Interaction Design x Research
Tim Moesgen is an interaction designer and doctoral researcher based at Aalto University in Finland. His research focuses on the design and development of haptic, thermal, and multi-sensory interfaces + experiences (e.g., in the contexts of VR, rehabilitation and well-being). With his research on such emerging technologies, he is also interested in advancing speculative methods + futures thinking to inspire the imagination and anticipation of inclusive and empathic futures.
With a background in research + design, Tim has collaborated in multidisciplinary contexts in Germany, the United States, and Finland.
With a background in research + design, Tim has collaborated in multidisciplinary contexts in Germany, the United States, and Finland.
︎ Key Interests: Thermal + Haptic Experiences ︎ Wearable Technology ︎ Embodied Interaction Design ︎ Virtual Reality ︎ Speculation + Futures Thinking
Projects
Teaching Smart Wearables
Textile Interfaces, Soft Electronics, e-Textiles
In the last six weeks we gave a hands-on course on smart wearables and e-textiles to Aalto University bachelor and master students from design, engineering and computer science. In this course, we taught how to create textile sensors from scratch that can be integrated into garments and clothing such as gloves or insoles for gesture and movement recognition (e.g., for sign language recognition, gaming or rehabilitation training).
The students took a textile-first approach by removing as many hard electronic components as possible (e.g., pre-made sensors, wires) and using soft, conductive fabrics and yarns instead. They fabricated their own pressure and stretch sensors through layering, laminating or knitting and stitched circuit traces with needle and yarn.
My observation is that teaching the basics of electricity and electronics through a hands-on approach with textile and soft materials made the fundamental ideas more “graspable”. By stitching circuits and switches students seemed to understand more tangibly how circuitry works and electricity flows - instead of using conventional wires and components that hide its conductive parts or pre-made buttons and sensors. With this, the students also reflected on wearability, modularity and washability.
My take away: A textile-lens (textiles are interconnected, layered and flexible) supported our pedagogical goals in a great way! 🧶🪡🧤
Teaching Team: Yu Xiao Emmi Pouta Sara Kutkova
Glove design by Mengshi Yang Yao Zhang Suyang Meng
The students took a textile-first approach by removing as many hard electronic components as possible (e.g., pre-made sensors, wires) and using soft, conductive fabrics and yarns instead. They fabricated their own pressure and stretch sensors through layering, laminating or knitting and stitched circuit traces with needle and yarn.
My observation is that teaching the basics of electricity and electronics through a hands-on approach with textile and soft materials made the fundamental ideas more “graspable”. By stitching circuits and switches students seemed to understand more tangibly how circuitry works and electricity flows - instead of using conventional wires and components that hide its conductive parts or pre-made buttons and sensors. With this, the students also reflected on wearability, modularity and washability.
My take away: A textile-lens (textiles are interconnected, layered and flexible) supported our pedagogical goals in a great way! 🧶🪡🧤
Teaching Team: Yu Xiao Emmi Pouta Sara Kutkova
Glove design by Mengshi Yang Yao Zhang Suyang Meng
Teaching one-week workshop on textile interfaces in Santiago de Chile
Textile Interactions, Soft Interfaces, Prototyping
As a part of the Finland-Chile joint training program in smart wearables, supported by the Team Finland Knowledge Program, Professor Yu Xiao and four other Aalto researchers (Emmi Pouta, Tim Moesgen, Sofia Guridi and Ramyah Gowrishankar) conducted a comprehensive workshop on smart wearables at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (PUC) from 14 to 18 October 2024.
The aim of the workshop was to teach students both design and engineering skills by learning about smart textiles and producing a project related to them. Professor Xiao and her research team also teach two courses on smart wearables at Aalto University.
The workshop included lectures and tutorials focusing on the fundamentals of electrical textiles, Arduino programming, and machine learning. More than 30 students actively participated in the workshop, with 10 student groups showcasing intriguing prototypes such as an e-textile-based dancing carpet, gaming gloves, and a hugging shirt. This successful collaboration with PUC marks an important step in strengthening future partnerships in the field of design and innovation for smart wearables.
The aim of the workshop was to teach students both design and engineering skills by learning about smart textiles and producing a project related to them. Professor Xiao and her research team also teach two courses on smart wearables at Aalto University.
The workshop included lectures and tutorials focusing on the fundamentals of electrical textiles, Arduino programming, and machine learning. More than 30 students actively participated in the workshop, with 10 student groups showcasing intriguing prototypes such as an e-textile-based dancing carpet, gaming gloves, and a hugging shirt. This successful collaboration with PUC marks an important step in strengthening future partnerships in the field of design and innovation for smart wearables.