Professors Nancy Powell, Traci May-Plumlee, and Vita Plume of the Anni Albers Scholars Program at NCSU presented research papers at the recent "Creativity: Designer Meets Technology" Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This international conference held at Philadelphia University included textile researchers, fiber artists, architects, CAD specialists, industry representatives and educators from the US, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Scotland, England, and Wales. www.PhilaU.edu/continuinged/creativitycon

Jack Lenor Larsen was the Keynote Speaker on "How Creativity Can Again Make America A Producing, Exporting Nation." Larsen, leader in the contract furnishings field over the last 50 years, is the founder of the Jack Lenor Larsen Design firm, a noted author, global collector, and one of the world’s foremost authorities on contemporary crafts. Mr. Larsen reflected on the development of the textile industry and the move in the future beyond cut and sewing of soft goods. Noting the creation of pantyhose as one of the modern examples of technology and creativity, Mr. Larsen challenged the design group to use new technologies to form permanent membranes instead of pieced apparel.

Mr. Larsen also recognized that conversion or sourcing, not direct manufacturing, is the current and growing situation in the U.S. industry. He stated that this type of outsourced mass production would require ease of storage and shipping from global points. He also encouraged the designers to use technology as a tool to achieve important aesthetic and performance characteristics such as the touch or hand of a product.
www.techexchange.com/thelibrary/kerry/creativity.html

Professor Powell presented "Whole Garment Knitting as a Design Evaluation Tool for Performance Fibers." Powell’s research shared methods of bringing new products such as fibers and yarns to market in a more efficient and effective manner by supplying actual seamless garments to the retailer for review.

Dr. May-Plumlee presented her latest research on "Virtual Technologies: Shaping the Future of Textile Product Design" revealing the potential role of technology for virtual draping, sampling and product design for better fit, cost effectiveness, and improved efficiencies of communication and product development.

Vita Plume of the College of Design presented her recent woven jacquard work reflecting "Concept + Technology.” Plume’s creative work revealed her analysis of the conceptual aspects of the artist/creator and its relationship to the technology.

Cathy Treadaway of the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, Wales who presented “Digital Creativity: The Impact of Digital Imaging Technology on Printed Textile and Surface Pattern Design” extended her stay in America to visit the NCSU College of Textiles Digital Design Lab and interview Anni Albers Scholars Professor Susan Brandeis concerning her digital print work.

Zane Berzina of The London Institute shared the research she has done using human skin as both an aesthetic and functional model to create innovative design solutions in “Skin Stories: Charting and Mapping the Skin.”

Many museums are now opening their fashion and costume collections to a virtual audience as exemplified in Kathleen Martin’s “The Drexel Digital Museum Project: Historic Costume Collection”. http://digimuse.cis.drexel.edu

Terence Kavanaugh, Dean of Faculty Social Sciences and Humanities, Loughborough University, England, has been at the forefront in developing graduate programs which encourage design research. Considering the future of textiles, Kavanaugh focused on the combination of innovative design with emerging technologies, such as laser centering of a three dimensional object.

Other presentations of particular interest included digital printing, CO² photon laser textile finishing, smart textiles, creativity, virtual architecture, education and career development. Exhibitors included Ned Graphics, Lectra Systems, Inc., DuPont, EAT Inc., Pointcarre USA, Testfabrics, Inc., and Computer Integrated Textile Design Association.

College of Textiles
P.O. Box 8301
Raleigh, NC 27695-8301
Telephone: (919) 515-6646
FAX: (919) 515-3733
JTATM Privacy Policy

Last Site Revision:
May 5, 2004