This free, open-source book teaches the fundamentals of integrating microcontrollers, electronics and coding into fashion and textile designs using the popular Arduino platform. It covers all aspects of getting started with wearable technology projects, from choosing hardware components to uploading finished programs. Examples explore utilizing digital and analog pins, programming inputs and outputs, handling sensor data, and controlling textile-integrated actuators.
Recommended for: Beginner to Intermediate readers interested in fashion and technology, particularly those looking to work with Arduino boards, conductive fabrics, and physical computing.
You will:
- Learn about the basics of Arduino boards, conductive fabrics, resistive thread, soft buttons, LEDs, and other materials and components used in the field of “softwear” (the intersection of software and wearable technology).
- Discover how to prototype and create interactive garments and accessories using these materials and components.
- Get an introduction to the “Open Softwear” book, which is a beta version that aims to provide guidance and support for students, teachers, and professionals working in this emerging field.
- Understand how to contribute to the development of the Open Softwear book by providing feedback, sharing projects, and helping with graphic design.
- Learn about the open-source and community-driven approach to the creation of the Open Softwear book and resources.
Detailed Overview
The book provides an in-depth overview of Arduino boards, shields, sensors, actuators and other essential electronic elements. It examines basic circuitry, input/output principles and interactions to build core physical computing skills. Step-by-step tutorials demonstrate creating everything from simple button-activated LEDs to more intricate sensor-triggered light shows or motor-controlled garments. Programming fundamentals like Arduino syntax, variables, conditional statements, functions and debugging are broken down clearly. Readers learn how to develop their own interactive prototypes based on sensing human gestures, movements or environmental changes. Integration with textiles is demonstrated through techniques like conductive embroidery. By merging technical topics with creative applications, the book aims to foster cross-pollination between engineering and design-based fields.
Citation and License
Olsson, T., Gaetano, D., Odhner, J., & Wiklund, S. (2008). Open softwear: Fashionable prototyping and wearable computing using the Arduino. Retrieved from http://softwear.cc/book/2011/open-softwear-2nd-edition/page/2/. Open source under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 License. The license can be viewed here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en
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