M.S. Textile Design Exhibition 2014

PhilaU Textile Designers travel to West Africa!

As part of the spring break short courses offered in the textile design program, several of our students and faculty traveled to West Africa to look at and learn about traditional textiles. We caught up with Sam and Mary after the trip to hear about their experiences.

How did you spend your spring break?
Sam: We traveled to West Africa, Senegal and Burkina Faso, to study textiles!

What was the focus of the trip and what were some of the stops on the itinerary?
Sam: The focus of the trip was West African textiles. In Senegal we went to the HLM textile market, Mandiack weaving cooperative and visited fashion designers Claire Kane and Mame Fagueye Ba.
In Burkina Faso we visited master weavers, traditional indigo dye pits, rug weaving studio, and a granite sculpture garden.

Mary: African Textiles.  We got to visit weaving cooperatives, indigo dye village and african designers

What surprised you the most?
Sam: The heat in Burkina Faso!

Mary: Everyone was so welcoming, happy we were there and wanted to share with us.

What experience and knowledge will you take back to Philadelphia with you?
Sam: During the entire trip there was an attention to detail and focus on hand made goods, which is something that is often overlooked in our society. We tend to constantly be looking forward at new technologies, and trying to figure out ways to do things faster. And while that is all well and good, art is about the process. As textile designers we should be able to take the time to enjoy what it is we are doing. In West Africa you can see the love in every piece of cloth, you can see that the weavers leave a little piece of themselves in each piece.


Mary: A better knowledge of what we use, and consideration for how our actions affect other countries. I think I will be a more conscious consumer and designer

How has this influenced your understanding of textile design, craft, or techniques, in a global sense?
Sam: We learned a lot about the negative effects that imported fabrics from China and India have had on Western Africa and how much of the hand craft was being lost. There are groups working now to revitalize the craft industry amoung the natives, teaching them the hand spinning, weaving and dyeing techniques that they all once knew prior to relying on imports.

Mary: I have a better understanding of some african cultures and want to learn more.  I want to be able to incorporate some of their ideas into my work.  I think I have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the craft of weaving and its history.

Textile Design student Interns at Glen Raven, Inc.

Textile Design undergrad student Emily Pappa returned from a semester abroad and immediately dove into an internship at Glen Raven, Inc.  Emily secured the North Carolina-based position via Skype interviews while studying in London.  Here are  Emily's thoughts on the early days of her internship:

Interning at Glen Raven Inc.

Finding internships is a daunting (albeit necessary) process, and Philadelphia provides some great resources to make that process easier. I am currently interning with Glen Raven, a fabric manufacturing and marketing company in North Carolina. I work in the companies Concept Gallery, an archive/gallery space that acts as a supplement to Glen Raven and the companies it works with, to promote innovation and creativity. I work with the Concept Gallery Team to create exhibits, curate the Gallery Space, and explore what is new and innovative in the Textile Design industry.

 

Source: http://www.glenraven.com/innovation/blog/concept-gallery-created-as-innovation-hub/

 

We are simultaneously working on a few different projects at any time, so each day of my internship is different. One day I might be creating a workbook to use when planning for an exhibit or collaboration, the next, brainstorming for a "Design Challenge" collaboration between Glen Raven and a local university. Interning has given me a real look at the actual textile industry, as well as a clear picture of the transition between college and a career. As much as we learn in our classes, there is no replacement for the experience of actually being in a working thriving environment, and being able to create and share ideas in a company is awesome. Internships are a great learning experience, and are a benefit for you as a designer, as well as for your resume. 

 

Source: http://www.glenraven.com/innovation/blog/the-power-of-color/

 

Textile Design Undergrad Studies Abroad at Central Saint Martins

Textile Design undergraduate student Emily Pappa spent the Spring semester studying at Central Saint Martins in London.  Here Emily shares her thoughts and some images from her time abroad:

A Different Experience: Studying Abroad in London
Although Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and Massey University in New Zealand are excellent options, when I made the decision to study abroad, I wanted to attend somewhere different. I had heard a lot about Central Saint Martins, an art school in London, and it seemed like a really fun and challenging place. Even though PhilaU had only sent one student to CSM before me, the Study Abroad office was enthusiastic and helped me through the entire process.



Central Saint Martins

Studying and living in London was a crazy awesome experience. Being in the middle of a city, especially one as dynamic as London, adds so much to the work that you produce, as well as your living experience. Exploring the markets, gardens, shops and museums of London, and being exposed to the art, architecture, and vivacity of the city changed me as a textile designer, and as a person. CSM is an art school, and very different from PhilaU. Working in the same building as sculptors, painters, actors and musicians was exciting. Classes were not held as they are at PhilaU; most work for projects was done individually (it took some getting used to!) or with other students, with supervision from technicians. This gave a taste of the type of time-management textile designers work with, but you still got the freedom to create and explore. Students participate in different projects, each with a focus, such as Print, Weave or Knit.



Bath Abbey



London Bridge

Living in London made it easy to experience all types of cultures without leaving the city, as well as travel (pretty cheaply!) around England and Europe. I was able to visit some awesome places during my stay.



Howth, Ireland

CSM was also a great place to experience culture too. Unlike some programs where American students seem to be segregated from the local students, I was fully integrated into the program, working with British students, and other students from around the world. I had an unbelievable time. If you’re looking for a different Study Abroad Experience, I would highly recommend CSM, or encourage you to find the perfect school, no matter where it might be.