Makerspace Spring Intensive: Design for Textile Production

This four-day workshop will explore the tools necessary for creating a textile pattern suitable for production by a print-on-demand service. During this intensive, we’ll develop original designs, experiment with hands-on methods for marking fabric (such as block printing and silkscreen), and create a file suitable for production with a print-on-demand service.

We’ll start by examining patterned textiles from a range of traditions and discussing the processes by which different fiber craft practices are adapted for mass production. Students will then participate in a series of exercises and design challenges for a self-directed project. Those who successfully complete all four days of the workshop will have the opportunity to print yardage of their work with an outside vendor.

Students enrolled in this intensive will be introduced to:

• Software and techniques used to create production-ready designs. 
• Approaches to design, material, and market research.
• Prototyping and iterative approaches to the design process. 
• Sustainability and ethical considerations in production and distribution. 
• Copyright, trademark,k and IP: how these apply to both the creation and marketing of textile designs. 
• Tools and platforms that can be used to produce and market small-scale work by designers.

Participants will have time to work independently during these sessions so Makerspace staff can support them with suggestions and troubleshooting as necessary. Please come prepared to experiment and try new things!

No previous experience with fabric or design tools is required, but we recommend that students who are brand-new to design software (of any type)  take some time to acquaint themselves with Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator prior to the intensive: the Makerspace will be offering workshops for both programs throughout the year, and staff are available to answer any questions you might have. 

The work done in each session will build on skills covered in the previous one, so participation will require attendance at all sessions. Students who are present for the entire workshop will have fabric printing costs covered by the Makerspace.