MATT BOCH
Age 29
Occupation Director of research and development, Harmonix
Residence Somerville
CHRISTINA XU
Age 24
Occupation Chancellor of the Institute on Higher Awesome Studies and cofounder of ROFLcon
Residence Somerville
How do gamers and other people in technology signal their work in their clothing?
CHRISTINA It’s unfortunate — so much “Internet fashion” seems to be relegated to joke T-shirts, which is too bad because a) everyone already has enough T-shirts and b) they’re so unsubtle.
MATT Wearing your phone on your belt is gauche, and carrying around a game consul is itself a little odd, but wearing your technology on your sleeve is kind of what everyone’s trying to do.
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CHRISTINA I prefer items where if someone sees it and understands the joke, great, but if they don’t get it, they’re not alienated. I wear a lot of pieces that look pixilated. I like things that are geeky but that don’t scream “I’m a nerd!”
Matt, in helping to develop Harmonix’s Dance Central franchise, did you have much say in how the avatars looked?
Yeah, I made a lookbook for the art team to interpret in terms of both the individual characters and how they fit within the world. It’s often commented that many of the characters have the same accessories as me, but I take style cues from them, too. It goes back and forth.
Do you two stand out in tech crowds?
MATT Yeah, especially at conventions. People ask whether I’m showing for a particular product or something. They find me cartoonish.
CHRISTINA At conferences I need to strike a balance: I have to be somewhat formal, but the reason that I’m ever even invited is that they want my youthful perspective, so I need to wear something more fun. — Alice Gregory
Interview has been condensed and edited. E-mail comments to magazine@globe.com.
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