Browsing by Author "Dr. Traci May-Plumlee, Committee Chair"

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Digital Printing and Traditional Surface Design Techniques
(2002-11-24) Lawrence, Genevieve Marie; Dr. Cynthia Istook, Committee Co-Chair; Dr. Trevor Little, Committee Member; Professor Susan Brandeis, Committee Member; Dr. Traci May-Plumlee, Committee Chair
The use of digital fabric printing in textile and apparel companies is increasing. Continuing research on increasing color quality, speeding up production rates, development of new inks, and increasing the number of print-heads will facilitate adoption of this technology. Though digital printing has not yet reached its full potential, it offers many opportunities for new and innovative textile design techniques. To date, there has been little documented exploration into the design possibilities afforded by digital fabric printing. The purpose of this research was to determine if the aesthetic qualities associated with the traditional hand surface design techniques of batik and discharge could be achieved using graphics programs and digital printing technology. During the research, digital batik and discharge fabrics were created and evaluated by both non-experts and experts. First, literature was reviewed to gain expertise in surface design, batik, discharge, printing methods, industrial production of batik and discharge, digital printing, and evaluation of aesthetics. The aesthetic qualities of batik and discharge were defined through hands-on exploration of the techniques in conjunction with critical evaluations from fellow artists. Evaluation tools were developed for batik and discharge based on the defined aesthetic qualities. Handcrafted and digital batik and discharge fabric samples were evaluated by non-expert and expert subjects. The digital samples were successfully created through graphics programs and digital printing. The analysis of the evaluations showed that the digital batik and digital discharge samples were successful in achieving a majority of the aesthetic qualities associated with handcrafted batik and handcrafted discharge.
An Integrated Printed Textile Design and Apparel Product Development Process
(2004-08-25) Hatcher, Lesley Nicole; Dr. Michael Pause, Committee Member; Dr. Traci May-Plumlee, Committee Chair; Professor Nancy Powell, Committee Co-Chair
The purpose of this study was to acquire information about the textile print design process as it is executed at apparel companies who design and develop printed fabrics internally for their seasonal lines. Technologies used by apparel companies in the textile print design process were also surveyed. The sample consisted of nine companies who design and develop printed fabrics internally to be used in their seasonal apparel lines. Using a case study approach, company representatives were interviewed via the telephone. The data from each respondent company was organized by process steps and technologies used, and translated into a graphical representation. The graphical representations from all companies were compared for similarities and differences and consolidated into a graphical representation. The graphic representation of the textile print design process at an apparel company was then integrated into the No-interval Coherently Phased Product Development Process for Apparel by May-Plumlee and Little (1998). The result was a framework that serves as a theoretical foundation for academic research in the integration of the apparel design and textile print design processes, and a model for practioners.
Interactive Electronic Textiles: Technologies, Applications, Opportunities, and Market Potential
(2002-08-19) Meoli, Dina; Dr. John McCreery, Committee Member; Dr. Cynthia Istook, Committee Member; Dr. Traci May-Plumlee, Committee Chair
The developing area of interactive electronic textiles is generating an abundance of literature within the textile industry. Presently, researchers in this area are working toward the development of interactive touch and voice activated wireless electronic textiles. Potentially, these specialized textiles will integrate many communication, entertainment, and safety devices directly into traditional textile and apparel products. The purpose of this research was to study the emerging area of interactive electronic textiles. First, available literature was used to examine interactive electronic technologies, the potential application areas for these technologies, and the potential market appeal for interactive electronic textiles. Hypotheses were developed regarding expert perceptions of the potential technologies appropriate for mass-producing these products at affordable price points. To test the hypotheses, expert opinions regarding future opportunities, applications, and market appeal for interactive electronic textiles were obtained via an Internet-based electronic survey. The results of the survey revealed that numerous viable technologies were being investigated for developing interactive electronic textiles; health and safety, communication, and entertainment were perceived as major growth areas for these specialized textiles; and that product attributes, operation difficulty levels, and user concerns were considered to have important implications for interactive electronic textiles market appeal.