Pocket experiments A week-long workshop about e-textiles with Hannah Perner-Wilson

From Swatches to Pockets is an introductory electronic textile workshop that draws upon the E-Textile Swatch Exchange as a means of acquiring knowledge and skill, as well as a source of inspiration for imagining pocket technology of the future.

The E-Textile Swatch Exchange is a platform for sharing physical work samples in the field of electronic textiles (E-Textiles). Each year individuals from the field submit a design that demonstrates an E-Textile technique that they have developed and refined. They produce multiples of their design so that everybody taking part in the exchange receives a complete book of swatches.

This workshop draws upon the 73 unique swatches that have been submitted to the exchange over the past 3 years. Workshop participants will study these swatches in depth by copying and modifying a selection of them. This process of replication is intended as a means of getting to know the materials and acquiring the knowledge and skill behind the techniques. The copied swatches will be collected and turned into a swatchbook of their own, wherein each swatch references it’s predecessor.

Besides functioning as an introduction to various e-textile sensors, actuators, connections and materials, the examples in the swatchbook will also be used as to inspire a series of projects which consider the application of e-textiles to pockets and pouches.

Digital technology has made its way onto our body by invading our pockets. Now that electronic textiles allow us to integrate electronic technology into the fabric of our clothing, what will happen? Will our pockets take on gadget functionality? Might they become obsolete? Or will we find new items that need a place on our bodies? What role will pockets play in a future where our technologies are textile? Let us look at the history of pockets, pouches and wearable technology, for hints at what might come next. [from Kobakant.at]

Musical Pockets

Students Pietro Alberti
Arthur Moscatelli

Description When you have to wait for your bus, you may start clapping on your pockets. In this project, your pockets are turned into musical ones. Put your hands inside to start a background music and drop some kicks by pressing different parts of the pocket.

Sweet Pocket

Students Charlotte Broccard
Stella Speziali

Description Sometimes you may be cold, or sad, or just in a bad mood. If you rub your upper arms, trying to give yourself some confort, this pocket will feel it and leave you a sweet inside, so you can discover it later and feel good again.

Record Pocket

Students Erika Marthins
Hélène Portier

Description In the near future, pockets won't be useful anymore. Your wallet, phone, papers will all be embodied in your clothes. In this world the pocket will just be an icon, a way to remember how one could keep things on him. This record pocket allows you to record a conversation by pressing them and putting your hands inside will play back the last recorded memory.

Fidget Pocket

Student Elise Migraine

Description At a time when there is a need for everyone to fidget one way or another, this pocket satisfies this need but also record how much you are fidgeting. A good way to track down your behaviour.

Keyper Pocket

Student Andrea Ramirez Aburto

Description At a time when there is a need for everyone to fidget one way or another, this pocket satisfies this need but also record how much you are fidgeting. A good way to track down your behaviour.

Unlock Pocket

Student Jean-Pablo Mühlstein

Description At a time when there is a need for everyone to fidget one way or another, this pocket satisfies this need but also record how much you are fidgeting. A good way to track down your behaviour.

Traffic Pocket

Student Aloïs Geiser

Description At a time when there is a need for everyone to fidget one way or another, this pocket satisfies this need but also record how much you are fidgeting. A good way to track down your behaviour.

Intimate Pockets

Students Salomé Chatriot
Mélanie Courtinat

Description Pockets are usually meant to be purely fonctionnal, but what if they were sensual as well ? These intimate pockets invites partners to touch each others in some unexpected areas of their body, trigerring a new kind of pleasure.

Visiting Lecturer Hannah Perner-Wilson

Assistant Romain Cazier