Spring 2026 - IAT 320 D100
Body as Interface (4)
Class Number: 6348
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Fri, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Surrey
-
Instructor:
Jon Corbett
jmcorbet@sfu.ca
-
Instructor:
Mehdi Nazemi
mna31@sfu.ca
-
Prerequisites:
Completion of 48 units, including IAT 267 and 222, with a minimum grade of C-.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Explores ideas of embodiment through physical computing supporting human relationships with technology. Students construct and analyze contemporary and historical models of bodily interaction through tangible, gestural and/or e-textile computational prototyping, understand physical practices of embodiment, and apply these concepts to representation, design, and the production of embodied interfaces through various critical lenses.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course focuses on body-based interfaces and embodied interaction. These include sensor-based wearables and tangible computing in the context of social, expressive, aesthetic, and personal embodied computing. Students will acquire conceptual and historical knowledge about current ways in which artists and designers understand embodied interaction through domains including: art, design, fashion, health, architecture and games. Through readings, discussions, and research students be exposed to and utilize core concepts in embodied interaction. Students will expand their technical skills with sensors and Arduino (Adafruit) microprocessors through individual exercises. In small groups, students will design and implement a prototype for an artistic project in a body interface domain.
The focus of the course will be on understanding, analyzing and applying conceptual knowledge about embodied meaning making (i.e. thinking/understanding/experiencing) and embodied interaction (i.e. activity/movement) to explore the design, implementation and critical assessment of wearable and tangible interactive prototypes. We will approach these aims from both art and design perspectives.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Evaluate various systems of embodied interaction, mapping the body to interface design and analyze experiential and analytic systems of embodied mapping.
- Evaluate the concept of body interface and apply this knowledge, critically, to conceive the design of a body interface project.
- Understand the role of the physical senses in a range of multi-modal interface systems.
- Construct an interactive system in order to explore how embodied concepts can be applied throughout an iterative artistic/design process.
In other words …
1. Learn Concepts: Evaluate computational systems through the lens of embodied interaction
2. Try Prototyping: Design and implement tangible, wearable, and a movement-based interactive prototypes -- using embodied cognition and interaction concepts to inform or inspire
3. Think about User Experience: Discuss and consider users’ experience via their body with your prototypes
4. Research Project: Conceptualize, design, and build a high-quality interactive prototype that enables you to explore an embodied experience for users.
Grading
- 3 Skill Building Assignments (Individual) 30%
- Early Project Concept & Prototype (Individual Mark) 20%
- Final Project (Group) 40%
- Participation, professional conduct and in-class quizzes 10%
NOTES:
Grading Scale
For course assessment, the following grading scale provided by the SIAT department will be used:
95% ≤ A+
90% ≤ A < 95%
85% ≤ A- < 90%
80% ≤ B+ < 85%
75% ≤ B < 80%
70% ≤ B- < 75%
65% ≤ C+ < 70%
60% ≤ C < 65%
55% ≤ C- < 60%
50% ≤ D < 55%
F < 50%
REQUIREMENTS:
Required - Adafruit Microprocessor Kit
The Kit is for sale at the SIAT administrative office for $100 CA. Please contact Yukti Gupta (siatcord@sfu.ca) to purchase it. You need to bring the exact cash amount, as no other means of payment will be accepted and our administration does not have change. The kit is absolutely required to complete the course and we will start using it as soon as in the first class and for Assignment 1. The kit contains the following :
- Adafruit - Circuit Playground Bluefruit microprocessor board
- Battery pack
- Batteries
- Conductive thread
- Sewing needles
- 4 individual neopixel LEDs
- Battery extender connector cable
- USB Cable (you may need your own adapter from USB to fit your laptop port)
- Alligator clips
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Optional Items to consider:
Other Adafruit products and sensors (compatible with Arduino)
Any prototyping equipment from IAT 267 (e.g. breadboard)
Soldering Irons
Sewing Machines (check out new MakerSpace in Surrey Library)
Sample Sensors
Power Adapters
Electronic bits and pieces (resistors, LEDs, wires)
Tools
Conductive Thread/Material Samples
REQUIRED READING:
Ullmer, Brygg, Shaer, Orit, Mazalek, Ali, & Hummels, Caroline. (2023). Weaving Fire Into Form: Aspirations for Tangible and Embodied Interaction. MIT Press. ISBN:9781450397674
ISBN: 9781601983282
RECOMMENDED READING:
Kate Hartman, 2014, Make: Wearable Electronics: Design, Prototype, and Wear Your Own Interactive Garments, Maker Media Inc.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.