rotterdam

written by Meg

More nice work coming out of the Netherlands fashion schools with Jasna Rokegem’s Brainwaves pieces.

Photo: Jasna Rokegem

Styled for both men and women (so long as they are from the future!) the work uses neurological activity sensors to activate lights and movement in the clothing.

Photo: Jasna Rokegem

Technical collaboration came from Contrechoc and the resulting work is a great example of how design can compliment technology and vice versa. See more on how the garments work on her website.

Photo: Jasna Rokegem

The project has earned Jasna a nomination for a 2015 Bachelor Award.

September 27, 2015 0 comment

Fashion

Chameleon Mood Scarf

written by Meg

Neffa Studio’s Chameleon Mood Scarf is designed to create a sense of comfort, warmth, peace and safety for the wearer.

Photo: Neffa Studio

Different layers of phase-change inks change and react depending on the environment, making different patterns come to the forefront depending on the situation.

Photo: Neffa Studio

Neffa Studio describes the phase-change design this way: “the black pattern is printed in thermochromic ink, which responds to the wearer’s body temperature. The pattern disappears as it warms up; this gives the scarf a more muted appearance and renders the wearer less conspicuous, which is precisely what you want if it is fear or stress that has forced your body temperature up. The light green pattern is printed in photoluminescent ink, which reacts to light and glows greenish blue in the dark for added visibility. The white print uses photochromic ink. This print reacts to UV light and changes from white to orange when the wearer goes outdoors, reflecting how sunlight often improves people’s mood.”

Video by Local Androids

What I like about this scarf is its well-considered use of technologically-advanced materials. There are plenty of examples of “cool tech” being showcased just for the sake of the tech – this piece, however, not only has a thoughtful concept behind it, but stands alone as a tasteful design that is quietly high-tech.

Go to the project page to read more about it and perhaps learn something you didn’t know about chameleons: www.neffa.nl/portfolio/chameleon-mood-scarf

July 29, 2015 0 comment

DIY

Make It Wearable Winners

written by Meg

Drumroll please… The winner of Intel’s Make It Wearable development track is:

Nixie, a wearable, flying selfie-cam!

Yes, the above image is a rendering and at first glance it may look like a bulky piece of hardware, but the latest prototype is rather elegant. This was definitely in my top 3 picks due to the segmented industrial design solution for the arms of the quad-copter wrapping around the wrist. Hopefully they’ll make some nice images with some of their $500K prize money, but meanwhile, here’s their publicity video:

Congratulations, Team Nixie!

In second place, the heart-warming project from Open Bionics. An open-source, 3D printable robotic hand, filling the need for affordable, customizable prosthetics.

And third place went to ProGlove, a tool to help manufacturing professionals to analyze and augment their work (while looking cool).

There is still time to vote for the fan favorite at votemakeitwearable.com. Maybe you love one of the top three, but the other seven finalists are well worth checking out:

Wristify

A bracelet that warms or cools the wearer through hyper-localized temperature control. This was originally a student project from MIT – great to see it being taken way beyond a prototype: watch the video.

Snow Cookie

A ski-monitor to mount on your skis and synch with your phone for real-time ski coaching. Ski bunnies will go nuts for this: watch the video.

Blocks

A modular, configurable smart watch where the user chooses between different functionality to build his or her own system. Very clever snap system based on 3.5mm headphone jacks: watch the video.

Babyguard

Baby monitor system for both pre- and postnatal baby monitoring. Super-cute interface design: watch the video.

First V1sion

First person action sports camera integrated into athlete’s clothing. Great way to capture those thrilling sports moments: watch the video.

Arc Pendant

Navigation necklace and remote control for your life. A refreshing move away from the wrist: watch the video.

BabyBe

A way for mothers and premature babies to communicate and bond through soft tech. Really nice example of technology filling a very human need: watch the video.

November 4, 2014 0 comment

Fashion

Jennifer Crupi’s Gesture Jewelery

written by Meg

A few weeks ago, I discovered the wonderful work of Jennifer Crupi while visiting the San Francisco Museum of Craft and Design.

Part prosthesis, part fine jewelery, the collection hits a sweet-spot between art, craftsmanship, and critical design.

Ornamental Hands: Figure One (shown worn). Photo: Christian Luis

The Ornamental Hands series treats the hands themselves as jewels, set in sterling silver in delicate, lady-like positions. The wearer is trained to daintily bend her thumb or raise her pinky finger – a wonderful juxtaposition between the lady-like gestures and the rigid, surgical qualities of the jewelery.

Ornamental Hands: Figure Three (shown worn). Photo: Christian Luis

Already an established artist, Jennifer Crupi’s work is well-researched and thoughtfully presented in the exhibition. Figure Three of the Ornamental Hands series is shown above below being worn. The photo below is the display stand for the same piece with historical illustrations showing examples of the gesture. The contrast between the delicate gesture and the hard metal instrument is emphasized and reminds us of the strict social norms that frequently dictate body language.

Ornamental Hands: Figure Three. Photo: Jennifer Crupi

The whole series examines all kinds of body language, not just hand gestures. The collection includes full body-jewelery aids and instruments, e.g., the Posture Gauge – Chin which mechanically measures the wearer’s position on a scale between introvert and extrovert.

