Textiles may be used as a vehicle to penetrate and exemplify a society's customs and traditions. This dissertation concentrates on the Kuba cloths from Zaire and particularly focuses on the social and political implications associated with these textiles. Part One explores the economic aspects of the cloths and the values of work, wealth, status and titleholding among the Kuba. The Kuba's aesthetic preference for pattern and design will be contemplated in relation to the cloths and as an illustration of this culture's concern with decoration and display. Part Two of this study examines the occasions for which these cloths are adorned. It will be observed that these celebrations and rituals, in conjunction with their ceremonial modes of dress, not only underline the importance of the nation and its ideologies and customs (as examined in Part One) but serve to acknowledge ethnic identity, as well as maintain and perpetuate the social and political order of the Kuba. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / M.A. (History of Art)

O estudo descrito nessa dissertação abrange conhecimentos referentes às áreas de Biônica, Biomorfismo, Artes Visuais e Design de Superfície propondo um procedimento de projetação voltado para a elaboração de estampas têxteis com referência em elementos naturais. Considerando a natureza como fonte de referências visuais para a projetação no Design de Superfície, percebeu-se que associar pressupostos estéticos presentes na área com etapas de métodos de Design de Produto baseados em estudos de Biônica, poderia contribuir com a produção criativa dos desenhos de estampas. Desse modo, disponibiliza-se à audiência acadêmica e profissional um procedimento de projetação organizado a partir de um estudo exploratório-experimental com abordagem qualitativa, estruturado por revisão bibliográfica, entrevistas e experimentações. A primeira organização do procedimento foi realizada através da adaptação de etapas de três métodos de Design de Produto com base em estudos de Biônica. O procedimento resultante foi avaliado e aperfeiçoado a partir de quatro experimentações realizadas com estudantes e profissionais da área. O resultado é um procedimento com oito passos voltado ao desenvolvimento de estampas com referências biomórficas. A pesquisa aponta que o contato direto do designer de superfície com o elemento natural, aliado ao resgate de técnicas de desenho manual e à reflexão contínua dos procedimentos adotados durante a projetação, contribui com o planejamento e processo de desenvolvimento de estampas pelos projetistas. Ou seja, projetar a partir de etapas organizadas e adaptáveis conforme as necessidades de cada briefing facilita o processo de projetação de estampas com referências naturais e converge para novos resultados na perspectiva de contribuir com as produções disponíveis no mercado atualmente. A conclusão do trabalho oferece algumas possibilidades de prosseguimento da pesquisa, como a organização de cursos envolvendo conhecimentos das áreas de Design de Superfície e Biônica e a verificação e aplicação do procedimento aqui proposto no âmbito industrial. / The study described in this dissertation covers knowledge regarding areas of Bionics, Biomorphism, Visual Arts and Surface Design to propose a procedure for developing textile designs which incorporate natural elements. Considering nature as a source of visual references for projecting in the surface design, it was realized that associating esthetic assumptions present in the area with steps of methods of product design based in studies in Bionics could contribute with the creative production of drawings in prints. In this way, it is made available to the academic and professional audience a projecting procedure organized based on an exploratory-experimental study with qualitative approach, structured in literature review, interviews and experimentations. The first procedure organization was performed through adaptation of steps of three methods of product design based on Bionics studies. The resulting procedure was evaluated and improved from four experiments performed with students and professionals in the field. The result is a procedure with eight steps focused on the development of patterns with biomorphic references. The research suggests that direct contact from the designer with the natural elements, coupled with the rescue of hand drawing techniques and continuous reflection of the procedures adopted during the development contributes to the creative process by facilitating the search for visual references. In other words, projecting from arranged and adaptable steps according to the projective needs eases the procedure of prints projecting with natural references and converges to creative and differentiated results which can contribute to the products available nowadays in the market. The conclusion of the study offers some possibilities for further research, as the organization of courses involving knowledge of the areas of Surface Design and Bionics and the verification and application of the procedure proposed here in the industrial field.

