Interactive Textiles: An Interdisciplinary Design Approach

Abstract

          With the advancement of scientific knowledge and evolving demands of consumers, there is a growing need for products which enable the seamless integration of technology into daily environments. Due to their tactile familiarity, interactive textiles with embedded technology can be found in a wide range of products, from fashion to interiors. Both aesthetics and functionality are critical to the creation of such smart textiles. Although the fundamental approach for design and technology may differ, the integration of both distinct areas will be mutually supportive and beneficial to the end product. Conventionally, design practitioners are more concerned with the concept and aesthetics while scientists are focused at showcasing the technical advancements. An interdisciplinary approach will aid the development of products which possess both aesthetics and functionality. This paper aims to study how interactive textiles have been applied within the contexts of healthcare, fashion and interior design. The research will analyze how scientists and designers approach the design process. The researcher’s own design practice in photonic textiles will be investigated as the main case study. It synthesizes design and technology approaches to develop an inter-disciplinary design framework for photonic technology approaches to develop an inter–disciplinary design framework for photonic textiles. This paper seeks to make a contribution towards existing knowledge about the creative design process of interactive textiles.