In Fabrication, we investigate how information
can be integrated into textile as an active part of the aesthetic pattern.
By integrating information technology, we are developing dynamic patterns
in the textile that change over time. Where traditional computer displays
rely on textual information, we explore how an aesthetic and dynamic
pattern could act as a means of communicating information.
This projects acts as a focussed study of the visual communication potentials
through the integration of IT into textile pattern. The outcome will
be a range of dynamic materials which will act as an inspiration and
practical resource for future application development.
 |
 |
Pre-study
Lies In a pre-study to Fabrication, the notion of 'lies' was taken as
as a vehicle for investigating the mapping (or re-mapping) of human perceptions
and mental models in digitally-enhanced materials and everyday artefacts.
Hanna Landin (IDC | Chalmers and Interactive Institute)
Link
to Pre-Study website
|
|
|
Material studies
In Fabrication, we work with dynamic properties of textile materilas –
such as thermochromic, electroluminescent, and conductive properties –
and mix them with more traditional materials like cotton, to create a
fabric where the pattern can change over time. We are experimenting with
various ways of integrating computational properties into textile, including
screen printing, hand-woven samples, and sewing.
 |
||
 |
Design examples
In order to understand what kinds of information could be visualized and
encorporated into daily life, Fabrication develops design examples of
how dynamically patterned materials could be used. These may develop further
as full applications or act as inspiration to projects such as Reach.
In sketching possibilities for information visualization, we explore how
digital information from electronic devices can affect a traditional non-digital
material. From this, we have developed examples of how mobile phones and
PDAs could generate abstract patterns in traditional objects. This poses
implications both for reinterpretation of familiar everyday objects and
clothing, as well as explore the potential for abstract pattern communication
to spark reflection and interpretation over time.
The phone bag is a bag that changes pattern when a mobile
phone sends or receives data (not only SMS or phone calls, but also connections
to the base station or blue tooth / IR connections with other phone).
By using this invisible information that surrounds us, we create an aesthetic
pattern – we use the textile to visualise information about the data
traffic around the phone. This could pose implications on the perception
of a user and the relationship between a user and their mobile phone,
for instance a user might start to decide when the phone will get their
attention and not the other way around.
The apron has a pattern that changes or grows depending
on the amount of data in a user's PDA that is created versus the amount
of data that could be classified as trash. The digital information creates
the pattern upon the apron, so instead of the usual holes made through
wear-and-tear, a pattern is created by the "trash" information. This has
potentials for examining the feeling of use – in this case, feeling
of trash – with digital devices versus real-world devices.
Fabrication team
Hanna Landin and Linda Worbin