O estudo descrito nessa dissertação abrange conhecimentos referentes às áreas de Biônica, Biomorfismo, Artes Visuais e Design de Superfície propondo um procedimento de projetação voltado para a elaboração de estampas têxteis com referência em elementos naturais. Considerando a natureza como fonte de referências visuais para a projetação no Design de Superfície, percebeu-se que associar pressupostos estéticos presentes na área com etapas de métodos de Design de Produto baseados em estudos de Biônica, poderia contribuir com a produção criativa dos desenhos de estampas. Desse modo, disponibiliza-se à audiência acadêmica e profissional um procedimento de projetação organizado a partir de um estudo exploratório-experimental com abordagem qualitativa, estruturado por revisão bibliográfica, entrevistas e experimentações. A primeira organização do procedimento foi realizada através da adaptação de etapas de três métodos de Design de Produto com base em estudos de Biônica. O procedimento resultante foi avaliado e aperfeiçoado a partir de quatro experimentações realizadas com estudantes e profissionais da área. O resultado é um procedimento com oito passos voltado ao desenvolvimento de estampas com referências biomórficas. A pesquisa aponta que o contato direto do designer de superfície com o elemento natural, aliado ao resgate de técnicas de desenho manual e à reflexão contínua dos procedimentos adotados durante a projetação, contribui com o planejamento e processo de desenvolvimento de estampas pelos projetistas. Ou seja, projetar a partir de etapas organizadas e adaptáveis conforme as necessidades de cada briefing facilita o processo de projetação de estampas com referências naturais e converge para novos resultados na perspectiva de contribuir com as produções disponíveis no mercado atualmente. A conclusão do trabalho oferece algumas possibilidades de prosseguimento da pesquisa, como a organização de cursos envolvendo conhecimentos das áreas de Design de Superfície e Biônica e a verificação e aplicação do procedimento aqui proposto no âmbito industrial. / The study described in this dissertation covers knowledge regarding areas of Bionics, Biomorphism, Visual Arts and Surface Design to propose a procedure for developing textile designs which incorporate natural elements. Considering nature as a source of visual references for projecting in the surface design, it was realized that associating esthetic assumptions present in the area with steps of methods of product design based in studies in Bionics could contribute with the creative production of drawings in prints. In this way, it is made available to the academic and professional audience a projecting procedure organized based on an exploratory-experimental study with qualitative approach, structured in literature review, interviews and experimentations. The first procedure organization was performed through adaptation of steps of three methods of product design based on Bionics studies. The resulting procedure was evaluated and improved from four experiments performed with students and professionals in the field. The result is a procedure with eight steps focused on the development of patterns with biomorphic references. The research suggests that direct contact from the designer with the natural elements, coupled with the rescue of hand drawing techniques and continuous reflection of the procedures adopted during the development contributes to the creative process by facilitating the search for visual references. In other words, projecting from arranged and adaptable steps according to the projective needs eases the procedure of prints projecting with natural references and converges to creative and differentiated results which can contribute to the products available nowadays in the market. The conclusion of the study offers some possibilities for further research, as the organization of courses involving knowledge of the areas of Surface Design and Bionics and the verification and application of the procedure proposed here in the industrial field.

