Fashioning Circuits (Undergrad)

These materials are from Fall 2014. I previously taught this course in Fall 2013 and supervised many independent studies on this topic Fall 2011 – Spring 2013.

Syllabus

Fashioning Circuits

EMAC 3328: Digital Society

Fall 2014

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor.

Course Information

Meets: W 10am – 12:45am
Location: ATC 2.918
Credit Hours: 3

Contact Information

  • Instructor: Kim Knight
    • Email (preferred method of contact): kim.knight@utdallas.edu
    • Twitter: @purplekimchi No DMs, please.
    • Phone: 972-883-4346. No voicemail, please.
    • Office: ATC 1.903 (East wing, near silver elevators)
  • Student Worker: Santosh
    • Email: sxv143630@utdallas.edu
    • Twitter: @sandybones (No Direct Messages)

Office Hours:

  • Kim’s office hours
  • Drop in hours at the lab (ATC 3.705) with Santosh
    • Mondays 4:30 – 6:30pm
    • Tuesdays 4:30pm – 6:30pm
    • Wednesdays 2pm – 3:30pm
    • Thursdays 3pm – 5pm
    • Fridays 11am – 1pm

Course website: http://fashioningcircuits.com
Twitter tag: #fashioningcircuits
Fashioning Circuits Github organization: https://github.com/organizations/fashioning-circuits
Course wiki: http://fashioningcircuits.pbworks.com

Course Description

One of the increasingly ubiquitous features of “digital society” is wearable media. In thinking about the relationship between the things we wear and the things that compute, fashion and emerging media have more in common than one might think. Both are constantly in flux and looking forward. Both are sites to negotiate and express identity. Both value originality, but also thrive on collaboration and appropriation. And of course, the two are explicitly combined in the realm of wearable media. We will begin with a brief look at the history of fashion and its historical intersections with media and technology. We will then explore more contemporary areas of intersection centered on issues of identity and globalization. The final portion of the semester will be devoted to “learning by doing” in the production of socially-engaged and critically-informed wearable media projects. No sewing, electronics, or coding experience is necessary.

Course Goals

In this course, students will:

  • Become familiar with the basic social and ethical issues that connect fashion and emerging media.
  • Write critical analysis of fashion and media theories and practices.
  • Become familiar with the basic concepts of electronic circuitry, wearable arduino hardware, and the Arduino programming language. No prior experience needed.
  • Become familiar with the basic concepts of machine sewing. No prior experience needed.

Required Textbooks and Materials

  • Rebecca Arnold Fashion: A Very Short Introduction ISBN 978-0199547906
  • Tony Olsson, David Gaetano, Samson Wiklund, Jonas Odhner, OpenSoftwear
    • 1st edition available as a free download at http://softwear.cc/book/files/Open_Softwear-beta090712.pdf
  • All items from the following wishlist:
    • https://www.sparkfun.com/wish_lists/64326
      • SparkFun is going to provide a 10% off coupon with a mid-September expiration date. The coupon code will be distributed in class.
      • Substitute any led color of your choice. Avoid micro-leds as those will require extra resistors. Be aware that the purple leds are very faint.
      • This is all of the electronic components you will need for your first wearable media project and all hands-on exercises. You may also be able to use much of this in your final project, particularly the Lilypad Simple board. However, you may need to purchase additional supplies to realize your vision.
  • Fabric and other sewing materials, TBD

Various chapters and essays, available online or through course reserve.  The username for protected downloads on kimknight.com is “emac3328” and the password is “”.

You will also need the following:

  • a UTD email account (that you check at least once per day)
  • a public Twitter account http://twitter.com
  • a GitHub account http://github.com
  • an account on the course wiki http://fashioningcircuits.pbworks.com

Recommended Textbooks and Materials

  • Banzi, Massimo. Getting Started with Arduino. ISBN 978-0-596-15551-3
  • Michael Margolis, Arduino Cookbook ISBN 1449313876
    • the library has two electronic copies of this book

Course Policies

Attendance:

It is important that you come to our meetings prepared and on time. To be “prepared” means that you have thoughtfully engaged with the reading and are prepared to discuss it, and that you have done any creative pre-work necessary.  Bring questions, comments, observations, disagreements, examples, etc.

