SPRINT BRIEF

In Cultural Textiles, students will harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to embark on a virtual world tour, exploring the world through patterns and learning about the different values and meanings visually encoded in them.

Throughout this sprint, students will self-reflect and define their own life values to create patterned garments using AI to visualize their designed patterns. Then students will use hand-printing techniques for fabric to transfer these patterns onto fabric.

WHAT WE ARE MAKING

WHY WE ARE MAKING IT

Prints designed with AI-collaborator that reflect your identity, beliefs and values

To explore how to partner with AI as a collaborator and explore our own unique viewpoints in a creative way

Final Project Expectations

Students will harness AI to help refine their prints (Canva, Chatgpt, Craiyon)

Students will showcase their garments in a lookbook and fashion show

Students will create tote-bags (or any accessory/wearable) featuring hand-printed patterns that reflect their personal values, beliefs, and aspirations

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Studio Skills

Generative AI

Lo-Fidelity Prototyping

Storytelling

Printmaking

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Cultural Research + Reflection

Transfer printing

The design process will include those steps:

Work with an AI collaborator to refine the patterns you wish to stamp

؜Inspiration

؜Identity Exploration

AI Collaboration

A good example of signals are "the launch of chatGPT" or "the fall of the iconic tunnel tree redwood" and good examples of drivers would be "artificial intelligence" or "climate change"

Then, identify signals (glimpses of the future we already see today) and drivers (what made the signal possible)



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1 hr

Printing / Iterating

Consider the identity, beliefs and values you wish to communicate visually in your print

Examine precedents and global patterns imbued with cultural meaning

؜Trace your pattern on linoleum to make a stamp. Test patterns on paper then move to your laser cutting and 3d printing

SPRINT STEPS

5

Exhibition / Storytelling

؜Share your project with the class and explain the meaning behind it

2 hrs

؜2 hrs

؜10 hrs

؜2 hrs

Pattern-Design

Print-making

AI-Infused

SPRINT Preview

SPRINT MATERIALS

1st

Inspiration

؜In the the following slides, you'll find some Cultural Textile precedents - patterns from around the world and their symbolic significance.

Instructions

1. As a class, review the precedents in this slideshow
2. Choose 1 example from the Inspiration Slides (or a culture you find exciting) to research further using reputable websites to explore the cultural designs in more depth. Be prepared to share for a few minutes about what you learned in your research.
3. Create a sketch of your interpretation of two cultural patterns combined in an interesting way that creates a new meaning. Choose one Saudi Cultural pattern and one from another country.
4. Share your sketch and what you learned in your research!

Chinese Lang

Najd

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Islamic Art: Geometric Patterns

A common feature of Islamic art is the covering of surfaces covered with geometric patterns. This use of geometry is thought to reflect the language of the universe and help the believer to reflect on life and the greatness of creation.

So how is geometry seen to be spiritual?

1. Because circles have no end they are infinite - and so they remind Muslims that Allah is infinite.
2. Complex geometric designs create the impression of unending repetition, and this also helps a person get an idea of the infinite nature of Allah.
3. The repeating patterns also demonstrate that in the small you can find the infinite ... a single element of the pattern implies the infinite total.

Traditional Japenes Patterns

Japanese patterns come in many forms and all have a hidden meaning. Very much found on the kimono and other Japanese clothing, they are called wagara. Most of the traditional Japanese patterns dates back to the 8th century and are inspired by nature, of which the symbolism is very strong in Japanese culture.

In Japan, the pine tree occupies an important place. This tree remains green all year round, it symbolizes longevity, constancy and wisdom

Represented on many fabrics, the sakura flower symbolizes softness, kindness and acceptance of the transience of beauty.

The arabesques of this Japanese pattern represents a plant endlessly growing and spreading in many different directions

؜Mehndi (Henna) Designs

Designs vary from region to region and have different meanings for each culture. Meanings include good health, fertility, wisdom, protection and spiritual enlightenment. The most popular traditional use is tied closely with weddings and bridal preparation and these designs tend to be the most ornate. Depending on the culture, men may use it as well as women, usually for more symbolic purposes.

African henna patterns vary greatly depending on the region. Sometimes they include geometric shapes and abstract symbols.

Arabic henna designs are abstract and less dense with designs featuring graceful, usually large, floral and vine patterns on the hands and feet.

Indian mehndi involves fine, thin lines for lacy, floral, paisley patterns with lines and dots. Dense patterns cover entire hands, forearms, feet and shins.

African Culture: Adinkra Symbols

Adinkra are symbols originating in Ghana that contain meanings. These symbols are commonly found on fabrics, logos and pottery. 

2nd

Identity Exploration

Part 1

Part 2

In the the following section, you'll be exploring your values, beliefs, and identity in order to root your work in imagery that is important to you.

Instructions

1. In the center of your identity map put your name. Then, use spokes emerging from the center to name all of the various aspects of your identity. Feel free to cluster similar identities like "athlete, soccer player, team captain" in similar areas. Choose 8 of the identities that are important to you.
2. Take a piece of paper, fold it in to 8 sections. In each section, create detailed colored sketch that reflects a one of the identities that represents you.
3. Share your identity symbols with the class. Give feedback to one another. What do you like about one another's symbols?

3rd

AI Collaboration

؜AI generated symbol that represents students interest in gardening and tennis

Get read to collaborate with AI to help create simplified images that represent your identity. They will be used to create a pattern that's personal to you.

Instructions

1. Take clean and clear photographs of each of the symbols you drew in Part 2 of the previous step. Upload one at a time to Canva's AI tool (select up to 6 drawings, if working in groups, pick one of each so you have 2 at the end). Create a prompt that asks the AI tool to make simple abstracted symbols of from what you provide.
2. Consider what the AI tool returns to you. Does it align with your vision, your aesthetics? Do you like what it's produced? If not, refine your prompt and work iteratively with the AI tool to make shapes that resonate with you.
3. Choose 1-3 of the symbols AI produces to print out in preparation for printing.

4th

Printing / Iterating

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Block printing involves carving a design into a block of material like linoleum, rubber, or foam. When ink is rolled on top, it lays on the parts that haven’t been carved away, then is pressed onto paper or fabric to create a mirror image, much like a stamp.

Instructions

1. Follow the steps on the next slide to learn how to convert your symbols into stamps for block printing
2. First on paper, try your best to use your symbols to make a visually satisfying print. Review the following slides on pattern making inspiration.
3. Share out to the class to show them your print. Give one another feedback to improve the visual look of the pattern. Make another version pattern on paper using the feedback.
4. Then move to your tote bag or fabric to make your final piece

1. Trace your stamp using AI image as a stencil

2. Apply paint or printing ink

؜3. Carefully apply your stamp to paper first, then fabric

Creating a Pattern

Symmetrical potato print

Pattern precedents

Portuguese tile artists often use repeating geometric patterns.

How could you create a pattern like this?

؜Pattern precedents

Traditional Hawaiian quilts use radial symmetry techniques much like a mandala.

How could you create a pattern like this?

4.2

Digital Fabrication

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Laser Cutting

3D Printing

Rubber Sheets (PVC Free)

5th

Exhibition / Storytelling

Now you will share your final projects with the class. Talk about your design journey, discuss what the symbols on your piece mean to you, and give one another feedback.

Instructions

1. Share your design journey. What symbols did you choose and why?
2. Receive feedback. Consider what you would do differently if you were to do it again.

END OF CHALLENGE!