Our latest newsletter and press articles

September 2020

Student success

Master of Creative Technologies student, Charles Johnson, was selected as a finalist for the pre-biennial World Textile Art Organisation’s competition held earlier this month. His entry comprised of reworked digital computer files that he manipulated into abstract imagery, which he termed his ‘digital waste’. The lab then digitally printed a series of images onto silk fabric, which were hung in his studio space. ‘On the last day of each month I take the unused and deleted files of that month into Photoshop to give them one last breath of life before obliteration - one last chance to prove their worth to me’, says Charles. ‘While mostly no longer legible or recognizable in their new form, the data’s purpose is stripped and assigned a new one, like the physical space on my hard drive will be once it is deleted permanently’, he adds.

^{Charles’ ‘digital waste’ printed onto silk fabric}

Knitted carbon nanotubes

The lab has committed to an internal research project involving the use of carbon nanotube yarns (CNTs) for the first time. Fellow researchers in AUT’s School of Engineering compared the electrical and thermal properties of conventional conductive yarns with those of CNT yarns before deciding to proceed with the project, which is intended for use in extreme climatic conditions.

Seamless AUT masks

The Textile and Design Lab has turned its hand to producing seamless knitted masks featuring an embroidered AUT logo, which are available to staff and students. Research Technician, Jyoti Kalyanji, started working on the project during the latest lockdown period trialing various fibre permutations before settling on a fine mercerised cotton and elastomeric yarn combination. The masks include a Lanaco Helix fine wool filter and nose wire and are available from the lab or via mail order.

^{Seamless knitted AUT face masks are available from the lab}

Future Fibres lab

AUT's School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences is developing advanced capability in Material and Fibre Science with the establishment of the Future Fibres Lab led by Associate Professor Xiaowen Yuan. The Textile and Design Lab staff welcomes this initiative and looks forward to the opportunity to work with Professor Yuan and her team. The Future Fibres Lab will be launched at AUT in late 2020.

Short courses and workshops deferred to October - November

Places are still available on our upcoming short courses and workshops. Details and dates are as follows:

• Introduction to Textiles: Thu 12 – Fri 13 November
• International Textile Development and Sourcing (Online Workshop): Thu 19 – Fri November
• Digital Textile Design – Repeating Patterns: Thu 19 – Fri 20 November
• E-Textiles: Thu 3 – Fri 4 December
• Knitwear Design: Sat 7 – Sun 8 November
• 3D Simulation and Concept Development: Sat 10 – Sun 11 October
• Photoshop Basics for Textile Design: Thu 12 – Fri 13 November
• Introduction to Woven Textiles: Thu 26 – Fri 27 November

Full details and registration