Soft Speakers: Hands on eTextiles Workshop

A hands-on exploration of sound and textiles, where you'll design and create soft speakers by weaving with conductive threads. Soft Speakers: Hands on eTextiles Workshop is an introduction to the world of eTextiles, where electronics and textiles merge. In this 3-hour session, you’ll design and build your own woven soft speaker using conductive thread and magnets. Designed as an introductory workshop, participants will come away with the basics of weaving and the fundamentals of crafting sound-emitting textiles. This workshop is perfect for creatives, technologists, craftspeople, and anyone curious about the intersection of electronics and materials. You’ll leave not only with a working fabric speaker prototype but also with new insights into how textiles can be used as a medium for technology. By the end of the session, you’ll be equipped with practical skills to experiment further with eTextiles in your own work. A hand loom and all necessary materials are included in the registration fee. Program Welcome & Introduction: Overview of the workshop and materials Tool Demo: Weaving techniques and speaker basics Brief Lecture on Speaker Theory: How sound works and the role of materials in speaker design Discussion of Relevant Precedents: Exploration of eTextile projects and inspirations Crafting Time: Design and create your own woven speaker using conductive fabrics and threads Symphony of Speakers: Test and showcase everyone’s finished speakers in a collective sound experience Wrap-Up & Next Steps: Final thoughts and ideas for future experimentation Learning Outcomes How to use a tapestry loom How to weave double cloth How to create a soft speaker The basics of speaker engineering The basic of eTextiles Resources Take a look at this workshop page. Facilitators Craftwork is a multidisciplinary design and art studio exploring the nature of textiles and technology through installations, storytelling, and material-based research. Craftwork co-founders, Nicole Yi Messier and Victoria Manganiello will be teaching this workshop. Refunds We get that things come up, but we rely on headcounts in our programs to survive as a business. If you request a refund... More than 4 weeks before workshop begins → 100% refund More than 2 weeks before workshop begins → 50% refund Fewer than 2 weeks before workshop begins → No refund Thanks for understanding and for supporting our ability to provide cool offerings through your purchase. Media Release Clause By attending this event, you consent to being photographed, filmed, or recorded, and grant Index Space permission to use this content for promotional or informational purposes.