Book Review: Digital Textile Design

Digital Textile Design is a practical and inspiring book written for fabric designers and those looking to learn more about the burgeoning world of digital printing. Filled with more than 300 photographs and screen-grabs, this book offers 23 tutorials presented in an easy to follow, step-by-step format that guides the reader through the process of creating designs suitable for traditional and digital textile production.

Against the backdrop of the development of digital print, the book discusses how designers can access this new technique, looks at the work of those currently exploring it’s possibilities and has profiles of designers currently excelling in this form of design.

The book also features the growing movement of combining digital textile design skills with those of surface design to bring hand-rendered touches that offset the apparent flatness of print. Digital Textile Design is an excellent resource for anyone looking for the skills to translate their ideas into digital textile art.

September 30, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Wearable Woodgrains

We’ve seen woodgrain vectors populating lampshades and cushions for a while now. Interestingly, Celine’s hopped on board, applyng a photo realistic pattern in her Fall collection. Mimicking this elongated directional pattern, this Hlaska wallet is a textural take and marketed towards men. Keeping it unisex, the gray version of this pattern, realized on a rug is the Finnish handiwork of Elina Helenius.

September 27, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Piecemeal Geometrics

Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about how we’ve reverted back to basics when it comes to digital design in the 2D vs 3D realm. When we could first work with depth, we took the bait, went crazy, shadowed everything and added a bevel and emboss. As styles have evolved and we move towards simplification of data overload, basic geometrics have gained prominence in design navigation and it seems like we’re in an age of geometric simplification.

Which brings me to today’s feature on piecemeal geometrics. Using line to texturize, this skirt from Al & Alicia is busy, yet beautifully restricted by palette & structure.

Using vector and paint to illustrate the same point, Chris Benz‘s latest runway collection magnifies the circle, forcing us to ebb and flow within his patterns.

September 26, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Budget Buy: Bark Decor Pillows

Now that we’re feeling the effects of Fall, cornhusks seem comforting and smoke signals, almost inviting. While perusing Pinterst this morning, I stumbled across the lovely work of Bark Decor, an eco-friendly design studio based out of Boston, MA.

The textures and triangles are in line with what we’ve been seeing for a while now, though the collage of illustration within wilderness adds a beautiful unexpected twist that’s less than naive. The pillows are crafty, unique, textured and affordable, as are the prints and and t-shirts. Have a look for yourself!

September 23, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Louise Bourgeois: The Fabric Works

Louise Bourgeois has been creating art since the 1930’s, but it was primarily in the 1990’s and beyond when she started incorporating the clothing of her loved ones into her sculptures and drawings. Her uniquely visual approach to fabric transforms decorative accessories into emotional and personal references, creating representations of womanhood.

In 2002, she began exploring the iridescent colors and formal structural properties of her own clothing, which resulted in “The Fabric Drawings.” These pieces are astonishing works alternating between floral figurative pieces and chromatic abstractions. Louise Bourgeois: The Fabric Works reflects the work from her solo show and goes beyond with its immersive collection of 300 sculptures, assemblages, and collages.

Fabric drawings via A Controlled Substance

September 22, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Budget Buy: Preppy Plates

So you’re a fan of monograms, patterns and preppy styles and can’t let go of summer. If this is true, you’re in luck, as One Kings Lane has paired up with the Preppy Gift Shop to offer customizable melamine platters at a discount today. Arbor navy, cirque duo, milbank, santorini and lattice patterns are all on sale and will brighten up your table come fall or next summer.

September 16, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik