THE FUTURE OF WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR MILLENIALSALI ROSE VANOVERBEKE

PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN

DECEMBER 2012

Millenials expect wearable technology that is fashionable, multifunctional, augments digital and real life experience and connects their multi-media lifestyle

HYPOTHESIS

FORCES

SINGULARITY ECONOMICSTECHNOLOGY

-Millenials are a generation of technology multi-taskers & cram 10:45 hours of multimedia in to 7:38 hours each day (Kaiser Family Foundation’s Generation M2 survey)

-”Over half (53%) of 16- to 22-year-olds said they would rather give up their sense of smell than give up their technology.” (McCann World Group)

-Millenials expect their workplace to take advantage of and embrace technology.

-14 million wearable devices were shipped in 2011; by 2016 wearable tech will represent a minimum revenue opportunity of $6 billion (IMS research report)

FORCETECHNOLOGY

-”The event when the rate of technological change becomes human surpassing”

-Blurring of man and machine

-Computers are getting faster (Singularity: Kurzweil on 2045, TIME magazine)

-IBM super computer Watson defeated two Jeopardy champions in February 2011

-Singularity is expected by 2045 (Kurzweil)

-”The quality of artificial intelligence created will be about a billion times the sum of all the human intelligence that exists today.” (Kurzweil)

FORCESINGULARITY

-Experiencing inflation to minimize debt burden

-1.5% of World GDP is made of products that half in price every 18 months

-Constant pressure to create new and improved products every few months to occupy prime price points

-Inflation causes revenues of tech companies to rise & their earnings-per-share to surge

-The biggest beneficiaries of inflation are tech companies and those tied to them.

(The Impact of Computing)

FORCEECONOMICS

Driven by FORCES of technology, singularity, and economics. Fulfills consumer desire for multi-functional wearable technology. Recognizes consumer health consciousness & perceived social status living fit lifestyle. Integrates and enhances real life experience through technology. CODES: Health/Wellness , Networking/Community

ADIDAS MICOACH HEART-RATE MONITOR AND SUPERNOVA SPORTS BRA

Driven by FORCES of technology, singularity, and economics. Allows you to “feel what you’ve been missing. Incorporates technology to give consumer a more authentic role playing experience. Amplifies gaming intensity. CODES: Fantasy/Escapism, Networking/Community

3RD SPACE FPS GAMING VEST

Driven by FORCES of technology, singularity, and economics. Allows user to feel warmth, encouragement, support or love we feel when they receive hugs. Response to desire for more authentic and deeper relationships that technology often distracts from. CODES: Networking/Community

THE ‘LIKE-A-HUG’ FACEBOOK JACKET

Driven by FORCES of technology, singularity, and economics. Example of mind controlling technology that can be used to focus your mind, train your brain, improve thought control, and used to control apps and play games. Response to consumer desire for technology integration and multitasking from a single device. CODES: Community/Networking, Escapism/Fantasy

INTERAXON MUSE HEADBAND

-Not concerned with labels being barriers to their interests

-Highly connected with lifelong exposure to multiple communication and media technologies

-Openly embraces philosophies and aesthetics from a multitude of culture

-Early adopter of technology

-Loves gadgets

-Appreciates design, function, utility, heritage & transparency

-Educated, college graduate

SUBCULTUREPOST-GEEK

To enhance the always connected millenials experience wearable technology needs to be:

-Interactive

-Stylish

-Comfortable

-Cross functional

Millenials are budget conscious and looking for VALUE. If wearable technology can simultaneously meet these needs consumers feel they are getting more bang for their buck

OPPORTUNITYAUGMENTED APPAREL

Founded 1889 by Hamilton Carhart. Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. Focus on work wear with a high standard of excellence. Notorious for creating an innovative overall garment for railroad workers. A brand that stood the test of time. Have cotton production, denim mills & apparel facilities across USA, Canada, and Europe. Global premium work wear brand with rich heritage of developing rugged apparel for workers on and off the job.

CLIENTCARHARTT

-Millenials are always connected and desire apparel that integrates with their multiple technologies.

-Carhartt was founded with a focus on workwear, but we are no longer working on the railroad but working with technology.

-Focus on wearable technology that augments our work experience, desire for pleasure & ease, encourages networking, and supports an active lifestyle.

-Organize multitasking in to a singular interface

-Acknowledge growing desire for authentic experience and interactions

TREND INSIGHTSAUGMENTED WORK WEAR