Process

1) Researching it all works

I have not spent much time working with circuits or conductive materials, so I spent time at the beginning exploring how I could set up circuits and learning about electricity in general. This took the form of web research, DIY video tutorials, and talking to fellow students.

I settled on an approach that would consist of three layers: copper conductive fabric, muslin fabric, and thermochromatic paint.

2) Testing the technical parts

Given that thermochromatic paint is activated by heat (at 90 degrees), I needed to figure out how much electricity would be required in order heat the copper fabric up enough to activate the paint.

In order to test this, I first created a variety of wave designs and letters. I then laser cut these shapes onto copper conductive fabric. I then tested the laser cut pieces with a power source to see what it would take to heat it to > 90 degrees. It turns out that the conductive fabric has really low resistence, so would require > 30 volts of power (more than a household battery) in order to heat it enough, so the fabric will not likely work for the final solution. This has lead me to explore conductive thread, which will be more visible in the design, and conductive paint, which will be more invisible in the resting state, but may show through when the pigment changes in the thermochromatic paint.

I ran a test using Bare conductive paint and some thermochromatic paint borrowed from a friend, and we were able to get the color change to work using 19V. The test also revealed that the electricity does not flow through a design evenly, and that skinnier more direct paths for the conductive material may be required in the final design.

Video: https://vimeo.com/213386805 

3) Developing the design

Given what I learned in the technical tests, have been exploring a few different wave design approaches to screen print on the front of the piece and animating these in AfterEffects in order explore what they will look like “animated” with the thermochromatic ink. Since the thermochromatic ink loses pigment and goes clear/white, I have been exploring ways that a simple color change can mimic the movement of water while also ensuring that all of the conductive paths are relative straightforward.

This process has also included an exploration of type, where I have been assessing fonts based on how they may support conductive pathways.