Because your presence is important, absences can negatively affect your grade. I do not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences. You are allowed to miss one class (1 week of class), for whatever reason, with no effect on your participation grade. Two or more absences will negatively impact your participation grade. Four or more absences (i.e. missing one month of class) will, in most cases, result in a failing participation grade. Eight or more absences (missing two months of class) will, in most cases, result in a failing course grade.

Absences for religious purposes do not count against the permitted number (as long as at least two weeks notification is given). Lateness is also unacceptable; if you arrive more than thirty minutes late you will be marked as absent. Leaving more than 30 minutes early also counts as an absence. In addition, please try to be as fully present and engaged as possible – silence cell phones, don’t send or receive texts or emails, etc.  Excessive distraction may be counted as an absence.

Accommodation:

If you would like to request accommodation due to a disability, please let me know as soon as possible.  The disability must be documented with the Office of Student AccessAbility at UTD.

Online Due Dates:

All online assignments are due by 11:59pm on the date listed, unless otherwise noted.

Late work:

Late work will not be accepted for Participation and the Cool Hunting assignment. It is your responsibility to complete your work early enough to allow time for any technical difficulties. On the wearable projects and exams, late work may be accepted but will incur a penalty. Check each assignment sheet for details.

Respectful behavior:

This class asks students to engage in many activities that are atypical of a Humanities college course. Even lighthearted teasing can affect someone’s confidence in these types of new assignments. We should all work together to create a classroom environment in which everyone feels safe and supported in these endeavors. In addition, our many discussions and online assignments will require vigilance to ensure that we are always preserving an atmosphere of mutual respect. Disagreements may arise and consensus may not be possible. Name calling, harassment, or menacing behavior will not be tolerated.

Online identity:

This class asks students to participate in publicly accessible blogs and other forms of public writing. Writing in public has several advantages for student learning. It creates a closer analogue to offline environments, and allows for the creation of writing that is designed to be shared with an audience beyond the instructor. It also allows students to learn from each other. However, some students may have legitimate privacy concerns about participating in publicly accessible assignments. These students may choose to participate in public assignments under a pseudonym, or assumed name. If you wish to request this accommodation for any reason, please contact me immediately.

Academic Honesty:

From the UT-D Handbook of Operating Procedures: “The university expects from its students a high level of responsibility with respect to academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends on the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student maintain a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work. The dean may initiate disciplinary proceedings under subchapter C against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty upon complaint by a faculty member or a student.” (http://www.utdallas.edu/dept/graddean/gsPolDishonesty.htm)

Academic dishonesty will be reported to the office of the Dean of Students and may result in  disciplinary action by the university. If you have any questions regarding the proper use of outside sources or the distinction between sampling and plagiarism, I encourage you to meet with me.

University Policies: Please visit http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies for the University’s policies regarding all courses.

Course Requirements and Grading Policy

Grading Scale:

A Range: Excellent. All work is thought-provoking and well-executed. B Range: Above Average. Most work is thought-provoking and well-executed. C Range: Average. Most work is  well-executed. D Range: Poor. Work is often neither thought-provoking, nor well-executed. F Range:
Failing.
Work fails to meet college standards.
A, A- B+, B, B- C+, C, C- D+, D, D- F

Assignments:

Participation – 30%

Participation includes attendance, in-class and online discussion, in-class reading quizzes, homework assignments, office hours visits, and sharing resources via Twitter. At least two one* office hours visits (during drop ins or by appointment) are required – one prior to the midterm and another after you turn in your final project proposal and no later than Nov 5.  The second office hours visit requirement has been eliminated. I will check in with each of you every week during the workshop.

Wearable Project 1 – 10%

Students will work individually to create a small-scale wearable media project from a pattern. The goal is to foster familiarity with electronics and sewing. Students will be evaluated on their willingness to engage in the process and the successful execution of the project.

Sewing & Electronics Exam – 10%

This exam will cover the basics of electronic circuitry and machine sewing.

Arduino Exam – 10%

This exam will cover basic Arduino concepts related to sensors, actuators, and basic code.

Cool Hunting – 10%

To facilitate familiarity with the field and help seed ideas for the final project, students will blog approximately 300 words describing and critically analyzing a wearable media object (art piece, consumer product, or DIY project). Students will add their blog to the Fashioning Circuits wiki and give a 7 – 10 minute presentation in which they summarize the object and their analysis.

