Viewers’ sensations: Using skin sensor technology to assess wearable technology

Abstract

Wearable technology garments have been displayed for aesthetic evaluation in museums. With the additional multisensory cues in wearable technology garments such as digital sounds and LED lights, this study examined 44 museum visitors’ electrodermal activity (EDA) sensory responses to a wearable technology garment in a museum. Results support that apparel with music-only sensory cues (rather than lights-only, no music or lights and both music along with lights) created an enhanced sensory response due to viewers of the music-only garment having the highest EDA response after accounting for their baseline EDA. It is suggested that apparel designers and museum curators consider incorporating music and even music with lights into their designs for display at museums to promote enhanced sensory engagement for viewers. Conversely, it is not recommended that designs utilize lights-only in these designs without the presence of music.