eTextiles & Wearables Light Diffusion Box

Light Diffusion Box

45-60 min

Ages 8+

What Will You Learn?

When using lights on a fashion piece to help tell a story, the elements of fashion design are still considerations. Of course the color of the lights is important, but light patterns and light diffusion affect the line, the shape and the texture of the piece.
A diffusion box helps designers see what lights will do in combination with various fabrics.

About This Adventure

Today, fashion designers are not limited to fabrics in their designs. Technology has become part of our story and is much more accessible. Young designers can use tech such as lights, sensors, and microcontrollers to tell their stories.

In this adventure, you will experience and experiment as we go through the MakeFashion Edu process to support campers as they:

learn – about the elements of fashion and circuits
design – a story and the wearable
construct – a fashion tech piece using recyclable materials and lights
exhibit – be seen! Our favorite medium is the runway.

You will be able to support your designers as they find their voices and tell their own stories through fashion pieces they create and share.

This adventure is divided into several sections, each with its own projects. The bolded project denotes the page you are on. The arrows mark the section you are in.

Storytelling with Fashion

Using Circuits in Fashion

Using Elements of Fashion Design

>>> Design Challenges <<<

Exhibiting Student Work

Build the Box

Step 1

Leaving a 1.5″-2″ frame around the edge of the lid, draw a rectangle.

Step 2

Cut out the rectangle, making a window.

Step 3

Put lights in the bottom of the box.

Step 4

Lay fabric across the box and put the lid on top to view the effects.

Step 5

To combine fabrics or to vary the distance from the lights, add another layer by cutting the box horizontally, parallel with the bottom. Put fabric across the box and stack the cut part on top and then fabric and lid. Like a layer cake.

Step 6

Change the fabric, change the lights, put 2 different fabrics together to see what effects will enhance your story!

If you have access to a laser cutter and would like something sturdier than the shoebox, here are files to make wood diffusion boxes. Designed for ⅛” plywood.

Light Diffusion Boxes

What's Next?

This diffusion box can give you ideas about how to better control the lights of LEDs. For the full MakeFashion Edu outfit design course click here!

For a ton of ideas on what to create, have a look at the amazing outfits that have already walked the MakeFashion Edu STEAM Runways, check out the YouTube playlist.

About MakeFashion

MakeFashion Edu is an international non-profit working to promote learning through fashion and tech. Through hosting workshops, reach-out and push-in activities, and larger events, MakeFashion Edu sees providing access for young designers to go to industry and project-based learning as one way to pull local communities together.

SteamHead makerspace is a network of people, spaces, and events who collaborate to improve equity in education as the path forward. We believe that by embracing design thinking and a maker-mindset, education can be more engaging and meaningful, and with that more effective in preparing students for success. Check their website for their courses.