The Textiles Research Group, The School of the Arts, Loughborough University is committed to understanding and progressing textiles practice and research. Expertise encompasses a diverse range of traditional and non-traditional approaches, and our research develops from a fundamental understanding and core knowledge of materials and specialist processes. We are dedicated to encouraging dialogue and collaboration between practitioners using traditional and new technologies, the industrial sector, textile manufacturing and engineering and other textile and non-textile related art and design areas.
Research Areas/Contexts
- Industry We are committed to working with industry both nationally and internationally. Members of the group exhibit regularly at international trade fairs providing innovative design solutions and high level design consultancy for fashion and interiors (Jan Shenton, Tina Frank). We also undertake bespoke research projects for industry through investigating new technologies and materials alongside the use of traditional hand skills. We are interested in pursing this area further through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
- Education The group is dedicated to research led teaching and pedagogic development within textiles (Futurescan). Current projects relate to the role of drawing within textile design education and practice (Drawing for textile applications, 6767, Kerry Walton, Dan Heath), and the value of traditional and new technologies in textile education (TRIP). Other research in this area embraces the construction of experiential knowledge through immersive practice and the integration of craft making in academic research, the result of which is aimed at teaching development (Nithikul Nimkulrat).
- Technology and Craft The School of Art and Design houses a range of contemporary textile technologies. This, alongside cross – disciplinary collaboration with scientific expertise and facilities within other Loughborough University departments, enables innovative textile outcomes which embrace high technology, traditional hand skills and aesthetic excellence. We currently have a strong focus on laser processing (Laser Dye Techniques for Textile Design and Coloration, Heritage Cashmere and Laser Processing, Cutting Edge, Janette Matthews, Kerri Wallace). Other research areas include jacquard weaving (Emma Wood), nonwovens (Faith Kane) and three dimensional textiles (Rachel Philpot, Nitikul Nimkulrat). Outcomes include new materials and textiles processes alongside design collections and fine art textiles.
- Social, Cultural, Historical and Philosophical In addition, the group is concerned with social, cultural, historical and philosophical readings of textiles. We engage in theoretical, practice-based and curatorial work that addresses current issues including sustainability (Faith Kane) well-being (Jan Bowman) and histories of cloth (Pennie Alfrey, Val Beattie).
- DUCK Journal for Research in Textiles and Textile Design
Our commitment to understanding and progressing textiles practice and research has led to the establishment of DUCK - an open access peer reviewed online journal for research in textiles and textile design. Duck provides an opportunity to engage in debate around textiles and textile design encompassing a range of approaches, disciplines and outcomes.
Textile Thinking for Sustainable Materials
A networking event bringing together textile designers, material scientists and product designs to explore the application of textile thinking to developments in sustainable materials.
2nd – 3rd May 2012, a website documenting the project to follow
http://ttsm.lboro.ac.uk/
TRIP»
DUCK »
Drawing for Textile Applications
Art Design Media Teaching Fellowship Award (ADMTFS)
Art Design Media Teaching Fellowship Scheme 2010
Daniel Heath, was awarded fellowship funding for a pedagogical research project called “Drawing for Textile Applications” in September 2010. The project is currently underway (due for completion in October 2011) and will provide an online, interactive resource enabling student engagement with specific drawing practices within the Textiles specialism. The resource will utilise existing Virtual Learning tools such as Le@rn.
http://www.adm.heacademy.ac.uk/awards/art-design-media-teaching-fellowship-scheme-admtfs/2010-11/daniel-heath
Laser Dye Techniques for Textile Design and Coloration
We are currently undertaking this project with the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) through an AHRC funded Collaborative Doctoral Award. The project is being undertaken by Kerri Wallace and is jointly supervised between the School of the Arts, Department of Chemistry, Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and the SDC.
The aim of the project is to explore the design potential of a new laser dye technique and to establish it as a commercially robust creative tool. The process suggests several new decorative and technical design opportunities, ecological and cost advantages in comparison to traditional processes that achieve similar design effects.
Society of Dyers and Colourists»
Cutting Edge Symposium»
Futurescan
Futurescan: mapping the territory is a new book produced by the ftc, Association of Courses in Fashion & Textiles, following the Futurescan conference in Liverpool , 17th – 18th November 2009. The conference provided the opportunity to stimulate debate around the scope of fashion and textiles current initiatives, global perspectives and to consider future directions, bringing together educators, researchers and industry professionals. The book offers informed and expert views from a range of perspectives, including keynote presentations and peer reviewed academic research papers. Also included are abstracts of new and emerging research presented at the conference. It is co-edited by Kerry Walton, Textiles Research Group, The School of the Arts Loughborough University
Title: Futurescan: Mapping the territory
ISBN number 978 1 907382 30 7
‘Mapping the territory’ Research Project
In addition to the conference and book, research was commissioned by the Association of Fashion and Textiles Courses (http://www.fashion-textiles.org.uk/) to better understand the nature and scope of fashion and textile provision in the Higher Education sector in the UK. It sought to identify how provision has changed, approaches and strategies that are adopted and future opportunities and challenges. It was conducted by Janette Matthews, Textiles Research Group, The School of the Arts, Loughborough University and reported in July 2010.
Heritage Cashmere & Laser Processing
The project took place between December 2008 and March 2009, and was funded by a MADE (Materials & Design Exchange) Spark Award. This was collaboration between staff in the School of the Arts, Kerry Walton, Janette Matthews, Wendy Maw and Heritage Cashmere of Halifax. Heritage specialise in the creative design, development and supply of bespoke cashmere accessories and knitwear to luxury fashion houses, prestigious brands and quality retailers all over the world, and were looking to develop laser processing of their cashmere products.
The objective of the project was to create textiles with ‘designed in’ qualities which would respond to laser finishing, creating innovative 3D textured and patterned fabrics. There had been little research into the development of textiles constructed specifically for laser application and cashmere products and where it has been applied, drawbacks such as a weakening in the end product and heavy scorch marks on the material following application of the laser technology were problematic. The project yielded some extremely exciting results for both the School of the Arts and Heritage Cashmere.
http://www.heritage-cashmere.co.uk/