Final Wearable Project  – 30%

Students will work individually or in groups to create a larger-scale, final wearable media project. The goal with this project is to move beyond basic familiarity and produce a project that draws upon our readings and attempts to make an intellectual statement or social intervention, or solve a problem. Students will be evaluated on the idea, execution, and relationship between form and idea. The final project will include a proposal and a short paper.

General Requirements:

This class involves a lot of theoretical reading.  My hope is that you will apply the ideas from that reading to the world around you. You will be most successful in this class if you are able to have an open mind and take a critical approach to our topics.  Please note that being “critical” does not necessarily mean being negative, but it does mean that you are willing to question assumptions and explore the implications of the seemingly mundane and minute aspects of contemporary media culture.  Openness to experimentation and play and a willingness to try and fail are critical to the study of emerging media.  In short, in this class we will be enacting some of the very changes we are studying – collaborative learning, alternative models of scholarship, etc.

Schedule

Week 1: Wednesday, August 27, Introduction

  • In Class
  • Reading
    • Open Softwear Ch 3 “Software” and Ch 4 “Using the IDE” (in class)
  • Lilypad Rapid Prototyping Workshop
  • Syllabus Scavenger Hunt

Week 2 – September 3 Defining Fashion, Clothing, and Cool

Week 3 – September 10 History of Fashion

  • Before Class
    • Discussion Reading
      • Arnold, Rebecca. Fashion: A Very Short Introduction
        • Introduction, Ch 1, 3, 5, Conclusion (75 tiny pps)
    • Tech Reading
      • All About Circuits, Volume 1 DC Ch 1, Ch 2 (through and including “resistors”), Ch 3
      • Open Softwear, pps 76 – 82, 94 – 97
        • Basic structure, variables, void setup, void loop, brackets, semicolons, commenting code, variable types and declarations, the digital pins, the analog pins
  • In Class
    • Workshop: repeat lilypad rapid prototyping or basic circuit exercise; use a multi-meter
      • concepts: Voltage, amperes, resistance, Ohm’s Law
    • Cool hunting report(s)
      • Ethan
      • Managing Editor: Kim kim.knight@utdallas.edu

Week 4 – September 17 Wearable Project One Workshop

  • In-class:
    • Workshop:
      • introduction to the sewing machines and fabric preparation; parts of the machine; threading the machine; seating the bobbin; raising / lowering the needle; stitch selection; Sewing tools, cutting fabric
    • Wearable Project One: through gluing down components
    • Cool hunting report
      • Kristen
      • Managing Editor: Amanda aks140130 at utdallas dot edu

Week 5 – September 24 Wearable Project One Workshop

 Week 6 – October 1 Fashion and Embodied Identity

Week 7 – October 8 Embodied Identity and Global Production

Week 8 – October 15 Cybercouture

Week 9 – October 22 Fashion Blogs and Videos

  • Before Class
    • Discussion Readings
      • Browse all of the following
      • Zing Tsjeng, “Is First Kiss the Most Successful Fashion Film Ever?”
        • http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/19226/1/is-first-kiss-the-most-successful-viral-fashion-film-ever-made
      • McQuarrie, Miller, and Phillips, “The Megaphone Effect: Taste and Audience in Fashion Blogging” in Journal of Consumer Research Vol 40. No 1 June 2013 (18 pps)
        • access through UT Dallas library website
      • Search for makeup, diy clothing, fashion, or cosplay tutorials on YouTube
        • Tweet a link to one to share and discuss with the class
    • Tech Readings
      • OpenSoftwear Ch 9, section “Types” pps 82 – 85 (4 pps)
      • OpenSoftwear Ch 6 “Using Analog Pins” (8 pps)
  • In Class
    • Workshop analog sensors and serial monitor
      • concepts: variable types, serial.print, serial.println, if / else statements
    • Cool hunting report(s)
      • Justin
      • Jade
      • Managing Editor:
        • Lesley (Justin) lah120030 at utdallas dot edu
        • Ariana (Jade) axb115930 at utdallas dot edu

Week 10 – October 29 Apps & Networked Fashion

Week 11 – Nov 5 Smart Textiles

  • Before Class
    • Discussion Reading
  • In Class
    • Arduino Exam
    • Cool hunting report(s)
      • Travis
      • Managing Editor: Luke lxb124130 at utdallas dot edu

