CraftTech : hybrid frameworks for smart photonic materials

Abstract

CraftTech is a portfolio of work that explores how interdisciplinary design processes affect the creation of smart materials that are used as alternative communication platforms. Utilising photonic textiles and polymeric optical fibres (POFs) as mediums, this research explores hybrid design frameworks that utilise interdisciplinary approaches. The process of ‘making’ is critical to this practice based research. It involves explicitly studying the practitioner’s perspective when synergising design and technology. The research is based on studies conducted in two international collaborative workshops that brought together practitioners across many disciplines (textiles, fashion, millinery, electronic engineering and textile technology) to experiment, develop and create. The research studies how hybrid design processes adapt, refine and improve new technology and vice versa. The research sets out to investigate: • How practitioners from different disciplines develop hybrid design processes to design smart materials and products. • How hybrid approaches will bridge the gap between traditional craft and technology. • How design and technology can be integrated within a physical artifact to develop alternative communication platforms. This research documents and studies the balance of interdisciplinary methods and processes via design practice conducted in two workshops at the Institute of Textiles and Clothing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Royal College of Art in London on 11-15 September 2017 and 24-27 November 2017, respectively. This portfolio was reviewed by Annie Warburton, Creative Director, Crafts Council (UK). The exhibitions are held at The Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences on 6-11 March 2018 and Victoria and Albert Museum, UK on May 2018.