IRIS

Reimagining Wearable Tech

App Development & Physical Computing





Introduction

Wearable technology has traditionally been defined by its function, such as tracking movement, monitoring health, or extending connectivity. These devices often prioritise efficiency and data, with aesthetics added later, if at all In contrast, this project begins within fashion: a space where visual storytelling and cultural identity are already central to design.

Developed using Swift and Arduino-compatible microcontrollers, IRIS merges fashion aesthetics with responsive technology through a textile-based LED interface. The project leverages CoreBluetooth and the FastLED library to enable real-time visual customisation, allowing wearers to adapt their bag’s appearance via a mobile app. With a modular architecture and lightweight command structure, IRIS balances technical precision with creative flexibility, offering users a seamless, expressive experience.

Rooted in fashion theory and speculative design, IRIS reimagines wearable technology not as a gadget, but as a soft, emotionally resonant medium for self-expression. Designed for neurodivergent users, digital creatives, and sustainability-conscious individuals, the bag encourages visual communication beyond language. Its adaptive display supports mood-based styling, promoting individuality while reducing material waste. IRIS invites a more human-centred future for wearables, where expression, sustainability, and accessibility converge in everyday fashion.

Research

Inspiration & References
  • Hussein Chalayan - Robotic dresses exploring time and silhouette transformation.
  • Anrealage (2025) – 10,000 LEDs woven into garments; fully programmable runway visuals.
  • Adobe Project Primrose – Electrochromic surfaces for visual change
Cultural Insights:
  • Wearables have existed since the 1500s (e.g., wearable abacuses, LED ballet costumes).
  • Recent history sees a shift toward fashion-tech hybrids - but often remain impractical for everyday use.
Fashion Theory & Speculative Design
  • Clothing as visual language (Barnard, 2002; Ryan, 2014) - it reflects identity, emotion, culture.
  • Speculative design invites reflection and imagination: not what is, but what could be (Dunne & Raby, 2013).
  • IRIS exists in the space between plausible and preferable futures: adaptable, sustainable, expressive.​
User Research
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Key Takeaways:

  • Users want creative control, not automation.

  • Visual expression offers accessibility for non-verbal or sensory-sensitive users.

  • Personalisation increases emotional connection and product longevity.

Informative Evaluation

With the target community and challenges clearly identified, I conducted market research to understand how my app could stand out through its unique design and features. By searching for topics that international students commonly explore (e.g., “Finding friends in London,” “Connecting with students in London,” “How to meet people in London”), I identified numerous suggestions. Among these, I selected three key competitors for closer analysis to better position my app in the market.

Market Gap
Research Outcome
  • Existing LED bags focus on tech novelty - rigid, app-controlled pixel displays with limited cohesion.
  • Most apps prioritise text/gif output, lacking mood-based design or fashion integration.
  • IRIS repositions the LED surface as part of the material identity, not a gadget add-on.

Development

Brand Style Guidelines
User Journey Map
First Iterations
Low Fidelity Prototype

Outcome

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Reflections

IRIS represents a creative response to the evolving relationship between fashion and technology, offering a textile-based LED bag that foregrounds emotional expression, personal identity and sustainable interaction. By shifting wearable tech away from rigid, utility-focused design, this project proposes a more inclusive and imaginative vision, one where garments are not only functional but responsive, adaptable and emotionally resonant.

From hands-on development up to user-centred design, this project has demonstrated the potential for LED textiles to support customisable fashion objects that feel expressive and accessible. The integration of Bluetooth control, pixel-based visual outputs and real-time interaction offers valuable insight into how wearable surfaces can become interactive storytelling tools, supporting creative agency and visual self-expression.

Explore more of my Web Design & Development Work​

3D Portfolio Website
Palette Pages