3

LENS

BUILDING FOR

our idea might be as complex as a

holographic computer on your head,

or as simple as an LED sewn into a

wristband. But because they all go on

the human body, all wearables face a

shared set of challenges. Designers

often solve these challenges in similar ways, and you

may notice underlying similarities between wearables

that seem very different at first glance.

One of the biggest challenges for wearable designers

is how to apply the rigid, flat materials of electronic

components to the fleshy, round surfaces of the human

body. Wearable designs generally avoid sharp edges and

pointy corners, for the comfort and safety of the wearer.

You can see this idea at work in both the rounded

corners of Microsoft’s HoloLens and the circular form

factor of the LilyPad Arduino. Rounded corners also

protect soft materials like fabric from snagging during

movement. Keep this in mind when selecting materials

and components for your wearable projects.

Wearables are often circular or tubular in form. This

is because the human body is basically made up of

cylindrical shapes – you can think of your arms, legs,

Y

FIVE TIPS FOR EVERY WEARABLE PROJECT

There’s a lot to consider when designing your wearable project. Whatever form

your project takes, these five tips will help you make something you’ll enjoy

wearing when you’ve finished building it:

• Don’t forget the on/off switch. If at all possible, include an on/off switch
  in your design, and make it accessible during wear. Resist the temptation
  to rely on removing and inserting batteries for power control. Ideally, you
  can switch your project off quicker than someone else can say, “Ouch,
  those lights are bright!”


• Put the battery where you can reach it. Like the power switch, keep your
  battery accessible. Often your battery will be the heaviest, bulkiest part
  of your project, and you’ll want to hide it, but don’t bury it too deeply. If
  you’re sporting your wearable for more than a few hours, chances are
  you’ll need to change the battery at some point. Bonus points if you can
  change it in public!


• Figure out how to clean it. Protect your hard work by ensuring that
  your project is cleanable in a practical manner. Some wearable

components are actually hand washable, but wash carefully and follow

manufacturer’s instructions. Another option is to make your electronic

circuit removable using hook and loop fasteners or snaps, and launder

the garment as you normally would. You can also wear a ‘laundry layer’,

something that can be easily washed, underneath your project. For rigid

accessories like headsets and helmets, spot clean the areas that touch

skin with alcohol-free baby wipes.

• Solder big projects. Sewn circuits are a great way to get started with
  wearable electronics, but be prepared for your imagination to outgrow
  the limitations of conductive thread. The resistance of conductive thread
  makes it unsuitable for long circuits, and complexity is easier to manage
  with insulated wire in different colours.


• Think about the wearer. When working with wearables, keep the wearer
  in mind. Make comfort your goal, and don’t build anything that puts their
  safety at risk. Keep circuits and batteries away from skin, and don’t
  impede vision or movement. Your wearable will look much better if the
  person wearing it is smiling!

torso, and even your fingers, as cylinders. Fitness

trackers, twinkle LED skirts, and VR headsets all loop

around the body in a circle, tube, or arc. In this sense,

the human body is a perfect fit for electronic circuits,

which are also loops. The challenge is how to make

an electrical loop that can open and close, stretch, or

bend around the human body. Think about this when

looking at consumer wearable gadgets – how do they

solve this challenge?

THE HUMAN BODY

Above

This Jawa costume

uses a LilyPad

Arduino to power the

glowing eyes.

WEARABLE TECH