2025
CoCreate
Co-Create is an interactive performance system where the performer turns spectators into co-creators, letting the audience members directly influence the performer’s garment through motion.
Fashion
Interaction design
Intro
Co-Create is an interactive performance system where the performer turns spectators into co-creators, letting the audience members directly influence the performer’s garment through motion.
My role in the project
As the team leader, I was responsible for coordinating our overall direction, setting schedules, and keeping communication clear across all members. In the early stages, I led our user interviews and ideation process to shape the project’s concept. I also took charge of designing and fabricating the wearable piece, including sketching, mechanism design, material testing, 3D printing, laser cutting, and final assembly. In the final stage, I handled photography, visual documentation, and created the demo video for our presentation. Throughout the project, I supported the creative, technical, and organizational aspects to ensure we stayed on track and delivered a cohesive final outcome.
Problem
Imaginary wall between performer and audience limits interaction
Traditionally, performances are shaped by an invisible boundary—an imaginary wall—that separates the performer from the audience. This wall creates a one-way flow of expression: the performer acts, and the audience observes. While emotionally moving, this format often leaves spectators as passive recipients rather than active participants. The problem lies in this separation—it limits empathy, co-presence, and the potential for shared creative energy.
Sketch by Chantal
How Might We?
How might we transform/improve the traditional performer-audience dynamic into a co-creation/creative experience fostering a connection?
Solution
By handing over control, the performer invites the audience to take creative responsibility and influence the outcome of the performance.
Our solution transforms passive spectators into active co-creators by using force sensors, accelerometers, servo motors, and light to form a real-time feedback loop—allowing audience movement to directly shape the performer’s wearable and dissolve the boundary between observer and performer.
Interaction 1
Interaction 1: Performer chooses audience
The performer steps on one of the foot panels to select an audience zone. The lightstick held by a person in that zone lights up—signaling that they’ve been chosen to interact.
Interaction 2
Interaction 2: Audience control the movement of performer’s garment.
The selected audience member can move the lightstick to control the performer’s outfit in real time.
Shaking the stick up and down causes the scales on the lower part of the garment to curl and uncurl.
Shaking the stick left and right activates a sequence of movements in the mechanical wings on the upper part of the garment.
Photography by Mia, Edit by Yingying, Model: Chantal
System Architecture
The project is built on a distributed interaction system, where an ESP32 reads signals from multiple force sensors placed on the performer’s wearable piece, and wirelessly communicates with several ESP32 modules held by the audience, each equipped with an accelerometer and LED ring to enable real-time, two-way interaction between performer and audience.
Diagram by Jingru Zhang
Sketch
Sketch and Ideation
We took inspiration from AI generated photos, generated through midjourney by Yingying
Process
Process and Physical Prototypes of the Wearable Piece
The main material we used was acrylic, which we laser cut and thermoformed to achieve the desired visual effect. Mechanical components were 3D printed using PLA, designed for lightweight strength and flexibility. The motion system was assembled using fishing line and small metal hardware to create responsive, jointed movement.
Throughout the process, we iterated on the structure and form to balance aesthetics with functionality—ensuring that the wearable could both visually engage the audience and move smoothly under motor control.
Process
Process and Physical Prototypes
A key structural element of the wearable is the motor-driven mechanism inspired by the kinetic garment collaboration between Iris van Herpen and Casey Curran. We designed a system where a servo motor drives a rotating rod with a small disc at its tip. Several fishing lines are attached to this disc, which perform circular motion to sequentially pull on different parts of the garment. This creates a rhythmic rising and falling motion in both the upper mechanical “wings” and the lower scale-like panels. The mechanism translates continuous motor rotation into a delicate, wave-like movement—bridging engineering with expressive fashion performance.
Through four iterations of the wearable’s structure, with each version improving both functionality and integration. The first versions focused on enhancing structural strength and stability. Later iterations introduced mounting holes for securely attaching the piece to the base with screws, along with dedicated space to house the microcontroller. In the final version, we added extended connectors to interface with flexible rubber tubing, enabling smoother cable management and more stable mechanical movement.
Photography by Yingying, Model: Chantal
Learnings
Leading and Team Collaboration
Working on this project taught me valuable lessons about leadership, boundaries, and communication—especially when collaborating with close friends. At the beginning of the project, I invited a friend to join our team. Out of familiarity and friendship, I was overly lenient with her participation and didn’t clearly establish expectations or responsibilities. As deadlines approached and pressure increased, I shifted into a managerial role and began holding everyone more accountable. This sudden change created tension and a perceived imbalance in our relationship.
