Wearable Tech Design
Twenty odd years trending and still we have few (if any) examples of truly integrated wearable technology examples that have reached market scalability. Most examples of wearable technology are akin to a cottage-industry handmade, bespoke and expressive, more couture than ready-to-wear, reminiscent of the pre-industrial revolution methods of production for textiles and clothing.
The challenges we had 20 years ago remain largely the same despite growing market interest in the area. But with new developments in rapid prototyping and e-textiles we are in a much better place today to address some of the major roadblocks in taking wearable technologies to scale and disrupting the current manufacturing infrastructure.
6. Despina Papadopoulos Wearable Tech Design - Spring 2016 ITP / NYU
Conceptual / Intellectual Arena * People * Need (Problem / Opportunity Space)
Material * Technology
references | research
7. Despina Papadopoulos Wearable Tech Design - Spring 2016 ITP / NYU
Conceptual / Intellectual Arena * People * Need (Problem / Opportunity Space)
Material * Technology
intuition / knowledge / collaboration
17. Despina Papadopoulos Wearable Tech Design - Spring 2016 ITP / NYU
After the division the two parts of man, each desiring
his other half, came together, and throwing their arms
about one another, entwined in mutual embraces,
longing to grow into one, they began to die from
hunger and self-neglect, because they did not like to do
anything apart; and when one of the halves died and
the other survived, the survivor sought another mate,
man or woman as we call them,--being the sections of
entire men or women,--and clung to that.
Thus they were being destroyed, when Zeus in pity
invented a new plan: he turned the parts of generation
round to the front, for this had not been always their
position, and they sowed the seed no longer as hitherto
like grasshoppers in the ground, but in one another;
and after the transposition the male generated in the
female in order that by the mutual embraces of man
and woman they might breed, and the race might
continue; or if man came to man they might be
satisfied, and rest, and go their ways to the business of
life. So ancient is the desire of one another which is
implanted in us, reuniting our original nature, seeking
to make one of two, and to heal the state of man.
27. Despina Papadopoulos Wearable Tech Design - Spring 2016 ITP / NYU
Instead, pitted against the military-industrial complex,
Playtex created the 21-layer spacesuit, each layer distinct
yet interrelated in function to the rest of the wholea
masterly combination of elegance, complexity, and form.
Where the military contractors created cybernetic, armor-
like suits (that failed, and failed again), Playtex's vision was
one of crucial softness, world class stitching, and perfect
design.Traditional engineering firms could not figure out
how to meet all the mission requirements and create a
functioning suit that would keep the Apollo astronauts
alive.The seamstresses at Playtex, with their years of
experience fashioning girdles and bras, could, and did.
28. Despina Papadopoulos Wearable Tech Design - Spring 2016 ITP / NYU
Instead, pitted against the military-
industrial complex, Playtex created
the 21-layer spacesuit, each layer
distinct yet interrelated in function
to the rest of the wholea masterly
combination of elegance, complexity,
and form. Where the military
contractors created cybernetic,
armor-like suits (that failed, and
failed again), Playtex's vision was
one of crucial softness, world class
stitching, and perfect design.
Traditional engineering firms could
not figure out how to meet all the
mission requirements and create a
functioning suit that would keep the
Apollo astronauts alive.The
seamstresses at Playtex, with their
years of experience fashioning
girdles and bras, could, and did.
The seamstresses at Playtex had a distinct advantage of
their military competitorsthey knew how to design for
the human body. Courtesy ILC, Dover, LP
29. Despina Papadopoulos Wearable Tech Design - Spring 2016 ITP / NYU
OPPORTUNITY / NEED:
One in three people over 65 falls at least once every year.
Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and
nonfatal injuries.
Arthritis is the leading chronic condition reported by older adults.
For those 65 and over, 15% reported neck pain in the past 3
months, and 32% reported lower back pain.
Diminished night vision is one of the most common problems
of the aging eye.
Innovations in design, performance materials and technology
can be used to address these common challenges.
53. Despina Papadopoulos Wearable Tech Design - Spring 2016 ITP / NYU
Timeline
Jan 25 Feb 1 Feb 8
concept development - design principles - requirements
54. Despina Papadopoulos Wearable Tech Design - Spring 2016 ITP / NYU
Timeline
Jan 25 Feb 1 Feb 8 Feb 22
concept development - design principles - requirements speci鍖cations
56. Despina Papadopoulos Wearable Tech Design - Spring 2016 ITP / NYU
Assignment(s)
Give form to your idea
Create an object that captures the
essence of your idea (seed)
Portray your ideal context of use
(environment)
57. Despina Papadopoulos Wearable Tech Design - Spring 2016 ITP / NYU
Readings
http://gtubicomp2014.pbworks.com/w/鍖le/fetch/73570376/designForWearability_gemperle.pdf
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/designing-the-human-body-is-becoming-more-of-a-
reality-1.3129865
http://www.core77.com/posts/31264/Design-for-All-Life
http://www.fastcodesign.com/1671960/why-the-human-body-will-be-the-next-computer-
interface
58. Despina Papadopoulos Wearable Tech Design - Spring 2016 ITP / NYU
thank you
Despina Papadopoulos
despina@principled-design.com
www.principled-design.com
www.wwaadvisors.com
@changemodel