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Cultures of Making

University of Pennsylvania, Stuart Weitzman School of Design · Spring 2023

Taught by Chris Woebken

Fictional devices and bodily extensions question how everyday technologies shape identity, communication and the boundaries of the human body.

Student projects

Student projects & process

Snail Antennae Device

Quanyi Wang · Spring 2023

What if humans communicated through antennae? Quanyi’s wearable combines two air-driven antennae, a reflective face shield and earplugs to explore communication beyond familiar facial expressions and speech.

Animated demonstration: a handheld button controls the red antenna as it extends and changes shape.
Hand control and antenna movement · Quanyi Wang
Quanyi Wang’s concept sketch shows antenna positions for different signals and two handheld controls.
Concept sketch: communicating through antennae
How it works
  1. Press buttons on two handheld controls.
  2. Air pumps inflate or deflate each antenna.
  3. Use changes in antenna position as visible signals.
Side view of the wearable showing its headband, inflatable antennae, electronics and hand control.
Side view: head-mounted prototype and hand control · Quanyi Wang

Commu-tail (Cat Tail Device)

Hannah Lee · Spring 2023

Hannah Lee’s curved tail model has overlapping pale segments around a flexible core.
Final speculative tail model

A speculative wearable tail inspired by how cats communicate through posture and movement. A flexible base and modular outer segments explore how a tail-like extension could become part of the human body. Earlier whale- and bird-tail studies informed the final model.

Process & development

Close-up of a curved flexible base cut with regularly spaced slots.
Flexible base study
An early black paper tail study has layered pointed shapes attached to a wire frame.
Early bird-tail study

Course context & syllabus

Fictional devices and bodily extensions question how everyday technologies shape identity, communication and the boundaries of the human body.

elective · undergrad · DSGN 2500 · Chris Woebken — Teacher · Catalogue · Original course syllabus

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