NOTE: Distance Lab became part of the Glasgow School of Art Innovation School in October 2010. This is a snapshot of the Lab's web site around July 2010 for historical reference.
Loopins are DIY craft kits designed to break
down gender stereotypes at younger ages by combining textiles and
electronics in a single learning experience.
Loopins are educational build-it-yourself toys that were designed
to introduce basic electronics concepts as well as basic textile
craft-making within a single learning experience. Traditional
stereotypes dictate that boys do electronics and girls do textiles.
The Loopin, however, combines these two domains and inspires the young
maker about the innovations that can be discovered at the edges and
intersections of traditional disciplines.
The finished Loopin's eyes light up when their conductive soft
ears are touched together, or to the ears of another Loopin. One of
two characters can be made from a single kit (the happy or grumpy
Loopin) and the toy can be taken apart and reassembled easily to
practice learning the circuitry.
Loopin provides a fun and accessible introduction to electronics, for
both boys and girls, and is a great, hands-on craft project, to
be enjoyed by all the family.
Commercial availability
Loopins have been licensed for manufacturing and sale to Distance
Lab's first spin-off company, Lost Values. Customers
shopping at the Lost Values online boutique can customise
the colors of the Loopins they purchase and order special holiday
editions. Lost Values also offers Loopins wholesale to retail
outlets. The growing list of retailers stocking Loopins includes Magma and the Saatchi Gallery. The
product is CE-marked.
Loopin workshops
In addition to producing the Loopin DIY kit, Distance Lab and Elena
Corchero have delivered numerous Loopin workshops at schools, science
festivals, and other events.