DEA 6040

Future Body Craft: Fabricating On-Skin Interfaces

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2022-2023.

This course explores the intersectional field of Hybrid Body Craft, which applies design, engineering, and social science research for hybridizing emerging slim technology with body decoration practices. Examined through the lens of on-skin interfaces (i.e., smart tattoos and bandages) and electronic textiles in Human-Computer Interaction and Wearable Computing, students will develop prototyping skills in soft circuitry through tailored hands-on labs developed by the Hybrid Body Lab and critically reflect on representative papers in the field through readings and discussions. The skills students develop in the course will cumulate in the prototyping and design of a final project: a Future Body Craft of their choice.

When Offered Fall.

Fees Course fee: $280 for on-skin interface prototyping kit.
Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: DEA 2730, DEA 3510/DEA 6510 or DEA 4700/DEA 6700.

Comments To be considered for enrollment, you must fill out course enrollment survey: https://forms.gle/hRzurg2LTJypB2UVA and come to first class.

• Comprehend disciplines and fields: Develop an understanding of the state-of-the-art research in on-skin interfaces in Human-Computer Interaction and Wearable Computing.
• Apply multi-disciplinary perspectives: Identify and examine the relationship between design, technology, and the social sciences in conducting on-skin interface research.
• Think critically: Critique existing research, identify gaps in current investigations, pinpoint opportunities for future work.
• Innovate in research and design: Ideate, prototype, and build on-body interface projects in both individual and group settings.
• Write, speak and use visual communications effectively: Disseminate project results through verbal presentations, paper writeup, video production, and image representation.

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