Discover the main topics¶
Shemakes learning paths is building activities upon the knowledge of Fabricademy. Here the main area tackled by Fabricademy.
Main areas of knowledge - Fabricademy
Until, four topics have been explored: Bio-fabrication, E-textiles, Digital Fabrication and what we called "soft skills". All are described below with the corresponding activities.
About Bio-fabrication¶
One of the most emerging developments that is currently growing rapidly in the field of industrial design, fashion and art is the creation of biobased materials, biofabricated in laboratories from microorganisms, bacteria and biopolymers.
It has been a core area of investigation of shemakes to better work with Sustainability, understanding how it could minimize the environmental impact of the textile and clothing industry as well as to improve the lives of the people working in the industry (the ethical aspect of sustainability).
We’re rethinking how we make things, from tools to fabrication processes, revisiting eco-friendly craft techniques when exploring natural options like replacing chemicals with nature based eco friendly solutions.
This is closely related to the Fabricademy modules "biochromes and Biofabricating Materials":
Biochromes: This module is about textile dyeing techniques using natural dyes, crafting pigments and inks as well as learning basic microbiology and biolab tools and safety rules for textile bacteria dyeing. The task of the week is to produce natural dyes, inks, pigments and bacterial dyes.
BioFabricating Materials: Participants are introduced to crafted and grown biomaterials, open recipes for material making and inspirational best practices. The task of the week is to produce at least one crafted and one grown material and document their recipes.
| Rosin Biocomposites | 3D printed potatoes | Alginate Bioplastic | Bioshades | Mycelium | Bacterial Cellulose Leather | Rewool |
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About E-textile¶
Fabricademy give a lot of importance to the emergent field of wearable technologies and e-textiles which is at the intersection of art, technology, biology and science and is attracting in makerspaces. Wearables explore a close relationship between humans and technology, enabling the adaptation of more natural, understandable and explorative Interactions.
Shemakes’s e-textile research area focuses on the design and integration of electronics with and as textiles.
Through dedicated learning activities, shemakes labs teach basic programming, hardware design and circuit crafting skills in order to create interactive prototypes using conductive threads, fabrics, e-embroidery and other techniques.
E-textile : In this module participants get to learn the materials for e-textile and wearables applications. They get introduced to basic programming with Arduino. The task of the week is to create swatches of soft sensors, hard-soft connections and program at least one analogue and one digital sensor, using conductive fabrics and threads.
Wearables : Building on the module of e-textiles, this module deepens the knowledge of programming inputs and outputs using soft and conductive materials for wearable applications and interactive garments. The task is to learn different outputs and create swatches combining both inputs and outputs.
| Voodoo Lapins | E-Monsters | E-textile Bag |
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About Digital Fabrication and crafts¶
Digital fabrication is a core skill of the maker movement. The activities presented here are mostly inspired by previous programs coming from fablab academy. We develop skills that explore new technologies such as 3D scanning, 3D printing (additive manufacturing), parametric design and 3D modeling, as well as subtractive manufacturing like CNC milling and laser cutting. Want a concrete example? Knowing how to create the digital files necessary to control these technologies for apparel, fashion and accessories enables mass customization and local manufacturing that reshapes the concept of “factory”We take a hands-on, intensive approach to learning how these skills can specifically be applied to the fashion industry. We also address other issues that are relevant to Industry 4.0 either in the projectual or post-manufacturing phases. Thinking about connected or smart devices, encouraging eco-efficient consumption behaviours through digital means like apps are themes to be explored, while nearshoring and redistributed manufacturing are also important themes that may be made possible thanks to digital means and that can improve the overall sustainability of the textile and clothing industry.
This relate directly to the Fabricademy modules:
Digital Bodies: This module is about the concept of the Body in fashion, in art and in sculpture, showing emerging technologies of digital tailoring, scanning and introducing the participants to the whole range of technologies found in the lab. The task of the week is to learn how to 3D scan, to get introduced to 3D modelling and to fabricate a mannequin using the laser cutter.
Computational Couture: Participants are introduced to the concept of parametric design, the creation of systems, rather than products. They use 3d modeling software and parametric design software to design and learn about 3D printing with a focus on textile applications. The task of the week is to design in 3D using parametric design and learn how to 3d print.
Open source Hardware- from fibers to fabric: Reinventing the textile industry requires reinventing materials, processes and tools. In this module participants are introduced to textile processes from fibers to fabrics, such as weaving, knitting, sewing, felting e.t.c.
Textile as Scaffold: Looking into technical textiles and applications in architecture , geotech and composites this module explores techniques of solidification, fabric formwork, leather molding, crystallization, composites and biocomposites to widen the spectrum of textile applications. The task is to 3D model and learn CAD to CAMM technologies with the scope to create molds for composites using CNC milling machines.
| Make my First stickers | Make My Backpack | Make my accessory | Make my own garment | Decorated tee-shirts | Leather Moulding Bag | Modular Fashion Bag |
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About soft skills¶
The shemakes ecosystem looks beyond hard skills to embrace the complexity of the personal, employment and innovation landscape of textile and clothing industry.
To better capture and diffuse them, we speak with women who have succeeded in the textile and clothing industry and others who have gained soft skills and are looking for a way to break into the innovation landscape. In this way we open up a discussion about past, present and future narratives and hope to support designers and makers to gain confidence, leadership and entrepreneurial skills that fit with their own ambition so that they can actively and consciously take part in systemic change.
Implications and applications: During this week participants are introduced to emerging scenarios and applications in the textile sector and beyond. They called to start working on their final project proposal that they will be developing from January to March. They will pitch their proposal in the format of a presentation or a video of 5’ maximumRecent developments in electronics, software programming and service design are shaking the current notions of what a textile is.
Project Pitch. Students are asked to present their projects while being introduced to the techniques of storytelling and confront a real jury that will help them to better structure their presentations, improve the quality of their projects and connect them with relevant people from their network.
| Carreer Mapping | Survey for women innovators | Survey Results | Interviews and Profiles | Zines |
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Discover the main courses of Fabricademy here. Be inspired and document your new activities.