Sonic Textiles for Health and Wellbeing

‘Sonic Textiles for Health and Wellbeing’ outlines a PhD study using textiles as an interface for sound applied within health and wellbeing. We use textiles for protecting our bodies, helping keep us warm or stay cool in different environments. They are sensory objects that can engage our sight, touch, sense of smell, and even our hearing. In the past, textile designers have considered the sensual aspects of their designs, mainly focusing on the inherent visual and tactile qualities. Over the last few years the addition of sound to textiles within research and design can be seen in the work of Cathy Treadaway and CuteCircuit. Technology is easily integrated within textiles, with components becoming smaller and more sophisticated. Sabine Seymour suggests that audio could become central to the success of smart clothes. This study will investigate adding to the natural qualities of textiles through the addition of sound, creating sonic textiles. The purpose of this study is triple-layered: (1) it looks to encourage and share the making of sensory and sonic textiles, (2) it investigates how making affects our identity, while (3) gaining a better understanding of what affect sensory and sonic textiles can have on health and wellbeing.