Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology

Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology, Second Edition focuses on the design process, material selection, garment construction, and new production techniques for smart clothing. Building on the success of the previous edition, this book brings wearable technologies ever closer to market with its design-led approach to the integration of technologies into textiles. This design-led, cross-disciplinary approach to the development of hybrid processes ensures that results are both attractive and usable to wider audiences. The book will also help designers adapt their product development processes in response to novel textile and garment manufacturing technologies.

Case studies showing best practices and warning of pitfalls help the reader develop applications and products in the real world. The differences between testing and design for smart and traditional clothes are also discussed.

• Features new chapters on textile processes including knit, weave, print and embroidery for specialist Smart Clothing and footwear applications, as well as for personal protection
• Provides an update on current applications and investigates possible future developments in the integration of technology into clothing
• Raises important issues around end-of-life and disposal of smart clothing and wearable technologies

Since establishing a unique Masters programme in Performance Sportswear Design (University of Derby, 1995-2003) and then leading research in Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology (University of Wales, Newport, 2004-2012), Jane’s practice has continued to be focused on co-design methodology, bringing together representatives from academia and industry, along with end-users, where a new ‘shared language’ is required to break down barriers between disparate disciplines. She was the recipient of the ‘Sir Misha Black Award for Innovation in Design Education’ (2003), presented at the Royal College of Art, and awarded her Professorship from the University of Wales, Newport (2012). Her cross-disciplinary approach led to Erasmus exchanges, Leonardo projects, publication and continuing academic engagement in China. Both during her time in academia, and since working as an independent design and research consultant, back in Northern Ireland (from 2014 onwards), the need for more responsible, sustainable, and user-friendly product development has escalated in relation to her on-going areas of interest in the design of functional clothing as well as in Natural Fibre Composites design applications.

David Bryson is a Senior Lecturer in the Human Sciences Research Centre at the University of Derby, UK. His research interests include the use of scientific photography and multimedia to support learning teaching and assessment in applied science, anatomy and osteology.