ANETTE MILLINGTON

Response Patterns Materials-Based Research

Response Patterns was undertaken with the support of the Center for Craft's Materials-Based Research Grant, 2019, to invent environmentally responsive embellishment methods for textile. The team leveraged interdisciplinary experience—Yuchen Zhang’s knowledge in material science and interactive technology, Travis Fitch’s methodical study of geometry and digital fabrication, and Anette Millington’s expertise in textile art and embellishment. Processes included silk screening with photochromic pigment, and 3D printing. We see this use of new materials and technology as a natural progression in textile craft - which has historically imbued place into both it’s materiality and imagination.

Researchers: Anette Millington, Travis Fitch, Yuchen Zhang

Research Assistants: Erin McQuarrie, Liz Sandler

3d Printing

In addition to silk screening, our research explored different deposition methods for textile embellishment, including digital printing, desktop 3D printing, and multi material 3D printing. These tests utilized direct textile 3D printing with Stratasys polyjet technology to demonstrate the 3D effects that can be achieved by combining our pattern designs with multi material 3D prints. Within this series was a consideration of movement and flexibility of the distribution of 3D printed material on the textile. The elevations of each 3D “bead” or “applique” was considered in relation to the movement of the plane of fabric. Multimaterial 3D printing allowed for designing with opacity and transparency, capturing the movement of light across the surfaces. 

3D Printing: Travis Fitch