The Textile and Design Lab (TDL), established in 2006, is a unique research and development centre at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) that supports design and innovation through the application of new fashion and textile technologies for the purposes of research, prototyping, product development, sampling, small-scale production, training and education.  The lab’s key objectives are to build research capability, contribute to the development and value creation of the NZ design and textile-related sectors and to promote knowledge sharing opportunities through workshops, short courses, master classes, symposia and conferences. The lab has invested in the expertise to utilise the latest Shima Seiki Apex 3 knit design systems, electronic intarsia and seamless knitting technology, digital textile and garment printing and an electronic felting machine. The lab is available to both AUT and external students, designers, commercial businesses and research organisations.

The TDL is one of five creative labs that form the Labs Network, which is managed by Colab for AUT’s Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies.