DEFCON is one of the oldest and largest computer hacker conferences in the world. While the conference is most famous for its presentations and papers on hardware and software security, there is also a fantastically inventive sub-community known as Badgelife. 

Badgelifers create functional circuit boards that are worn in place of conventional conference name tags. These badges have a myriad of high-tech features, including animated light displays, wireless badge-to-badge communication, and playable video games. In addition to fun and flashy behavior, badges can also make socio-political commentary; at Queercon 2017, the badges featured an electrical connector that “mates to itself,” allowing participants to link multiple badges into complex geometric structures while making a playful reference to sexual identity. 

Fellow hacker Nick Bontrager and I developed a badge that non-engineers can assemble and program in the context of a single, simple workshop, like the one we organized at the College Art Association in 2019. These events spread awareness of the growing accessibility of industrial production processes and embedded computing. The project files are also open source, so that individuals and institutions can download, remix, and redistribute the design. You can also learn how to use EAGLE, the PCB layout software used to design and fabricate our badge, with this video tutorial series I recorded for LinkedIn Learning.

Thanks to:

• Evan Mackay from Queercon, who offered excellent mentorship on this project.
• Drew Fustini for the OSH Park coupon codes and general enthusiasm.
• Columbia College Chicago. This project was funded in part with a Faculty Development Grant from CCC.