An e-textile workshop exploring the softer side of hard tech.

In March 2021, I taught a one-week remote workshop for the Graphic Design BA students at the Estonian Academy of Arts. In the context of the workshop, softness was considered both figuratively and literally: By learning about electronic textiles, wearable tech and interaction design, the students imagined and created soft technologies that might offer care, comfort and companionship, help with communication, or support physical and mental well-being.

During the week the students learned how to make simple electronic circuits, examined different aspects of human-technology interfaces, and produced their own interactive textile devices ranging from electronic sock puppets to gesture-controlled gloves.

Example soft circuits

Student work