Final Project Idea | Geek Couture: Fashionable Jewelry for the Unabashed She-Geek

For my final project I would like to investigate the wearable technology space, specifically concentrating on jewelry. I am intrigued by the idea of joining the two worlds of jewelry (inherently a very personal space) with world of technology and electronics (traditionally a very homogenous space, filled with mass-produced gadgets and sleek interfaces devoid of overt quirkiness or personality). Electronics of course are not always sleek and minimalist; generally, however, if a product caters to anyone it leans toward the gadget-loving [often-male] consumer by making them look like futuristic robots or fast cars. Geeks can even show their pride by wearing a watch made of legos or an R2-D2 decorated Droid—but these types of quirky renditions of technology are still clunky and aimed at a similar market. Namely, the guys wearing [admittedly awesome] retro SNES t-shirts with some pretty awesome battle stories from the hours they’ve spent either coding or playing video games.

While I would never begrudge these fine gentlemen their programmable wristwatches, I want to embrace the group of people in the middle, stuck between the worlds of outright geekdom and fashion—she-geeks who want to wear their techy-love on their sleeve, but in a way that doesn’t compromise their personal sense of style. By modifying existing jewelry as well as constructing some custom pieces, I would love to make a collection of jewelry that elicits the same geeky squeal, but from an edgier perspective. Things like USB pendant necklaces and bracelets, or interactive necklaces and rings; items that aren’t necessarily made out of shiny plastic and blinking lights but which house the same fun gadgets guys get to carry around in their pockets. The bonus is that these pieces wouldn’t detract from the user’s overall image—they would actually carry their own weight as a tool for self-expression.

A potential element of the project would be a website for the jewelry line. I have yet to decide whether it would be more of an exercise in creating a culture around the feel of the jewelry through branding and user contribution, or whether it would be something more like a blog showing users how to create their own versions of the items I create (which could potentially then allow them to post their own projects). I have faith that further research will shed some light on the issue once I get the jewelry concepts off the ground.