sensory connection part 2 Louisa Muir-Little
sensory connection part 1 Sensory Connection Part 1 was a material exploration into creating a collection of multisensory textile samples for use within dementia care. This material exploration resulted in a selection of samples designed to create stimulation through the use of haptic and auditory stimulation using knitted textiles. Part 1 was based upon research into ‘what is the future of textile design within multisensory stimulation for people with dementia?’ This research suggested that textile design could be used to create more familiair multisensory stimulation in place of technology which can often be unfamiliar and therefore distressingto people who currently have dementia.
Familiarity can help to comfort people with dementia and so the shapes and forms within these samples were inspired by shapes that people who currently have dementia may have had in their childhood such as Lego and Meccano. The colour pallette for this collection was based on red and blue as red is stimulating and blue is relaxing.
sensory connection part 2 Sensory Connection Part 2 is a material exploration into creating multisensory stimulation through textiles. This collection is designed to inspire others to consider how textiles could be used to create multisensory stimulation, considering how people can become more connected to their environment through sensory design. As technology is increasingly dominating our daily lives, it is important to maintain a physical connection to our environment. Sensory Connection Part 2 explores how textiles could be used to to encourage interactivity and playfulness with our environment. This material exploration challenges the perceptions of knitted textiles considering how it can be used to create innovative, interactive textile pieces.
s e n s o r y c o n n e c t i o n p a r t 2
sensory connection part 2 To emphasise the removal of technology and the connection to our physical environment, the shapes and forms of this collection are inspired by the geometric shapes within circuit boards. The geometric shapes within circuit boards have been translated into 3 dimensional repeats to create tactile collages which can then inform material and sampling decisions and processes.
The red and blue colour palette from Part 1 has been refined and developed to create a broader palette for this collection. Green and yellow have been incorporated into the palette, developed from the colours within circuit boards. The tones of these colours have been considered, using more pastel tones to create a sophisticated, playful colour palette for this collection.
l a s e r c u t
a c r y l i c
material development Within this collection, a variety of material testing was conducted to explore how knit can be used and combined with other materials to create innovative designs. Coloured acrylic sheets were laser cut and bent to create interesting forms that could be combined with knit to add shape and structure. The addition of these structural properties to the knit could be developed for an architectural function. Incorporating textiles with archtitecture could create more multisensory immersive environments.
p l a s t i
d i p
material development Through material testing, it was discovered that plasti dip can be used to add a contrasting layer to a knitted surface. The materials that were explored in addition to plasti dip were latex mixed with acylic ink and silicone sealant. However the plasti dip gave the most refined finish to the knit. The plasti dip works as an effective addition to a knitted surface creating a direct contrast in texture as well as adding a bright pop of colour. Along with adding tactile properties to the knit, the plasti dip adds a layer of water resistance. This could be explored further when considering how these samples could be applied to our environment.
s i l i c o n e
material development Silicone is another material that was explored to consider how it could be used within multisensory stimulation. A selection of tiles were created using silicone for mould making. This was combined with laser cut acrylic pieces to create tactile surfaces on the tiles. The laser cut acrylic pieces were used to add texture to the tiles. Setting the pieces in the silicone combined the two materials, to add contrast as well as removing the pieces after the tiles were set, to indent the surface of the silicone. Using silicone was an effective way to combine the synthetic aesthetic of the laser cut acrylic and the flexible properties of the knit within one material.
l y c r a
material development As well as exploring how materials can be combined with knit, the yarns used were also explored. Lycra tubes were knitted which were then used to create interesting forms. These knitted forms were created by inserting different shaped objects inside the tubes. The elasticity of the lycra creates organic forms from the areas of stretch and relaxation. The areas where the lycra is stretched creates a translucency to the knit allowing the object inside to be more visible. These lycra forms are really effective as hanging pieces and the incorportion of sound to the pieces allows for playful objects that could be installed within an environment to create multisensory stimulation.
d ome s t i c k n i t
material development As well as considering how other materials can be used to add form and structure to the knit, the design of the knit itself can create form. By manipulating plain knit and encasing shapes within the knit this can create interesting textures and surfaces. The main yarn chosen within these knit samples was mercerised 4ply cotton. This yarn was used as it works well on the domestic knit machine and it also keeps its structure when knitted. These knit samples could have many applications as a fabric whilst adding multisensory stimulation to an environment through tactility and sound elements.
sound and tactility The focus of this material exploration was to create a collection of multisensory textile samples. Therefore it was important to ensure that tactility and sound were incorporated into each sample. Sound was added to the samples by encasing small particles of different materials such as seeds inside hollow objects. This results in a rattling sound when the samples are interacted with. Through the use of different materials and processes each sample has tactile properties encouraging the viewer to interact with them. The result of this material exploration is a collection of samples that demonstrate how knit can be used to create multisensory stimulation. This exploration could be used to inform and inspire others to consider how people can become more connected to their environment through sensory design.