Hybrid Toys workshop

Context

This Hybrid Toys laboratory explores design and media making in the context of the increasingly intimate fusion of digital and physical space. How can we expand the physical nature of toys with networked and digital components? How can we make tangible and playful interfaces for new layers of data that connect to the physical world?

Workshop approach

The workshop is an intense process in which the participants design playful projects (applications, services, games, programs, formats) that connect physical objects of places as interface to digital media. We will also look into the possibilities of solar cells and making small robots. Every morning lectures and lessons bring in new perspectives, and interesting project presentations.

Every afternoon the participants work on their own workshop projects. In 3 workshop days every participant will develop a prototype of a hybrid world media project, assisted by outstanding international trainers, lecturers and technical assistants. The workshop closes with a public presentation in which the issues are discussed and the results are shown.

Pingmag

The Tokyo-based online magazine Pingmag published an article about our first Hybrid Toy workshop and an interview with Jean-Baptiste LaBrune and Dana Gordon. Read all about it here.

Trainers

Jean-Baptiste Labrune's is a third year Phd student in interaction design in INRIA and University Paris Sud in France. His research group named in|situ| creates new interfaces and interactions for the family. (To be confirmed).

Dana Gordon graduated from the masters program of Interaction Design Institute Ivrea in the summer of 2006. During the last two years, as part of her Interaction design studies, she focused on physical computing and particularly tangible interface design. She collaborated with companies such as Tecno and Droog Design. Currently based in Paris, she develops new tangible design projects and consults for artistic interactive installations. (To be confirmed).

Workshop tools

As practical research tools the participants can use a variety of Arduinos (Diecimila, Bluetooth and Lilypad) with a collection of sensors and other (conductive) materials to play and experiment with.

The workshop is designed for a maximum of 16 media makers, artists, designers and producers.
All participants are assisted personally in realizing their workshop projects. Participants are not required to have specific technical knowledge of new media, but experience with developing content for interactive media is recommended.

Information and registration

The price includes lunch, technical support and the use of equipment.

The price for this workshop is:
€ 450 incl. VAT if your employer pays for you.
€ 300 incl. VAT if you are a freelancer.

Students

€ 200 incl. VAT if you are a student
Please note we only have 3 students places available. Please send us a copy of your student ID and a short motivation to the e-mail address mentioned below.
If you have questions or if you need more information please mail to:

Reader & Review

In January 2008 we held a very successful Hybrid Toys workshop. If you want to read more on what you can expect, read the Hybrid Toys workshop report.

On the topics of this and related workshops, a special collection of articles and project reviews is made.
You can find the reader here.

See also

Hybrid Toys
Designing Hybrid Wearables