Teaching

Syllabus

ITP Summer 2008
Monday/Wednesday 3:15PM-6:10PM
Instructor: Kate Hartman – katehartman[at]nyu[dot]edu
Office Hours: https://itp.nyu.edu/inwiki/Signup/Kate


Goal: Investigate and document materials and techniques for soft and flexible circuits.

Description:

Have you ever snuggled with a circuit? Standard electronic components can be hard, brittle and unfriendly. They are often unwelcome additions to soft environments like clothing, toys, tapestries or furniture. Materials such as conductive fabric and thread open up new possibilities for tactile electronics. This class provides an in-depth investigation of materials and construction techniques for creating soft and flexible circuits. There are no prerequisites – introductory electronics and sewing techniques will be reviewed. To begin, we survey both basic (conductive fabric and thread) and advanced (Luminex, etc.) materials that are on the market, assessing where to get them, how to use them, and where their potential lies. We then investigate fresh applications for commonly available materials, such as organza, steel wool, and metallic threads. Students choose a material to explore on a deeper level, defining its electrical and physical capabilities and documenting their research as part of an online reference project. In addition, discussion is devoted to outstanding needs and students are encouraged to imagine and develop materials that are entirely new. Now we’re ready to put our knowledge of materials to work. We explore construction methods and connectors for successfully integrating soft materials with standard components, learning how to create circuits that are flexible, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. Also covered are techniques for power management and insulation, wash and durability testing, laser cut fabric circuits and the Arduino Lilypad environment. Students produce a final project, creating pliable artifacts that are ground-breaking in both construction and concept.

Schedule (topics subject to change):

May 19: Introduction: History/Context/Theory
May 21: Intro to Electronics, Intro to Sewing, Starting with Soft Circuits

May 26: Memorial Day – No class!
May 28: Conductive Fabric, Conductive Thread, Homemade Soft Switches
May 30: Connectors, Iron-On Circuits, Machine Sewing

June 2: Insulation, Guest Speaker: Andrew Schneider
June 4: Laser Cut Fabric Circuits, Circuit Diagrams, Batteries & Power Management

June 9: Midterm Presentations, Advanced Materials
June 11: Field trip to Material Connexion

June 16: Analog Sensors / Variable Resistors, Durability/Washability Tests, Guest Speaker: Joo Youn Paek
June 18: Logic: Lilipad and other microcontroller solutions

June 23: Final Project Workshop
June 25: Final Project Presentations


Journal & Documentation:

Throughout the duration of the class, you will be making short, rapid posts to the class Tumblr blog about what you make, what you’re reading, and the resources you find. Sharing information is extremely valuable as it allows us to both be inspired by each other and to avoid repeating each others work. Final documentation will take the form of Material and Technique Reports (similar to the existing sensor reports) posted on a wiki that will act as a knowledge base for ITP community members.

Participation & Attendance:

Be present, prompt, and prepared. Your attendance and timeliness affect your grade. Class begins 3:15PM sharp, so plan to arrive at ITP early so you have time to set up and settle in. Try to avoid missing any classes – this course is 12 sessions, 2 less than ITP semester classes, so we will be moving briskly though a large amount of material. If you MUST miss a class, let me know well in advance. If you have an emergency, please let me know as soon as you can afterward.

Grading:

Participation & Attendance: 10%
Minor Assignments: 20%
Material/Technique Report: 20%
Documentation: 20%
Final Project: 30%

Laptops and Cellphones:

Cellphones should be off when you enter the room. Please keep them tucked away during class.
Computers may be used for quick reference, when presenting, or for taking notes. They may NOT be open during discussions or when a fellow classmate is speaking. If using your computer, please keep your activities restricted to that which relates to the class- all chats, email, and other work should be closed. If it inhibits your ability to participate in conversation, please take notes on paper and keep the lid closed.

Resources:

Mailing list will be used for questions, organizing group orders, etc.

Tumblr will be used to post project updates, finds, resources, etc.