Launch Weekend: High Five Gloves

A switch is something that enables or prevents the flow of electricity. It creates or breaks the physical connection of two conductors in a circuit. Switches can come in familiar forms: the toggle switch that controls the light in a room; the slide switch on the barrel of a classic flashlight; the blinking red “DO NOT TOUCH” button on the control panel of a failing intergalactic vessel. But switches can also be designed for less common scenarios: the twirl of a moustache; the meeting of eyes; the act of two bodies embracing. Regardless of form or application, the nature of a switch is to connect.

In this workshop we will build social switches - body-based switches that respond to a physical social interaction between to people. Using electronic components and conductive materials we will light up your high fives!

What you will learn:

• circuit building
• methods for working with unconventional conductive materials
• design considerations for wearable technology
• how to bring your high fives to the next level

You can download the slides here