Looking back, I realized that mixing friendship and teamwork requires a strong foundation of mutual understanding, clear communication, and defined roles from the very beginning. I also learned that leadership isn’t just about task delegation—it’s about managing dynamics, setting consistent expectations, and maintaining fairness across the team. While I still believe it’s possible to collaborate with friends, it's crucial to separate emotional ties from project responsibilities.
This experience helped me reflect not only on how I lead, but how I navigate interpersonal relationships in a creative environment. It’s a lesson I’ll carry forward into future collaborations.
Learning Mechanics Through Wearable Design
This project was my first deep dive into wearable mechanics, and it pushed me to explore areas far outside my previous comfort zone. I had little background in mechanical structures, but I took the initiative to learn by building functional prototypes from scratch. I experimented with linkage systems, studied how to translate rotational motion into linear pull, and tested different materials to achieve smooth and rhythmic movement.
Through this process, I became familiar with using servo motors, designing jointed structures, and assembling components using fishing line, acrylic, 3D printed PLA parts, and small metal hardware. I also learned about tension management, mounting strategies, and how different materials respond under stress or motion. By iterating across four structural versions, I refined both the physical stability and functionality of the garment.
Successfully building a motion-responsive wearable taught me how design, mechanics, and storytelling can merge—opening a new path of exploration for me as a designer.
More Works
(GQ® — 02)
©2024
FAQ
01
What tools and technologies used in the project?
02
What is your inpiration?
03
How does the product stand out from the market? What is the result from compatible research?
04
What do you want to improve in the future?
2025
CoCreate
Hi, I am Quinn® I’m a passionate and innovative 3D designer with over a decade of experience in the field. My journey began with a fascination.
Fashion
Interaction design
Intro
Co-Create is an interactive performance system where the performer turns spectators into co-creators, letting the audience members directly influence the performer’s garment through motion.
My role in the project
As the team leader, I was responsible for coordinating our overall direction, setting schedules, and keeping communication clear across all members. In the early stages, I led our user interviews and ideation process to shape the project’s concept. I also took charge of designing and fabricating the wearable piece, including sketching, mechanism design, material testing, 3D printing, laser cutting, and final assembly. In the final stage, I handled photography, visual documentation, and created the demo video for our presentation. Throughout the project, I supported the creative, technical, and organizational aspects to ensure we stayed on track and delivered a cohesive final outcome.
Problem
Imaginary wall between performer and audience limits interaction
Traditionally, performances are shaped by an invisible boundary—an imaginary wall—that separates the performer from the audience. This wall creates a one-way flow of expression: the performer acts, and the audience observes. While emotionally moving, this format often leaves spectators as passive recipients rather than active participants. The problem lies in this separation—it limits empathy, co-presence, and the potential for shared creative energy.
Sketch by Chantal
How Might We?
How might we transform/improve the traditional performer-audience dynamic into a co-creation/creative experience fostering a connection?
Solution
By handing over control, the performer invites the audience to take creative responsibility and influence the outcome of the performance.
Our solution transforms passive spectators into active co-creators by using force sensors, accelerometers, servo motors, and light to form a real-time feedback loop—allowing audience movement to directly shape the performer’s wearable and dissolve the boundary between observer and performer.
Interaction 1
Interaction 1: Performer chooses audience
The performer steps on one of the foot panels to select an audience zone. The lightstick held by a person in that zone lights up—signaling that they’ve been chosen to interact.
Interaction 2
Interaction 2: Audience control the movement of performer’s garment.
The selected audience member can move the lightstick to control the performer’s outfit in real time.
Shaking the stick up and down causes the scales on the lower part of the garment to curl and uncurl.
Shaking the stick left and right activates a sequence of movements in the mechanical wings on the upper part of the garment.
Photography by Mia, Edit by Yingying, Model: Chantal
System Architecture
The project is built on a distributed interaction system, where an ESP32 reads signals from multiple force sensors placed on the performer’s wearable piece, and wirelessly communicates with several ESP32 modules held by the audience, each equipped with an accelerometer and LED ring to enable real-time, two-way interaction between performer and audience.
Diagram by Jingru Zhang
Sketch
Sketch and Ideation
We took inspiration from AI generated photos, generated through midjourney by Yingying
Process
Process and Physical Prototypes of the Wearable Piece
The main material we used was acrylic, which we laser cut and thermoformed to achieve the desired visual effect. Mechanical components were 3D printed using PLA, designed for lightweight strength and flexibility. The motion system was assembled using fishing line and small metal hardware to create responsive, jointed movement.