Week 12 – Nov 12 Final Project Workshop

  • In Class
    • Cool hunting report(s)
      • Cari
      • Nilufer
      • Managing Editor:
        • Jenna (Cari) jel130330 at utdallas dot edu
        • Christopher (Nilufer) cgl140130 at utdallas dot edu

Week 13 – Nov 19 Final Project Workshop

  • In Class
    • Cool hunting report(s)
      • Porche
      • Pablo
      • Managing Editor:
        • Patrick (Porche) pxe120030 at utdallas dot edu
        • Bailey (Pablo)  bjb140330 at utdallas dot edu

Nov 24 – 29: Fall Break

Week 14 Dec 3 Final Project Workshop

  • In Class
    • Cool hunting report(s)
      • Jonathan (his birthday!)
      • Managing Editor: Kim kim.knight@utdallas.edu

Week 15: Dec 10 Final Project Due

  • Before Class
    • Blog post due
  • In Class
    • Presentation of projects
    • Exit survey

Assignments

Participation

EMAC 3328: Digital Society
Fall 2014
Fashioning Circuits
Participation Assignment Sheet

Purpose

  • To involve students in active processes of learning in conjunction with course goals

Overview

Forget the model of education you see in the movies where a brilliant professor lectures from a podium and students scribble away furiously in their notebooks. Research evidence suggests that students learn better and retain more information when they are actively involved in the process of learning.

My classroom philosophy is that I am a coach, there to guide you through these active processes. I very seldom lecture and most of our class meetings will involve whole class discussion. And this will lead to some of the most valuable take-away from this course, in class and online. However, this means that your participation is necessary for our success. It is important that you participate in every class meeting and that you share resources between classes.

Your participation grade includes in-class discussion, sharing resources via twitter, reading responses, attendance, in-class quizzes, and office hours visits.

The Requirements:

  • Do the reading. Take notes. Come to class prepared to discuss key ideas, vocabulary, questions, disagreements, examples, etc.
  • Be in class. Two or more absences will affect your grade, and in most cases, four or more absences will result in a failing participation grade, while eight or more will result in a failing course grade.
  • Arrive on time and stay for the duration of the class session. If you arrive more than 30 minutes late, you will be marked as absent. Leaving more than 30 minutes early also counts as an absence.
  • Pay attention. Silence cell phones. Don’t send or receive texts or emails. Stay off of Facebook unless it is part of an in-class activity. Use workshop time to test new tools. Excessive distraction may be counted as an absence.
  • Share information. If you see articles or tweets relevant to the class, tweet them with the hashtag.
  • You can use Twitter to supplement in-class discussion, but try not to over-rely on it.

Technical Specifications

You will need a public Twitter account so that all of your peers can see your tweets and your tweets are included in searches for the class hashtag. You do not have to use your real name in your Twitter account, but you do need to give me your Twitter handle.

Grading

Participation is worth 30% of your final grade.

The criteria for grading your work are:

Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs Improvement Failing
In-class discussion The student always contributes meaningful comments and ideas to class discussion*. The student may additionally contribute to discussion of readings via Twitter. The student consistently contributes comments and ideas to class discussion. Class discussion may be supplemented with in-class tweeting about the readings. The student often contributes comments and ideas to class discussion or supplements with Twitter discussion of readings. The student rarely contributes comments and ideas to class discussion and may over-rely on Twitter. The student never contributes to class discussion or in-class Twitter.
Sharing resources In addition to any reading related tweets, the student tweets three or more times a week outside of class to share information and ideas marked with the class hashtag. In addition to reading related tweets, the student tweets a few times a week outside of class with information and ideas marked with the class hashtag. In addition to reading related tweets, the student tweets at least once a week outside of class with information and ideas marked with the class hashtag. The student tweets less frequently than once per week outside of class with information and ideas marked with the class hashtag. The student never tweets information and ideas with the class hashtag.
Homework Assignments Homework assignments are completed on time and the student consistently draws connections between homework and other course materials. Homework assignments are completed on time and the student often draws connections between homework and other course materials. Homework assignments are completed on time and the student sometimes draws connections between homework and other course materials. Homework assignments may be late or the student may fail to connect them to other course materials. Homework assignments are often late or incomplete.

*Note: you do not always have to fully grasp the material to make meaningful comments. You may ask questions and make a good effort to understand.

