Maggie Orth is an artist and technologist who designs and invents interactive textiles in Seattle, WA. She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of International Fashion Machines, Inc. Orth received her Ph.D. in Media Arts and Sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Media Lab in June 2001. Her academic work at the Media Lab (1997-2001) included patents, research, publications and design in new physical interfaces, wearable computing, electronic textiles, and interactive textile musical instruments. Prior to her academic work, she worked at the Media Lab as the Production Director and Designer of Tod Machover's massive, interactive musical production, Brain Opera (1996-1997). Before joining the Media Lab, she earned a Masters at MIT's Center for Advanced Visual Studies, and a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design. In 2007, she was named a USA Target Fellow. She is one of 50 recipients of the United States Artists unrestricted grants of $50,000 in recognition of their creative work. Her work has been widely exhibited at the Museum of Science, Boston, MA, NTT ICC, InterCommuncication Center, Japan, The National Textile Museum, Washington DC, The Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, The DeCordova Museum, MA, SIGGRAPH, and Ars Electronica, Linz, Austria.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)