Posture Gauge Chin: Introverted/Extroverted scale (shown worn). Photo: Anibal Pella

Head on over to Jennifer’s website, www.jennifercrupi.com to see the whole range of work. Or if you’re in San Francisco before the end of the exhibition on 5 October 2014, be sure to catch Jennifer Crupi: A Display of Gestures at the SF Museum of Craft and Design.

August 25, 2014 0 comment

Fashion

Energy Addicts Asks: How Far Will You Go?

written by Meg

Naomi Kizhner‘s critical design work Energy Addicts is a collection of three parasitic jewelery pieces that harvest energy from the wearer’s body.

The E-pulse Conductor harvests electrical pulse energy from the spine. Photo: Shahar Tamir

Designed to start a conversation about how far we are willing to go to fill our need for energy, the pieces are intended to be invasive and provocative.

Blood Bridge attaches to the wearer via two hypodermic needles that allow the blood to flow past a “water wheel” to create power. Photo: Shahar Tamir

The combination of thought-provoking concept, beautiful design and well-crafted execution ticks all the boxes for me.

Blinker harvests energy from blinking eyelids. Photo: Shahar Tamir

Naomi Kizhner’s created the work as part of her graduation project at Jerusalem’s Hadassah College.

Via: Dezeen

August 10, 2014 0 comment

Wearables UX

Temporary NFC Tattoo

written by Meg

A lot of the exciting “future is now” stuff we see online these days comes with the caveat that it currently only exists in a secret underground university laboratory. Unfortunately, like generations of humans before us, we too must wait for the future.

That’s why I’m pretty excited to see the Motorola + VivaLnk digital tattoo project available to buy for a buck (US) each (in packs of ten) and ready to roll:

Photo: Motorola

And here’s how it works:

What’s that, I hear you say? Their marketing says it takes the average user 2.3 seconds to access their phone and we do this approximately 39 times a day? But you know MATH so you’ve figured out that it will only save about 90 seconds per day of your precious time. Quit your whining and welcome to the future, baby.

July 29, 2014 0 comment

DIY

eTextile Exhibition at Summer Camp 2014

written by Meg

If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in the tiny French village of Poncé-sur-le-Loir from 28-31 July, you are in for an e-textile treat! As part of the eTextile Summer Camp 2014, there will be an exhibition showcasing some of the work of the participants.

Yellow things, 3D printed textile-friendly component holders by Contrechoc. Photo: Contrechoc

The Summer Camp exhibition at Paillard Contemporary Arts Centre will host a wide range of work, from academically funded research to artistic collaborations and DIY explorations.

The Crying Dress by Kobakant. Photo: Kobakant

Some works are completely new and will be shown for the first time, while some of them will be more familiar. Definitely some of the most interesting e-textile explorations from the past few years will be on display, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch the creators as well. A full list can be found here: http://etextile-summercamp.org/2014/exhibition/

Digital Lace by Sarah Taylor and Sarah Robertson. Photo: Sarahs Taylor and Robertson

Paillard Art Centre is about 2 hours drive south-west of Paris and its relatively isolated location lends is a special atmosphere where you’ll be able to see some of these works in an intimate setting.

The Human Harp by Di Mainstone with Becky Stewart. Photo: Becky Stewart

The exhibition will open on the evening of 28 July and run only until 31 July, so get it while it lasts!

July 25, 2014 0 comment

Materials

Textile Prints Made With Cabbage Dye and Electricity

written by Meg

Cindy Strobach uses red cabbage dye and electrical household appliances to create fascinating colorful printed textiles. She created the work for her Final Show project at London’s Royal College of Art.

Photo: Cindy Strobach

Part of a larger exploration into the invisible phenomena of our everyday environment, the Electro Colour series reveals the hidden lives of two electrical appliances, a speaker and a toaster. Working with water electrolysis, which changes the water’s acidity level depending on its proximity to positive or negative electrodes, she uses red cabbage dye on silk as a pH indicator. This allows us to see the acidic and alkaline properties of the process as colored patterns.

Look familiar? It’s the inside of a toaster. Photo: Cindy Strobach

There’s so much to like about this work – on one level the pieces can be appreciated as aesthetically-pleasing and well-crafted. Conceptually, there is a kind of communication between the artist and the lowly devices that inhabit her home. The more poetic among us might say she give the appliances a voice, but personally, I’m above all delighted by the beautiful science-demo aspect of the work.

If you like this work as much as I do and you’re in London, you have a few more days to catch the exhibition, which runs until 29 June 2014 at the London College of Art.

June 26, 2014 0 comment

DIY

Wearable sculpture critiques online privacy

written by Meg

Both stylish and provocative, x.pose is a “wearable data-driven sculpture” that makes us think twice about how much we reveal about ourselves online. The work is Xuedi Chen’s ITP Thesis 2014, but is made in collaboration with interaction designer and programmer, Pedro Oliveira.

Photo: Roy Rochlin

x.pose is a 3D printed mesh structure framing Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) panels that change opacity to expose more or less of the wearer’s skin. The opacity is controlled via the wearer’s smartphone and reacts to how much private data is being shared. It’s a great example of New Aesthetic, where the digital world leaks into the physical.

Linked via Bluetooth to the wearer’s smartphone, the garment displays how much private data (geolocation, etc) the wearer is sharing. Each part of the sculpture represents a different geographical location, which becomes more and more transparent as more data is exposed.

Not only is this piece both conceptually sound and a technical achievement, it’s accompanied by a well-presented overview on Behance in case you want to dive a bit deeper into the project and process.

June 13, 2014 0 comment