Robin Stethem

How can a wearable provide lasting meaning in a world where we no longer hunt or forage, and in a society where rigid hierarchies have become fluid? Spark is a fresh look at how to create lasting value through the introduction of an extrinsic gesture to a pair of objects that have existed relatively unchanged throughout recorded history.

The spark app works with the bracelet and collar to create a network through hotspots, smart walks, and profiles that can be shared with the spark community if members are looking to meet new people or arrange walks as a group. This functionality (including the screen above) was represented in a series of excellent mockups by Ryan White.

Spark is all about bringing people together. The Spark Band and Collar work in concert to create communities and enhance users lives through the everyday activity of walking your dog.

For this project I had the pleasure of working alongside Cindy Chen, Vivian Lin, JJ Mah, and Ryan White; we began the project by asking what a wearable could do to enhance modern life in a meaningful way. One of the most important elements we identified in modern life is creating connections which strengthen communities and individuals, a support network provides the infrastructure necessary for success and happiness in a fast-moving world. Many of the most successful products available today facilitate this in some way and Facebook is the number one application on smartphones in North America as a result. We reasoned that if we could enhance communication and interaction to create a community through our wearable this would bring lasting meaning to the lives of our users.