Your participation grade will be negatively impacted if:

  • You have two or more absences.
  • You are consistently late or consistently leave early.
  • You are excessively distracted by other websites, your phone, etc.
  • You do not use workshop time effectively.
  • You do not complete two office hours visits (1 before midterm and another after you turn in your final project proposal and before Nov 5. You do not complete one office hours visit before midterm. The other required visit has been eliminated since I will be checking in with each of you every week during the workshop.
  • Your average score on the reading quizzes is fewer than three points.

Late Work: Work associated with participation may not be completed late.

Cool Hunting

EMAC 3328: Digital Society
Fall 2014 Fashioning Circuits
Cool Hunting Assignment Sheet

Purpose:

  • To identify new developments and trends in the intersection between fashion and emerging media.
  • To perform critical analysis of fashion and media theories and practices.
  • To write for an audience interested in the course topics.
  • To seed ideas for the final project.

Overview:

As we move through the semester, students will write blog posts and give presentations about interesting examples of wearable media and electronic fashion. These can be garments, gadgets, textiles, apps, blogs, and other intersections between emerging media and fashion. Our goal is not simply to report on new developments but to analyze new developments within their technological and social contexts. Questions to consider include, but are not limited to:

  • how might this shift social relations?
  • what possible consequences might the creators be neglecting? what are some alternate ways it can be used?
  • what does this have in common with previous trends or technologies? Are there any ways in which it is radically different?
  • for whom is it intended? who is left out?
  • does this reinforce any already problematic tendencies in fashion or emerging media?
  • does this allow access to a diverse range of people with different kinds of gender, sexual, racial, and class identities?
  • does this make the world a better place? why or why not?

Each week, different students will work with the week’s Managing Editor (from the grad class) to write and present cool hunting reports on one new development each.

Requirements:

  • Choose a topic from the list on the Fashioning Circuits wiki
    • http://fashioningcircuits.pbworks.com.
    • Other topics that have not previously covered on the blog may be pitched to the Managing Editor by the Sunday before your due date.
    • If you see a topic now that you would like to “claim,” place your name in parentheses next to it on the wiki list.
  • Write a minimum of 300 words of description and analysis of your wearable tech object. Keep in mind that you are writing for eventual blog publication.
    • cite at least one source from the course readings.
    • create a page for your cool hunting report on the Fashioning Circuits wiki by 10am on Wednesday. Put the page in the folder for the appropriate week.
      • Include any relevant images, video, or other media, but be sure to give attribution and use media according to the license.
      • Include the name you would like the editor to use for your byline.
      • Use language and a tone appropriate to an intelligent audience interested in developments in wearable media. Avoid being overly informal.
  • Give a 7-10 minute presentation that gives an overview of your topic and analysis.
  • The managing editor will read your post on the wiki and provide you with feedback by Friday at 11:59pm. You have until Sunday at 11:59pm to make any changes. Exemplary posts will be added to the Fashioning Circuits blog.
    • Though you will receive feedback from the Managing Editor, do not over-rely on them. Your grade will be determined based on the quality of your initial writing as well as any revisions made.

Grading Criteria

The cool hunting report is worth 10% of your course grade.

Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs Improvement Failing
Content The report is well-written and thought-provoking. The analysis deepens our understanding of wearable media and expertly addresses the “so what” question. The report is well-written and interesting. The analysis attempts to address the “so what” question. The report is well-written and the analysis is clearly connected to concepts from the course. The analysis indicates awareness of the “so what” question. The report may have a lot of errors or may fail to connect the object of analysis to ideas from the course. The report may have excessive errors or may be off topic.
Blog format The content is enhanced through use of the affordances of digital writing, such as visual media, tags, links, etc. All images and other materials are given proper attribution and used within the terms of their license. The content is supported through the use of the affordances of a digital writing, such as visual media, tags, links, etc. All images and other materials are given proper attribution and used within the terms of their license. The content is connected to the affordances of a digital writing, such as visual media, tags, links, etc. All images and other materials are given proper attribution and used within the terms of their license. The blog post may lack sufficient media and features that are part of digital writing, or they may be confusing or irrelevant. Images and other materials may not have attribution or may not be used according to their license. The student’s writing lacks any of the features of a blog post.
Presentation The presentation is dynamic and well-organized. The speaker clearly describes the development and helps the class understand the “so what” of the topic. The presentation is clear and engaging. The speaker clearly describes the development and addresses the “so what” of the topic. The presentation is clear and the speaker gestures toward the “so what” of the topic. The presentation may lack clarity or the student may neglect the “so what” of the topic. The presentation lacks clarity.

