Our latest newsletter and press articles

May 2021

TDL working group

A working group has been established under the leadership of Professor Felix Tan, Associate Dean Research, to determine the lab’s future directions. Since its inception, the lab has had a three-fold remit: Education including student support, short courses and workshops; Commercial engagement including product development, sampling and small-scale production; Research including postgraduate student and research staff support, and collaboration with commercial partners. The initial focus of the group will be concerned with the lab’s inclusion in specific programmes of study and/or minor papers, and the development of research groups within the university, particularly related to interdisciplinary textile projects.

Students present at International Virtu-Wool Research Conference

Two AUT postgraduate students presented their research at the recent Virtu-Wool conference, hosted by Agresearch. PhD student Mitali Nautiyal, is carrying out research into the New Zealand knitwear sector and presented her findings on the impact of Covid-19 on the wool knitwear sector. Master of Creative Technologies student, Sam Wanless, presented his work on the acoustic properties of wool. Sam was the recipient of a master’s scholarship from Palliser Ridge, a prominent sheep and beef station located in the Wairarapa District.

^{Postgraduate students Mitali Nautiyal (left) and Sam Wanless (right) presented their research at the recent Virtu-Wool conference}

Farewell to TDL colleague

Senior Lecturer in Creative Technologies and TDL management group colleague, Donna Cleveland, has taken up a position at RMIT Vietnam where she will be heading up the fashion design programme at the Saigon South campus.  Donna began her studies in Textile Design in 2010 before progressing onto her honour’s degree and PhD, which she completed in 2017.  She began her teaching career at AUT the following year, initially in the Art and Design School before moving to Creative Technologies, where she became Programme Director.  Donna has always been a strong advocate of the lab and her enthusiasm for all things textile will be missed by her fellow members of the management group.

M. M. Linen design competition

Designers and students alike are invited to submit their entries for the M.M. Linen design competition being hosted by this Christchurch based company. The theme for this year’s competition is botanicals and florals paired with animals and/or birds. Entries close on 31 July.

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Mid-year short courses and workshops

Limited places are still available for our 2021 short courses and workshops. Registrations can be made via the Textile and Design Lab website. The courses are run over 2 consecutive days and create opportunities to network with like-minded people. Subjects on offer are as follows:

• Introduction to Textiles
• International Textile Development and Sourcing (November only)
• Photoshop Basics for Textile Design
• Digital Textile Design – Repeating Patterns
• Knitwear Design
• 3D Visualisation and Concept Development
• Introduction to Woven Textiles – Theory and Design
• Introduction to Woven Textiles – Practical Sessions
• E-Textiles