Throughout the process, we iterated on the structure and form to balance aesthetics with functionality—ensuring that the wearable could both visually engage the audience and move smoothly under motor control.
Process
Process and Physical Prototypes
A key structural element of the wearable is the motor-driven mechanism inspired by the kinetic garment collaboration between Iris van Herpen and Casey Curran. We designed a system where a servo motor drives a rotating rod with a small disc at its tip. Several fishing lines are attached to this disc, which perform circular motion to sequentially pull on different parts of the garment. This creates a rhythmic rising and falling motion in both the upper mechanical “wings” and the lower scale-like panels. The mechanism translates continuous motor rotation into a delicate, wave-like movement—bridging engineering with expressive fashion performance.
Through four iterations of the wearable’s structure, with each version improving both functionality and integration. The first versions focused on enhancing structural strength and stability. Later iterations introduced mounting holes for securely attaching the piece to the base with screws, along with dedicated space to house the microcontroller. In the final version, we added extended connectors to interface with flexible rubber tubing, enabling smoother cable management and more stable mechanical movement.
Photography by Yingying, Model: Chantal
Learnings
Leading and Team Collaboration
Working on this project taught me valuable lessons about leadership, boundaries, and communication—especially when collaborating with close friends. At the beginning of the project, I invited a friend to join our team. Out of familiarity and friendship, I was overly lenient with her participation and didn’t clearly establish expectations or responsibilities. As deadlines approached and pressure increased, I shifted into a managerial role and began holding everyone more accountable. This sudden change created tension and a perceived imbalance in our relationship.
Looking back, I realized that mixing friendship and teamwork requires a strong foundation of mutual understanding, clear communication, and defined roles from the very beginning. I also learned that leadership isn’t just about task delegation—it’s about managing dynamics, setting consistent expectations, and maintaining fairness across the team. While I still believe it’s possible to collaborate with friends, it's crucial to separate emotional ties from project responsibilities.
This experience helped me reflect not only on how I lead, but how I navigate interpersonal relationships in a creative environment. It’s a lesson I’ll carry forward into future collaborations.
Learning Mechanics Through Wearable Design
This project was my first deep dive into wearable mechanics, and it pushed me to explore areas far outside my previous comfort zone. I had little background in mechanical structures, but I took the initiative to learn by building functional prototypes from scratch. I experimented with linkage systems, studied how to translate rotational motion into linear pull, and tested different materials to achieve smooth and rhythmic movement.
Through this process, I became familiar with using servo motors, designing jointed structures, and assembling components using fishing line, acrylic, 3D printed PLA parts, and small metal hardware. I also learned about tension management, mounting strategies, and how different materials respond under stress or motion. By iterating across four structural versions, I refined both the physical stability and functionality of the garment.
Successfully building a motion-responsive wearable taught me how design, mechanics, and storytelling can merge—opening a new path of exploration for me as a designer.
More Works
(GQ® — 02)
©2024
FAQ
01
What tools and technologies used in the project?
02
What is your inpiration?
03
How does the product stand out from the market? What is the result from compatible research?
04
What do you want to improve in the future?
2025
CoCreate
Hi, I am Rosa® I’m a passionate and innovative 3D designer with over a decade of experience in the field. My journey began with a fascination.
Fashion
Interaction design
Intro
Co-Create is an interactive performance system where the performer turns spectators into co-creators, letting the audience members directly influence the performer’s garment through motion.
My role in the project
As the team leader, I was responsible for coordinating our overall direction, setting schedules, and keeping communication clear across all members. In the early stages, I led our user interviews and ideation process to shape the project’s concept. I also took charge of designing and fabricating the wearable piece, including sketching, mechanism design, material testing, 3D printing, laser cutting, and final assembly. In the final stage, I handled photography, visual documentation, and created the demo video for our presentation. Throughout the project, I supported the creative, technical, and organizational aspects to ensure we stayed on track and delivered a cohesive final outcome.
Problem
Imaginary wall between performer and audience limits interaction
Traditionally, performances are shaped by an invisible boundary—an imaginary wall—that separates the performer from the audience. This wall creates a one-way flow of expression: the performer acts, and the audience observes. While emotionally moving, this format often leaves spectators as passive recipients rather than active participants. The problem lies in this separation—it limits empathy, co-presence, and the potential for shared creative energy.
Sketch by Chantal
How Might We?
How might we transform/improve the traditional performer-audience dynamic into a co-creation/creative experience fostering a connection?
Solution
By handing over control, the performer invites the audience to take creative responsibility and influence the outcome of the performance.
