Location: Interface Cultures, Kunstuniversitat Linz, Austria
Time: 31th May,1st, 2nd June, 2010, 10-17h

This workshop introduces interaction and physical interface design topics through hans-on projects. Students are asked to plan a game, inspired by words describing physical actions, and develop original physical interfaces for the planned games.

Four groups were formed during the workshop to work together. Each group picked 3 action keywords and started the game concept using these key words. Conductive fabrics, threads and some hand crafting techniques were introduced to support the realization of the planned interface. Participants are challenged to create a game strategy and interface, as well as to learn basic electronics, programming and handcrafting skills.

Outcome Projects:

Thumb Fu!

Tim Devine
Vasela Mihaylova
Project website >> http://timdevine.net/thumb-fu/

Thumb Fu! is super enhanced thumb wrestling.
We use conductive fabric and thread to create thumb suits. When the characters touch sound effects are triggered. If somebody is pinned down a countdown begins and then a winning fanfare is played.

Gorilla Chest Drummer

Mark Mühlberger
Anca Stirbacu
Henning Schulze
project website >> http://minuteman.mur.at/?p=54

A simple game in which two players with hairy gorilla chest bras face each other and drum their chests to charge their Gorilla-Vigor-Meter™. When it is fully charged – three LEDs will glow, the player is able to hit the other player on his shoulder and score a point. The player who scorse three times first wins.

Hug Me

Myrssini Antoniou
Hugo Camargo
Bager Akbay

The Sounds of The Flying Strings

Ana Cigon
David Brunnthaler
Project website >> http://blog.i-am-alive.at/2010/06/08/the-sounds-of-the-flying-strings/

By throwing a paper plane towards the area of where conductive strings are hanging you trigger a part of a song. After hitting all four strings at least once you can hear the old melancholic song ”Fly me to the moon” by Frank Sinatra.

more pictures on flickr

Books mentioned in the course:
Homo Ludens
Man, Play, and Games
The Ambiguity of Play
Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals
Half-Real
Getting Started in Electronics
Electronic Sensor Circuits And Projects
The Art of Electronics Student Manual

Useful Links:
http://www.fashioningtech.com/
http://www.electroniccrafts.org/
http://www.talk2myshirt.com/blog/
http://www.burdastyle.com/
Lilypad introduction by Lear Buechley
Transistor circuits
Shopping Links:
www.sparkfun.com
lessemf.com
www.plugandwear.com