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INTERACTIVE / 2021.12

Galaxy Beat.

A sound-responsive garment combining optical fibers, Arduino, and sound sensing to explore how music can become visible on the body.

Galaxy Beat — the illuminated fiber-optic garment on a mannequin.
FIG. 01 / GALAXY BEAT Galaxy Beat — the illuminated fiber-optic garment on a mannequin.
PROJECT TYPE
Team project
DATE
2021.12
MEDIUM & METHODS
Interactive Wearables / Arduino / Sound Sensing / Fiber Optics
01 / CONCEPT

What if clothing could respond to music?

At live music events, glow sticks and illuminated accessories let audiences participate visually. Galaxy Beat brings light into the garment itself, exploring a connection between the wearer and the surrounding sound.

The project asks how the body might become a visible expression of music.

Concept sketches connecting music, the body, and illuminated clothing.
FIG. 02Concept sketches connecting music, the body, and illuminated clothing.
02 / SYSTEM

From sound to light

The team integrated a sound sensor and an Arduino control system into the garment prototype. Sound provides the input; the controller drives the light source; optical fibers carry the light across the garment.

Sound sensing, Arduino control, and the fiber-optic lighting system.
FIG. 03Sound sensing, Arduino control, and the fiber-optic lighting system.
  1. 01

    Listen

    A sensor captures sound input.

  2. 02

    Respond

    Arduino controls changes in the light source.

  3. 03

    Illuminate

    Optical fibers distribute light through the garment.

03 / MAKING

Building a wearable prototype

Garment construction, fiber-optic material, and electronics come together in one prototype. The making process explores how the fibers can be arranged and assembled as part of a wearable form.

Assembling the fiber-optic elements.
FIG. 04Assembling the fiber-optic elements.
A drawing of the fiber arrangement and light connections.
FIG. 05A drawing of the fiber arrangement and light connections.
04 / LIGHT STUDIES

One garment, changing light

Different lighting states reveal layers and textures in the garment. These photographs show the overall form and details of the illuminated fibers.

Light travelling through the optical fibers.
FIG. 06Light travelling through the optical fibers.
Illuminated texture at the garment surface.
FIG. 07Illuminated texture at the garment surface.
The wearable prototype in a blue lighting state.
FIG. 08The wearable prototype in a blue lighting state.
05 / FURTHER QUESTIONS

Beyond the first prototype

Further iterations could explore the relationship between sound and light, wearing comfort, power supply, and use in live music environments.

06 / WEARABLE VIEW

Light on the body

An additional photograph from the original project documents the garment being worn.

Galaxy Beat — the illuminated garment being worn.
FIG. 09Galaxy Beat — the illuminated garment being worn.
Galaxy Beat — another lighting state.
FIG. 10Galaxy Beat — another lighting state.
Watch on YouTube ↗
DEMO / 01Galaxy Beat — sound-responsive garment demonstration.
View demonstration on YouTube ↗