Rather than using a talking stick or speaking staff to resolve issues and improve group communication, this inflatable suit lets people have their say. Developed by Zoe Padgett and Gerardo Guerrero, Expanded Discourse is a project that uses billowy white suits to mediate difficult conversations, meetings, counseling or other tense situations.
The suits are outfitted with small fans, audio sensors, light sensors and Arduino controllers. When someone wants to talk, his or her inflatable suit will expand with air. As the person speaks the suit will deflate. A white plastic piece activates the suit and acts like a talking stick.
Padgett and Guerrero are both students working towards their Master's in media design from the Art Center College of Design in California.
Communicative Inflatable Suits
Expanded Discourse Uses White Billowy Outfits Like a Talking Stick
Trend Themes
1. Inflatable Wearable Technology - This trend offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the fashion and tech industries by combining fashion with technology to create interactive and communicative wearable devices.
2. Group Communication Tools - This trend provides disruptive innovation opportunities in the communication and teamwork industries by introducing new tools and methods to enhance group discussions and resolve conflicts.
3. Interactive Mediation Solutions - This trend presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the counseling and conflict resolution industries by introducing innovative ways to mediate difficult conversations and tense situations.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The fashion industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by incorporating inflatable wearable technology into their designs, creating unique and interactive fashion experiences.
2. Technology - The tech industry can leverage the concept of inflatable wearable technology to develop new and innovative gadgets that enhance communication and interaction.
3. Communication - The communication industry can benefit from disruptive innovations that provide new tools and methods for effective group communication and conflict resolution, such as the use of inflatable suits for mediating difficult conversations.