Textile Production: Bio Material Exploration

The challenge is to question, revise and propose new possibilities for a textile-based object based on findings from the document Loved Clothes Last (from Fashion Revolution) pdf and my own garment studies in challenge #1, and patterning exercises introduced in weeks 6 through 10. Material research, ideation and making will also play a significant role as you chart your route forward. The project needs its own design criteria in order to proceed with the project.

Within research and study, I decided to pursue my interest in material design. I learned about biodegradable and sustainable bio material (plastic) and explored into different mediums and ingredients. Then, with my explorations, I focused on gelatin based bio material for this project.

My main design focus is about how sustainable, bio materials being utilized within the industry right now include coffee grounds, agar agar plastic, algae, and gelatine based bio-plastic. Why Bioplastic? Not only does it reduce environmental impact in the process of making, but it also maximizes the use of food residues or waste. As material, bioplastics can be used for textile products: clothes and shoes, sport’s bags and equipment, some medical devices.

My design iteration for this project mainly focused on wearable, sustainable and bio degradable bio material accessories. This project is my first take on as material designer and turn my exploration into design artifact. Through this project, I learned and explored new material fields. Within continuous experimentation and innovation, I gained my own insights into the material. And based on my findings combined with design, to turn my ideal iterations into reality. The self isolation at home due to the pandemic made me think about how to integrate the current situation into materials and design as a designer, so as to better self-sufficiency in products. Bioplastic textiles helped me address these concerns. Moreover, my current stage and the compliance with materials allows me to develop from an accessory and stationary design perspective. In the future, I keen on keep developing the material to the stage of application to the textile that helps reduce the environmental impacts and satisfied the self-sufficiency expectation.