The following will detract from your grade:

  • Failure to meet minimum length requirements
  • Failure to format properly.
  • Failure to present the cool hunting report to the class.
  • Evidence of a lack of preparation for the presentation, including time management.

Timeline and Due Dates

  • Ongoing each week:
    • Wednesday, before 10am: post report to wiki
    • Wednesday, in class: presentation
    • Friday, Managing Editor posts feedback by 11:59pm
    • The following Sunday, before 11:59pm: make revisions based on feedback from the managing editor.

Wearable Project One

EMAC 3328: Digital Society
Fashioning Circuits
Fall 2014

Wearable Project One

Purpose:

  • To demonstrate proficiency in creating a soft circuit
  • To demonstrate proficiency with the sewing machine
  • To develop troubleshooting habits

For the first wearable media project of the semester, our ambitions are modest. As a class we will work to all create the same project – the twinkling wrist cuff.

Supplies needed:

  •  ¼ yard lightweight cotton fabric
  •  ¼ yard garment interfacing (NOT the “fusible” or iron-on type)
  •  2 buttons
  • Matching non-conductive thread
    • if you are working with colors other than black or white, you will also need a bobbin for the machine
  •  2 small fabric coated elastic hairbands
  •  Fabric glue
    • You don’t need an entire bottle. Consider teaming up with classmates to share.
  • Items from the SparkFun supply list
    • LilyTwinkle DEV 11364
    •  Lilypad coin cell battery holder – switched 20mm DEV 11285
    • Coin cell battery 20mm CR2032 PRT00338
    • 4 Lilypad LEDs
    •  Conductive thread DEV 10867
    •  Needle for hand sewing

Grading

Failing The student engages in troubleshooting and is able to articulate and address the cause of any issues.     The student engages in troubleshooting and is able to articulate or address the cause of any issues.   The student engages in troubleshooting but can neither articulate nor address the cause of any issues.    The student does not engage in troubleshooting.

Excellent Very Good Satisfactory Needs Improvement
Circuit All components are properly connected and stitching is neat and precise. The circuit lights up properly. All components are properly connected. There is no danger of loose thread shorting the circuit. The circuit lights up properly.  All components are properly connected. Any loose thread has been insulated. The circuit lights up properly. All components are properly connected. Loose threads may be in danger of touching. The circuit may not light up. Components may not be properly connected. Stitching is poorly done and the circuit may not light up.
Sewing All seams are neatly sewn and threads are trimmed. Buttons are firmly and neatly attached. The finished piece has neat appearance. All seams are neatly sewn and threads are trimmed. Buttons are well- attached. The finished piece has a uniform appearance. All seams are sewn shut and the finished piece has a mostly uniform appearance. Buttons are attached. Seams may be messy or unfinished. Buttons may be loose or may not be attached using the prescribed method. The finished appearance may be irregular.  Major seams are unfinished or the finished piece has a highly irregular appearance. Buttons may or may not be attached.
Troubleshooting The student engages in troubleshooting and is able to articulate and address the cause of any issues. The student engages in troubleshooting and is able to articulate or address the cause of any issues. The student engages in troubleshooting but can neither articulate nor address the cause of any issues. The student does not engage in troubleshooting.

Timeline and due dates:

  • In class workshops Sept 17 and 24.
  • Finished wrist cuff is due at the beginning of the class on Oct 1 (may require some take home work).
    • Turn in the finished wrist cuff in a quart size plastic bag that has your name written on it.

Late work:

Late wrist cuffs will be marked down one letter grade for each day or fraction thereof that they are late.

Final Project

EMAC 3328: Digital Society

Fashioning Circuits

Fall 2014

Wearable Project Two

Purpose

  • To solve a problem or make a statement about a social issue through wearable media
  • To gain experience in sewing, electronics, and coding
  • To engage in project design and communication

You completed the first wearable media project and, as a result, have had some practice in sewing and electronics. For the second wearable project, the goal is to increase the intellectual rigor and move into more complex conceptual territory. Your second project should address a problem or signify something social or cultural.

