Computational Fashion Master Class

Eyebeam and Shapeways partnered to produce the first Computational Fashion Master Class hosted at NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering in July 2014. In this ten-day intensive workshop ten professionals in the fields of fashion, engineering, media arts, and interactive design learned, experimented, and collaboratively created work that interrogates the emerging modes of digital textiles modeled directly on the body.  Through the use of 3D printing, the program explored new advances in computational design, focusing on the formation of digital materials. Different approaches for pattern generation and textile operations were explored in the quest to develop “matter that moves.”

Participants gained proficiency in a range of tools and methods relevant to current commercial and artistic practices, as well as instruction in 3D printing and digital fabrication processes. The ten students worked in groups, applying their skills to the collaborative creation and production of printed wearables. As part of their process, they developed physical prototypes with the support of FormLabs’ desktop 3D printer.

Four projects were developed that combined 3D printing with traditional fashion design techniques. Each piece functions as an extension or augmentation of the body, exploring concepts such as second skin, performative textiles, as well as responsive and kinetic structures.

The projects will be presented publicly this September during New York Fashion Week. Please stay tuned for more details by signing up for the Computational Fashion mailing list.

Computational Fashion is an Eyebeam initiative bringing together artists, fashion designers, scientists, and technologists to explore emerging ideas and develop new work at the intersection of fashion and technology. Computational Fashion consists of research fellowships, panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions. The lead consultant is Dr. Sabine Seymour, owner of Moondial and professor of Fashionable Technology at Parsons The New School for Design. Computational Fashion is supported in part by The Rockefeller Foundation Cultural Innovation Fund.

Program Partners

Shapeways.com is the world’s leading 3D Printing marketplace and community. We harness 3D Printing to help everyone make and share designs with the world, making product design more accessible, personal, and inspiring. On Shapeways, individuals can make, buy and sell their own products. By providing a platform for our community members to share ideas and gain access to cutting edge technology, we’re bringing personalized production to everyone, whether you’re already designing in 3D or are looking to find something just right. We 3D Print everything on-demand, which means that every order is customized and personalized.

NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering is a comprehensive school of engineering, applied sciences, technology and research, and is rooted in a 158-year tradition of invention, innovation and entrepreneurship. The institution, founded in 1854, is the nation’s second-oldest private engineering school. In addition to its main campus in New York City at MetroTech Center in downtown Brooklyn, it also offers programs at sites throughout the region, around the globe and remotely through online learning. The NYU School of Engineering is an integral part of NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU Shanghai, and the NYU Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP) in downtown Brooklyn.

CNL Mannequins manufactures custom designed mannequins, torsos, busts, display accessories including heads, hands and feet for major retail chains world wide. It is the best kept secret in Visual Merchandising. We are the brand you see at Guess?, Adidas, Reebok, Nieman-Marcus and many many more retail chain stores. We specialize in premium quality builds with seamless seams and great durability in styles our customer design. If you can dream it, we can build it!

Formlabs designs and manufactures powerful and accessible digital fabrication tools for designers, engineers, and artists. It was founded by a team of engineers and designers from the MIT Media Lab and Center for Bits and Atoms, and launched in 2012 in a record-breaking $3M Kickstarter campaign. Its first product, the Form 1, shipped in 2013.

Instructors:

Arthur Young-Spivey

Presenters & Guest Critics:

Sabine Seymour

Gabi Asfour

Kathlin Argiro

Shaeffer Haitsma