Touchplay invites people to handle, move and position fabric discs through the design and structure of an embroidered fabric surface. Each disc has been digitally embroidered using colour, pattern and texture to encourage play and discovery through familiar actions.

Fabric surface and discs have been enhanced with conductive thread and resistors to create elements that can be recognised in an electronic circuit. Sound is triggered when discs create a connection in response to their position. The piece incorporates a small computer that stores sound clips and controls the behaviour of the piece that is activated in response to touch.

Touchplay: Crafting Material Affinities was exhibited in the design exhibition at ISWC (International Symposium of Wearable Computing), part of the 20th Ubicomp 2016 conference.