Development of Open-Source Arduino Apparel Incorporating the Symbolism of Gangneung

Gangneung, located on the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula, is a city renowned for its cultural and natural heritage. It is home to the UNESCO-designated Intangible Cultural Heritage event, the Gangneung Danoje Festival, and is surrounded by stunning mountain ranges and expansive coastal landscapes. The city has consistently worked to preserve and promote both its tangible and intangible heritage through various festivals and cultural events. Although many festivals and events contribute to the revitalization of local culture, tourism, and economic development, apparel that effectively communicates and promotes Gangneung’s unique identity remains scarce. Therefore, the development of clothing that both highlights Gangneung’s symbolic imagery and enhances the visibility of its identity has become an essential task. In response to this need, the purpose of this study is to design and produce apparel emphasizing Gangneung’s symbolism through the integration of open-source Arduino<br/>technology. The research process consisted of the following steps: (1) selecting images representing Gangneung’s symbolism; (2) applying Arduino and LED technologies to these symbolic images; (3) designing apparel that incorporates Arduino and LEDs to emphasize Gangneung’s identity; and (4) producing the apparel based on the designs. The outcomes include two sets of apparel: one women’s vest and one men’s vest in a neo-traditional Hanbok style, and two everyday-style vests/jumpers with detachable sleeves, enabling them to function as both vests and jumpers. The symbolic images applied in the designs were Gangneung’s brand mark, city symbol, and the Gangneung Danoje Festival character. To enhance the visibility of these symbolic images, LED light effects were incorporated.