Our solution transforms passive spectators into active co-creators by using force sensors, accelerometers, servo motors, and light to form a real-time feedback loop—allowing audience movement to directly shape the performer’s wearable and dissolve the boundary between observer and performer.
Interaction 1
Interaction 1: Performer chooses audience
The performer steps on one of the foot panels to select an audience zone. The lightstick held by a person in that zone lights up—signaling that they’ve been chosen to interact.
Interaction 2
Interaction 2: Audience control the movement of performer’s garment.
The selected audience member can move the lightstick to control the performer’s outfit in real time.
Shaking the stick up and down causes the scales on the lower part of the garment to curl and uncurl.
Shaking the stick left and right activates a sequence of movements in the mechanical wings on the upper part of the garment.
Photography by Mia, Edit by Yingying, Model: Chantal
System Architecture
The project is built on a distributed interaction system, where an ESP32 reads signals from multiple force sensors placed on the performer’s wearable piece, and wirelessly communicates with several ESP32 modules held by the audience, each equipped with an accelerometer and LED ring to enable real-time, two-way interaction between performer and audience.
Diagram by Jingru Zhang
Sketch
Sketch and Ideation
We took inspiration from AI generated photos, generated through midjourney by Yingying
Process
Process and Physical Prototypes of the Wearable Piece
The main material we used was acrylic, which we laser cut and thermoformed to achieve the desired visual effect. Mechanical components were 3D printed using PLA, designed for lightweight strength and flexibility. The motion system was assembled using fishing line and small metal hardware to create responsive, jointed movement.
Throughout the process, we iterated on the structure and form to balance aesthetics with functionality—ensuring that the wearable could both visually engage the audience and move smoothly under motor control.
Process
Process and Physical Prototypes
A key structural element of the wearable is the motor-driven mechanism inspired by the kinetic garment collaboration between Iris van Herpen and Casey Curran. We designed a system where a servo motor drives a rotating rod with a small disc at its tip. Several fishing lines are attached to this disc, which perform circular motion to sequentially pull on different parts of the garment. This creates a rhythmic rising and falling motion in both the upper mechanical “wings” and the lower scale-like panels. The mechanism translates continuous motor rotation into a delicate, wave-like movement—bridging engineering with expressive fashion performance.
Through four iterations of the wearable’s structure, with each version improving both functionality and integration. The first versions focused on enhancing structural strength and stability. Later iterations introduced mounting holes for securely attaching the piece to the base with screws, along with dedicated space to house the microcontroller. In the final version, we added extended connectors to interface with flexible rubber tubing, enabling smoother cable management and more stable mechanical movement.
Photography by Yingying, Model: Chantal
Learnings
Leading and Team Collaboration
Working on this project taught me valuable lessons about leadership, boundaries, and communication—especially when collaborating with close friends. At the beginning of the project, I invited a friend to join our team. Out of familiarity and friendship, I was overly lenient with her participation and didn’t clearly establish expectations or responsibilities. As deadlines approached and pressure increased, I shifted into a managerial role and began holding everyone more accountable. This sudden change created tension and a perceived imbalance in our relationship.
Looking back, I realized that mixing friendship and teamwork requires a strong foundation of mutual understanding, clear communication, and defined roles from the very beginning. I also learned that leadership isn’t just about task delegation—it’s about managing dynamics, setting consistent expectations, and maintaining fairness across the team. While I still believe it’s possible to collaborate with friends, it's crucial to separate emotional ties from project responsibilities.
This experience helped me reflect not only on how I lead, but how I navigate interpersonal relationships in a creative environment. It’s a lesson I’ll carry forward into future collaborations.
Learning Mechanics Through Wearable Design
This project was my first deep dive into wearable mechanics, and it pushed me to explore areas far outside my previous comfort zone. I had little background in mechanical structures, but I took the initiative to learn by building functional prototypes from scratch. I experimented with linkage systems, studied how to translate rotational motion into linear pull, and tested different materials to achieve smooth and rhythmic movement.
Through this process, I became familiar with using servo motors, designing jointed structures, and assembling components using fishing line, acrylic, 3D printed PLA parts, and small metal hardware. I also learned about tension management, mounting strategies, and how different materials respond under stress or motion. By iterating across four structural versions, I refined both the physical stability and functionality of the garment.
Successfully building a motion-responsive wearable taught me how design, mechanics, and storytelling can merge—opening a new path of exploration for me as a designer.
More Works
©2024
FAQ
What tools and technologies used in the project?
What is your inpiration?
How does the product stand out from the market? What is the result from compatible research?
What do you want to improve in the future?