Intro to Wearable Technology & Soft Circuits
When: Tuesday, November 29, 2011, 7-10pm
Instructors: Erin Lewis & Ken Leung
Price: $45 ($35 members)
About the workshop: Soft circuits are electronic circuits made wearable through the use of conductive thread and conductive fabric. In wearable electronics, circuitry design and application are made with the body in mind.
This workshop will introduce you to the world of wearable conductive materials as well as specific techniques for their application on the body. You will learn to construct soft analog components such as wearable switches, flex and force sensors, soft pressure matrices and even fuzzy, directional 'stroke' sensors. You will also learn to think about the body and its movements in an entirely different way: as a means to actuate electronics!
This workshop is great for crafters, makers, DIYers, electronic hobbyists, and anyone looking to include the dimension of the body and soft analog electronics into their projects.
About the instructors:
ERIN LEWIS is an emerging artist who is currently studying Integrated Media at OCAD University, with a minor in Wearable Technology. She works predominately with electronics and video in an installation setting. Erin has released video work with the National Film Board of Canada, exhibited work in Nuit Blanche, and conducted live video performances across Toronto and Europe. She enjoys grapes, kittens, and real-time data feeds.
KEN LEUNG is a multidisciplinary designer and artist residing in Toronto with strong interests in wearable technology, physical computing, and interface design. Ken's interactive work has been exhibited at Nuit Blanche, The Gladstone Hotel, and Harbourfront Center, and he is currently working with the Mobile Experience Lab and Social Body Lab at OCAD on various locative and wearables projects. Ken has a background in Psychology, computer programming, digital media, and Industrial design.
Intro to Lilypad Arduino
When: Tuesday, December 6, 2011, 7-10pm
Instructors: Erin Lewis & Ken Leung
Price: $45 ($35 members)
About the workshop: The Lilypad Arduino is a programmable microcontroller specially designed for use in wearable tech and e-textiles projects.
In this workshop, we will introduce you to the Lilypad and its suite of sensors and accessories, teach you how to interface the Lilypad with soft circuits, and guide you through the basics of writing Arduino code to add fun interactive behaviors to your wearables projects. Hands-on exercises and a variety of example projects will be used to explore the exciting possibilities of this technology.
Participants will be working with Lilypad Arduinos and a variety of other materials like LEDs and sensors. Participants can purchase a kit containing all these goodies at InterAccess and take it home with them following the workshop, or simply use materials that will be on hand. The kits can be purchased at cost from InterAccess for $50. Kits contain: an FTDI breakout board, a Lilypad Arduino, a mini USB cable, a button board, a bobbin of conductive thread, a light sensor, a battery holder and a selection of LEDs.