Esta pesquisa objetivou identificar padrões formais, plásticos, sintáticos, semânticos e simbólicos eventualmente mais característicos de estamparias têxteis voltadas ao vestuário de usuárias das classes sociais média e alta. O estudo, de natureza mista, quantitativa e qualitativa, apresentou caráter essencialmente fenomenológico, buscando percepções de usuárias e especialistas (designers), ao comparar padronagens de estamparias gráficas utilizadas por mulheres das classes sociais média e alta. Do ponto metodológico, a pesquisa foi dividida em três estágios principais. Em um primeiro estágio foram selecionadas quatrocentas amostras de imagens de estampas voltadas para usuárias das classes média e alta, sendo duzentas amostras de cada classe. Estes dois grupos de duzentas amostras foram, então, reduzidos, aleatoriamente, a dois grupos de vinte amostras. Cada amostra, a partir deste ponto, foi minuciosamente isolada e abstraída do desenho da roupa, da pessoa que a estivesse trajando e de seu entorno, evitando-se variáveis contaminantes. No segundo estágio, as vinte amostras, já isoladas e abstraídas, foram individualmente apresentadas a especialistas (designers), com objetivo de estimulá-los a verbalizar categorias conceituais que pudessem ser utilizadas como norteadoras de um diferencial semântico a ser elaborado no terceiro estágio. Por fim, no terceiro estágio, sete amostras de cada um dos dois grupos foram reunidas, aleatoriamente, e apresentadas a dois grupos de respondentes (especialistas e usuárias) de maneira a atribuírem valores numéricos de 1 a 5 quanto a dez parâmetros (bipolarizados) induzidos a partir das análises obtidas dos dados oferecidos por especialistas no segundo estágio. Participaram do terceiro e último estágio 55 respondentes, sendo seis designers e 49 usuárias. Os resultados deste estudo foram, então, estratificados em vários quadros, entre os quais: amostras apenas da classe média, com respostas de especialistas e de usuárias; amostras apenas da classe alta, com respostas de especialistas e de usuárias; amostras da classe média e da classe alta, com respostas apenas de especialistas; amostras da classe média e da classe alta, com respostas apenas de usuárias; e amostras da classe média e da classe alta, com respostas da média de especialistas e usuárias. O cruzamento geral destas várias estratificações revelou singular e pouco antecipada convergência das respostas de especialistas e de usuárias sobre padrões de estampas têxteis atribuídos às classes média e alta. Notou-se, por exemplo, coincidências acentuadas nas respostas nas categorias simbólico/literal, cromático/acromático, sofisticado/rústico, linear/aleatório, clássico/moderno e geométrico/orgânico, entre amostras de padronagens têxteis voltadas às usuárias das classes média e alta. Divergências discretas foram, entretanto, observadas nas categorias equilibrado/desequilibrado, simetria/assimetria, comum/incomum e figurativo/abstrato. Este estudo conclui que variações qualitativas no vestuário das classes média e alta estariam, portanto, localizadas menos no âmbito das características formais, semânticas, simbólicas e estéticas das padronagens têxteis, residindo, muito possivelmente, sobretudo, na qualidade da impressão, acabamento, coloração, fiação, tecelagem, costura e em minúcias de seus desenhos apenas perceptíveis pela proximidade física e tátil dos referidos tecidos e peças de vestuário / This research aimed to identify formal, syntactic, esthetic, semantic, and symbolic patterns possibly more closely associated with textile designs geared to the clothing of female middle and upper class users. The study, of a mixed nature, combined both the quantitative and qualitative approaches. It was of an essentially phenomenological character, searching for the perceptions of both users and design specialists, as they compared graphic design patterns utilized in the clothing of middle and upper class women. From a methodological standpoint, the study was divided into three main stages. In the first stage, 400 samples of photographs of textile design geared to female middle and upper class users, 200 corresponding to each group, were randomly selected from a variety of sources. Out of these two groups, another selection was then randomly conducted as well, narrowing both groups down to 20 samples each. Each textile sample, at this point, was thoroughly isolated and taken from the actual design of the clothing, from the person who might be wearing it and from its surroundings, therefore avoiding contaminant variables. In the second stage, those 20 samples, already isolated and taken out of their surroundings, were individually shown to textile and fashion design specialists, aiming to stimulate them to verbalize conceptual categories that could be utilized to guide the elaboration of a semantic differential in the third stage. Finally, in the third stage, seven samples from each of these two groups were randomly ordered and displayed to two groups of participants (design specialists and users). They were asked to grade them with numeric values from 1 through 5 regarding ten parameters (bipolarized) which were previously developed based on data provided by design specialists during the second stage. In this final stage, 55 respondents took part, six of which were design specialists and 49 of which were users. The results of this research were then stratified and displayed into various tables and charts, amongst which were: exclusively middle-class samples, featuring answers of both design specialists and users; exclusively upper-class samples, featuring answers of both design specialists and users; samples of both middle and upper class, featuring answers exclusively of design specialists; samples of both middle and upper class, featuring answers exclusively of users; and, finally, samples of both middle and upper class, featuring combined answers of design specialists and users. Cross-referencing of the various data stratifications revealed a unique and little-anticipated convergence of answers from both design specialists and users regarding textile graphic patterns linked to either middle or upper class clothing. Significant, coinciding patterns of responses were noted in conceptual categories such as symbolic/literal, chromatic/achromatic, sophisticated/rustic, linear/random, classic/contemporary and geometric/organic, among samples of graphic textile patterns associated with middle- and upper-class female users. Discrete divergences were identified, however, in categories such as balanced/unbalanced, symmetrical/asymmetrical, plain/rare and figurative/abstract. This study, then, reached the conclusion that qualitative variations in graphic design patterns in clothing of middle- and upper-class female users might, therefore, occur less in the realm of the studied formal, semantic, symbolic and aesthetic graphic textile patterns, as they seem to most likely reside, above all, in the printing quality, finishing, coloring, threading, weaving, sewing and in minute drawing details of the actual graphic textile patterns which can only be ascertained and appreciated by means of physical and tactile proximity to these graphic patterns and the actual clothing itself

