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This hoodie is an accessory for the iPhone that can put its wearer into a video game in the real world. It was conceived by Kathleen Climie, Rose Bianchini, and David McCallum at the Canadian Film Centre's Media Lab.

I was brought in on the project because of my expertise in the area electronics and clothing. I was also a graduate of the same CFC’s Media Lab program and well-known to the team members. Designed so that three wearers could play a game of "zombie tag", the hoodie lights up and responds to gestures and game events to immerse the user in a world of collaborative experience.

The three technologies which I seamlessly integrated included LED lights, proximity sensors, speakers and controls. The lighting system is located in the front and back with soft, thin panels - each one glowing in colours that represent information about the player in the game. The hoodie was designed to appeal to teenagers, and looks and feels like an everyday hoodie when not in use for an interactive game.

Shown below are pictures of this sample. You can also see video for the concept HERE.

Because of the media coverage received (such as Talk2MyShirt), we were invited to San Jose for the 01SJ Biennal. Technology guru David McCallum and I instructed participants in a workshop for how to mod their hoodies and later use them for a game of zombie tag on the streets. See more HERE.

Here is the hoodie. The lines going across the chest glow during a game. The colour depends on the game.

The action of putting up the hood is significant in the game of "zombie tag" - it means the game has started.

When not playing a game, the hood can also be used to listen to music on your iPod.

The iPod is connected and secured in a pouch within the pocket. It won't move or fall out.

The earphones are connected and secred inside the hood right next to the ears.

The soundscape inside the hood is very intimate.

This is the tag patch for the game of "zombie tag". Players hit this patch and the hoodie turns a different colour to show you've lost.

The game can be downloaded onto your iPod and becomes interactive with your friend's and their hoodies.

This shows how the front can glow during the game - mostly visible in the evening.

The tag patch.