Day 3: Cyclical Shirt (paper prototype)
Conceptual Framework and Research: The insulin pod that I use has to be changed and re-located every 3 days. Because of this, I think my existing shirt prototypes from last semester present a problem. I have been thinking of clothing that is modular and after a few different ideas/sketches I decided to do a paper prototype of one idea. I have the idea of creating a shirt that has 4 circles cut out in locations that the pod would normally be placed around the abdomen and lower back area (2 in the front, 2 in the back). The shirt would come with 8 patches (one set in see-through mesh/one set in the same solid shirt material). The patches could attach to the shirt with velcro, snaps, or zippers.
Imagery:The patches would have imagery that referenced cyclical events such as the 4 seasons, 4 ages of man, lifecycles (such as that of a frog). As the pump moves around, the imagery could as well. In this particular prototype I used animals that symbolize the four seasons. Spring = Lamb / Summer = Lion / Autumn = Hare / Winter = Salamander. I'm interested in time-based references both in the interactivity of the garment and the images. What I made so far:Paper prototypes of a modular shirt.
Problems:
Obviously this is not a shirt that could be worn days on end. Unless you want to smell bad and have no friends. Maybe I should make a shirt that has interchangable arm-pit parts so it would be like a new shirt every day! Just kidding...or am I onto something GENIUS?! I'm tired.
Steps forward:
In the process of making this I started to think about the potential for the imagery to help diabetics remember which day they are on in their site-cycle. Some insulin pumps do not have alarms/reminders for when it is time to change the site. Changing the pump site is important for hygienic purposes and preventing scar tissue build up. The pump I was on before this one did not remind me of when to change it and sometimes I would forget - - going many more days without changing the site. If there was a familiar life cycle (such as that of a frog - - eggs / tadpole / frog) that could be switched out perhaps that could help educate and remind in a visual way. I don't know if any of this makes sense...I'm still working it out in my head. Sorry if its confusing.Also, I started my sewing class today!