A indústria têxtil brasileira viveu seu apogeu econômico nas décadas de 1950, 1960 e 1970. Seus expressivos números, associados ao clima eufórico nacionalista, contribuíram para transformar esse setor num segmento importante para a consolidação de sentidos acerca da existência de uma identidade nacional, que se teria dado por meio da produção de estampas genuinamente brasileiras. Com base nessa hipótese, esta pesquisa dedica-se a explorar o processo de produção de sentidos nacionalistas e patrióticos implantados e difundidos por imagens, tendo como metodologia principal a investigação dos processos internos da indústria e a observação da divulgação dada à atuação da indústria têxtil naquele período. Procura-se comprovar que os sentidos produzidos foram decorrentes bem mais de um discurso eficiente do que de uma criação autêntica ou genuína que tenha havido nesse setor. / The Brazilian textile industry reached its apogee in the period 1950-1970. The widespread impact it made in a climate of euphoric nationalism, led to this sector being turned into a means of strengthening feelings about the existence of a particular Brazilian national identity, which it achieved by producing printed designs that were genuinelyBrazilian. On the basis of this supposition, this research project is devoted to exploring the way nationalistic and patriotic feelings have been instilled and spread through images, by employing a methodology that mainly involves investigating the inner processes of industrialisation and the observation of the promotion of the textile industry in that period. The study seeks to support the view that the feelings that have been evoked, arise more from an effective discourse than any authentic or genuine creation that has taken place in this sector.

This thesis uses the work and career of the textile designer Maria Kipp to stage a prolegomena concerning how to write about a female designer active during the middle of the twentieth century. How can design historians incorporate new methodologies in the writing of design history? This thesis explores the current literature of feminist design history for solutions to the potential problems of the traditional biography and applies these to the work and career of Kipp. It generates questions concerning the application of methodologies, specifically looking at a biographical methodology and new methodologies proposed by feminist design historians. Feminist writers encourage scholarship on unknown designers, while also they call for a different kind of writing and methodology. The goal of this thesis is to examine how these new histories are written and in what ways they might inspire the writing of Kipp into design history.

