Sanja Hrvačanin, Lovrenc Košenina, Ana Smerdu, Kristijan Tkalec

Friday Academy: ‘Biœ-interface’

The participants of this edition of the Friday Academy explored exactly what kind of data smart devices (smart phones, watches, web services) collect about us, what companies do with that data and what they can influence with it. We talked about our place in this story and how we can affect the control of our personal data. To avoid intermediaries, the children created shirts with electronic parts connected by conductive wire and programmed them to gather certain data, such as heart rate, temperature, luminosity and audio levels. All these elements together form a wearable electronic device that collects data that is our personal property, giving us the freedom to personally decide what we’ll do with it. During the process of the creation of the e-shirt, the children became acquainted with the basics of electronics and sensorics, and because of the combination of modules and sensors, the conceptual design of the entire shirt was also crucial. During the workshop, the participants learned how to include design in the process of creation of a product.    

Photo: Tina Lagler and Kersnikova / Rampa Archive

Key words: Programming, Electronics, Design