Requirements:

  • It must be wearable in some way (though this can include jewelry, bags, and hats)
  • It must involve some form of “making,” whether that is sewing, electronics, and/or coding.
  • The project should exhibit some complexity in design. This can be in components used, connection to external input, or the sewing and construction.
  • The project should exhibit some conceptual complexity in the problem or issue being addressed.
  • You can use the components of the LilyPad Protosnap kit or you may need to order additional supplies.
  • You may collaborate but the amount of work and complexity should reflect the size of your group.

Workflow

Wearable Project Two consists of four stages: proposal, production, blog post, and presentation.

Proposal:

To ensure that you have comprehensively planned your project, you are required to submit a detailed project proposal by end of day on Wednesday, October 15. The proposal should be added to the wiki or to the github organization.

The required sections of the proposal are:

  • Problem or Social Issue Being Addressed
  • Description of Wearable Object
    • What will it do?
    • For whom is it designed?
  • Design
    • What will it look like? Feel free to include photos, sketches, color palettes, etc.
    • How will it function? In other words, which components do or signify what?
  • Supplies List
  • Schedule
    • (Make a week by week schedule of what you will need to accomplish to realize your vision)
  • Anticipated Challenges / Areas of Concern
  • Questions for Kim
Production

You will receive feedback on your proposal. Once you receive this feedback, order your supplies and start working. You are encouraged to document your project at all stages with photos, videos, and notes.

Blog Post

In *one* blog post, include:

  • 300 word artist’s statement that describes your project and connects it to themes and readings from the class. This is your opportunity to talk about the “so what” of your project.
  • 300+ word tutorial that lists supplies and instructions in case anyone else would like to complete a similar project. Include photos or video.

Add your blog post to the wiki. Make sure to use all of the affordances of the blog format to support your writing, including at least one image of your finished project.

Presentation

Completed projects should be presented in class. Each student will have 8 minutes to present.

Timeline:

  • October 15 – Proposal due
  • October 22 – Receive feedback
  • November 3 – Supplies ordered
  • December 10 – Project and Reflection due and presented in class

Grading

The final wearable project is worth 30% of your grade.

Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs Improvement Failing
Concept The wearable project takes a novel approach to a problem or issue. The proposal is well conceived, well written, and on time. The wearable project is designed with some complexity to address a problem or make a statement about a social issue. The proposal is detailed, well written and on time. The wearable project is conceived to address a problem or make a statement about a social issue. The proposal is complete and on time. The wearable project may lack a clear connection to a problem or issue. The proposal may be late or lacking detail. The wearable project may lack complexity. The proposal may be late or incomplete.
Execution All components are well connected and the wearable object works as conceptualized. The appearance of the object successfully employs an aesthetic strategy. All components are well connected. The object works as conceptualized or the plan has been modified in a way that still supports the concept. The appearance of the object has an aesthetic strategy. All components are connected. The wearable object works. The appearance of the object has a mostly uniform appearance. Components may not be properly connected or the object may not have full functionality. The appearance of the object may be irregular. Components are missing or not connected. The appearance of the object may be highly irregular.
Troubleshooting The student engages in troubleshooting and is able to articulate and address the cause of any issues. The student engages in troubleshooting and is able to articulate or address the cause of any issues. The student engages in troubleshooting but can neither articulate nor address the cause of any issues. The student does not engage in troubleshooting.
Reflection The blog post is well written, fully describes the project, and relates the concept and execution to class themes or readings, including citations of multiple readings. Any challenges or failures are fully theorized and used as an opportunity for learning. The affordances of the blog format are used to enhance the writing. The blog post is well written and fully describes the project, including reference of at least one course reading. Challenges or failure are addressed in a meaningful way. The affordances of the blog format are used to support the writing. The blog post is clearly written and fully describes the project, including any challenges or failures. The post includes the affordances of the blog format. The blog post may have writing issues, lack details about the project, or neglect challenges or failures. The post may not include any of the affordances of the blog format. The blog post may be short of the minimum word count or may be poorly written. The blog post may not include any of the affordances of the blog format.

The following will negatively impact your grade:

  • Submitting items late, including your supply order
  • Failure to present your project to the class

Late Work:

  • Late proposals or supply orders will result in 1/3 of a letter grade deduction for each day, or fraction of a day, that they are late.
  • Late finished projects or reflection posts will result in the loss of one full letter grade for each day, or fraction of a day, that they are late.
  • Presentations may not be conducted late.

 

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