The interest for natural dye has increased together with the concern in sustainability and environmental awareness within the textile industry. Natural dye is one of the oldest techniques when it comes to textile production, but when synthetic dyestuffs were discovered, the usage of the technique decreased. Today, the technique is slowly coming back together with the awareness in sustainability. However, regarding surface patterns, the expression is quite limited, and patterns are created by dyeing techniques, muted colors and nature as an obvious inspiration. This degree work explores natural dye print by designing a screen printed surface pattern collection, and the project advocates for and is an addition to the field of natural dye print. The methods used were drawing, digital sketching and screen printing. The methods of designing were done through practical workshops, both for sketching patterns and to explore techniques within natural dye print. The female body is a design theme in the work and the intention is simply to portray the body as it is. The motive has not been chosen to provoke, to address a political issue or to evoke discussion. The result is three surface patterns printed with different printing techniques on different fibers. A significant part of the result is the reference library containing all the printed samples and can be used for further research within the field. Choice of fabric and scale of design was done with fashion fabric in mind, however, to focus on the design and technique the designs are not presented on any kind of product. Tests were done to try out the light fastness of the different colorants on different fibers. This project has expanded the field of natural dye print by adding a screen printed surface pattern collection with thematic patterns and an expression that does not reveal the use of natural dye. The project also resulted in a steppingstone for further work within the field.

There is a link between the tactile and optical modes of perception. Woven textiles’ materiality and ability to take three dimensional form, make them a good medium for creating shapes containing several pattern scales and textures. By conciously working with tactile-visual qualities and aesthetics one can achieve the most powerful effects, and in turn, the textile can take the role of a sensation director. By interpreting Kasuri with large scaled threads on a computerized hand loom and in space, an exploration of details and spatial installation can be conducted simultaneously. The five examples developed in this project demonstrate different approaches to dimensional hand weaving, intending to build a better understanding of micro and macro spatial features in woven textiles. Significantly, the project challenges the scale of hand weaving as well as the design process: stretching from thread to dimensional weave empowers the designer. By highlighting crafted details on a large scale, a sequence of events can be discerned that makes the spectator aware of quality and of the production process. Parallels between the body of work and our perception of lines and interspaces are drawn as an attempt to refine our relation to the objects around us.

Juxtaposing in art and design is a commonly used method of creating something new by recomposing already existing elements. The hybrid outcome allows the spectator to re-evaluate the elements merged, and the new relationship set up between them. Hybrids is an attempt to find such meetings through investigating possible material combinations through a series of fabric manipulating techniques, with the aim to generate volume and expression. Parts of the development, with emphasis on print making, have been conducted in a generative methodological way, using randomization and the computer as an autonomous co-creator. Two fabric manipulating techniques were developed during the course of the work; laser cutting mesh and combining stretchy with stiff materials. The common feature of these techniques is their ability to transform from 2D to 3D. Hybrids questions the hierarchy of the traditional fashion design process where form dictates the choice of material. Instead, material comes first, while form relating to body follows. The result is expressive and bold, positioning itself at the intersection of fashion and textile design.

Technological developments in digital Jacquard weaving, as well as material research, have a strong influence on today‘s possibilities of textile production. These advancements enable to shift the perspective of textile as a flat surface to textile as a three-dimensional form and push two-dimensional weaving into the third dimension. Utilizing recent technologies in the form of applying multi-layering weaving techniques and embedding heat-reactive shrinking material, the research of Woven Forms aims to explore the forming method of construction through weaving to create abstract forms transformed from flat and to investigate its textile-form properties of shape, texture, color, and scale. The developed method of Embedded Form Weaving is set within experimental design research and structures a systematical approach to generate three-dimensional forms activated from flat surfaces. The outcome in form of abstract, self-supporting textile-forms showcases the multitude of form expressions and variety of formal variables within two construction-form-thinking families. This research contributes to the field of 3D weaving, demonstrates the potential for further research and application possibilities in other disciplines and fields, and evaluates the potential of seeing the weaving loom as a forming tool. While the fundamental base is the interlacement of warp and weft, technology, material science, and textile engineering shift the perception of woven textiles: from a rectangular piece of cloth to the opportunity to construct textile-forms.