Teaching Wearable Technology: Bridging Humanistic and Design Pedagogies

This paper reflects on the outcomes and lessons learned from a wearable circuit class project that brought together students in two upper-division undergraduate and graduate level courses: Textiles, Technology and Culture and Experimental Apparel Design. The assignment included both individual and small group work. Each individual produced a machine-embroidered design motif and wearable LED circuit component inspired by a motif or symbol from a cultural region or historical era previously covered in Textiles, Technology and Culture. This component was then coordinated with those of peers, as well as integrated with a garment design created by a student in Experimental Apparel Design. The learning objectives for both courses included technical, design, and humanistic skill building, along with social and communication skills. Our objective was to combine design and humanities approaches and research methods in a project pushing the boundaries of the technical skills of the students.