GLOW JOBS

Wearables

RESEARCH

Imogen Heap MiMU Gloves. Software gloves for creating mapping between your movements and sound.

Artificial Intelligence and its False Lies by Mika Satomi

Anna Cain mood ring

Hug shirt by cutecircuit

Yoga pants by Wearable X

Others

• social body lab at ocad u
• Gerard Visuals
• Sound & Electromagnetic
• Cameron Hughes
  

The Knitted Radio

Yoel Fink

MiMU

References & Inspiration

• Thermal Coffee Coasters & Ceramic/Clay Coasters

To have a fully conceptualized idea I was thinking of *skip to the beat of my heart* or *heart throbber* other classic quips which were easy eough to actually create a full concept and device around. I wanted to have a skipping rope and buzz when it hit the floor or a sensor area on the body, I thought about making a beat box on the shirt, singing fake nails that would play when you touch, Thermochromic Ink candle holders, heat up coffee coaster, or Thermochromic Ink nails that would change colour when you set them on fire, or connecting another aspect that would sing or buzz when your heart rate got too high/fast. Too complicated. full circle back to velostat stepper, so we beep while we walk while our heart blinks, I'm hoping maybe if you go long enough, there will be some type of pattern we'll see.

HEART THROBBER

Tools

- Arduino IDE
- AD8232 Heart Monitor 
- ECG Pads
- Neopixel Strip of 18 leds
- Wires 
- Breadboard 
- Wire Covers & Heat Gun
- Wire Clamps 
- Felt & Other Fabrics 
- Solder Station 
- Scissors 
- Wire Cutters 
- Tape
- Copper Wire

PROCESS & WORKFLOW

SKETCHES

STEP BY STEP PROCESS

1. Connect AD8232 Heart Sensor to Arduino pins according to the diagram.

1. Breadboard the circuit including power, ground, signal, and LO+/- detection

1. Test raw values using Serial Monitor to ensure heartbeat signal is detected

1. Attach Neopixels to Pin D9, test strip with basic blink sketch

1. Solder headers and finalize components for wearable mounting

1. Upload final code, verify signal triggers both light and sound

1. Encase circuit in textile housing, create soft wearable pocket for board

1. Decorate with felt layers and embroidery to make it wearable + visually soft

SET UP & CIRCUIT

Component	Arduino Pin	Function
Neopixel	D9	LED signal
Buzzer	D8	Audio Feedback
AD8232 Output	A10	Analog heart signal
AD8232 Leads Off+	D12	Pad detection
AD8232 Leads Off-	D6	Pad detection

Code

#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
#define PIN 9
#define NUMPIXELS 18
#define BUZZER_PIN 3
Adafruit_NeoPixel pixel(NUMPIXELS, PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
int reading;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(12, INPUT);  // Setup for leads off detection LO +
  pinMode(6, INPUT);   // Setup for leads off detection LO -
  pinMode(18, INPUT);
  pixel.begin();
  pixel.setBrightness(50);
  pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  if ((digitalRead(6) == 1) || (digitalRead(12) == 1)) {
    Serial.println('!');
  } else {
    // send the value of analog input 0:
    reading = analogRead(10);
    Serial.println(reading);
  tone(BUZZER_PIN, reading);
  }
  for (int i = 0; i < NUMPIXELS; i++) {
    pixel.setPixelColor(i, pixel.Color(reading / 4, 0, 0));
  }
 {
}
  pixel.show();
  delay(20);
}

Code

RESULTS

RESTING HEARTRATE

VS.

FREQUENCY REGULATED HEARTRATE

• LEDs pulse in sync with heartbeat

• Buzzer emits tone with pulse strength

• Output varies when nervous system is activated (Dolphin device)

@bishgosh bad girls make good boys hearts beat fast !! #wearables #ecg #robotics #womeninstem #light ♬ original sound - Popculture

Final Thoughts

This was my first time translating a biosignal to both visual and auditory output in a wearable form. It made me reflect on emotional expression through tech, and how we might use clothing not just to cover our bodies, but to mirror and regulate what’s inside.

HOT TIPS

CONCEPT

This experiment explored how copper wire + thermochromic pigment can be combined to create heat-reactive fake nails. Instead of relying on light or pressure sensors, the nail itself becomes an expressive surface. When current runs through the copper coil, it heats up and triggers a visible color shift in the nail polish. The idea was to make a nail that performs, that is both playful and reactive.

OBJECTIVE

Create a wearable nail prototype that changes color when heat is applied through an embedded copper coil. It uses low-voltage, body-safe heating powered through the Adafruit Flora board to change the colour of the thermochromic pigment on the nail. It demonstrates a clear before-and-after transformation within seconds.

TOOLS

• Fake nails (plastic base)
• Thermochromic pigment or polish (heat-sensitive, color-shifting)
• Copper wire (thin gauge, flexible for coiling)
• Adafruit Flora board
• USB cable (power source)
• Alligator clips (for testing connections)
• Tape or glue (to secure coil)
• Arduino IDE (to upload simple on/off sketch)

Heat Controlling Circuit

A heat-controlling circuit is an electronic setup that regulates the flow of current through a resistive element (like a wire or coil) so that it produces heat in a controlled way, often using components such as transistors or MOSFETs to switch the heating element on and off safely.

PROCESS & WORKFLOW

STEP BY STEP PROCESS

1. Paint Nail Apply a coat of thermochromic pigment or polish to the fake nail and let it fully dry under the uv light. Thermochromic pigment is the responsive surface, it changes colour at around 30–33°C when heated.

1. Shape Copper Coil Wind a short piece of copper wire into a small coil/loop. Place it on the underside of the fake nail and add a top coat shellac to ensure it sticks and does not touch skin. The coil acts as a resistive heater. When current passes through, it generates enough heat to activate the pigment.

1. Wire Connections Use alligator clips to connect the coil leads:

2. Coil Lead 1 → Flora Pin D9

3. Coil Lead 2 → Flora GND

Pin D9 was chosen as it can be programmed as a digital output to switch current on/off.

1. Power On Plug the Flora into a laptop via USB. The USB provides safe, regulated 5V power without needing an external battery.

1. Load a simple on/off sketch through Arduino IDE. The code allows you to trigger heat manually or with a sensor.
   

CODE

 int pinchPin = 2; // Pin from nail sensor 
 int ledPin = 9; // LED output pin 

 void setup() {
  pinMode(pinchPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  int pinch = digitalRead(pinchPin);
  if (pinch == HIGH) {
    digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); // Turn LED on 
  } else {
    digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW); // Turn LED off 
  }
}

CIRCUIT

Flora Pin	Connection
9	Copper Wire +
GND	Copper Wire -

SAFETY NOTES

• Test heating cycles in short bursts (5–10 seconds).
• Do not apply heat directly to skin for long periods.
• Use thin resistor wire or coil copper tightly to increase heat without pulling too much current.
• Always monitor nail temperature before prolonged testing.

RESULTS

The nail shifted color within 7–10 seconds of powering the coil. The effect was reversible: as the coil cooled, the nail returned to its original shade.The transformation was visually striking, playful, and hinted at new directions for interactive nail art.

Final Thoughts

This was a minimal but powerful exploration of how body ornament + electronics + materials science can create playful new wearables. Unlike biosignal sensors, Glow Jobs are performative, they don’t measure, they express. It opens up questions about how fashion can flirt with heat, light, and transformation as everyday gestures.

@bishgosh it’s getting hot in here 🫦 #nail #tips #nailart #electronics ♬ original sound - paramind

COMING UP NEXT

TINKERBISH