Introduction to Bioinspired Textile Design Theory and Practice Online Short Course
Course description
Taught through a combination of lectures, practical exercises and discussion, this six-week course introduces students to a new perspective for creating a more sustainable textile practice based on biology and materials science. Students are introduced to bioinspired textile design (BIT).
The course is made up of a series of weekly online sessions designed to help students build their knowledge and understanding. Students are expected to work 1-2 hours per week outside of class to get the most out of the course.
Several topics are covered during the course including bioinspired structural design elements, material science for textile designers, and bioinspired textiles and sustainability. Students also gain an insight into how bioinspired textile design (BIT) can relate to their own practice.
Who should attend?
This course is aimed at designers, creatives, managers and entrepreneurs in the creative industries with an interest in learning how material science can help us extract textile design lessons in sustainability from biology.
Level: intermediate / advanced
Course outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Articulate the difference between biodesign and biomaterials
- Identify mechanical material properties relevant to textiles
- Describe how different disciplines intersect within the field of bioinspired textiles
- Describe the 8 biological structures within different textile design practices
- Select and apply appropriate test method to demonstrate the mechanical property of their textile(s)
- Analyse case studies and identify structures and sustainability lessons in real-world examples
- Explain how principles learned in the course relates to their own practice
All our Online Short Courses include:?
- Live online lessons with the same tutors?
- The same course content and learning outcomes?
- Lesson recordings, for review?
- Access to VLE with course content?
- Forums for support?
- 2 weeks online access?
- Certificate upon completion?
Please note that all courses are taught in UKtime.?
Available dates
Details
Topics covered:
Week 1: Introduction
- What is Bioinspired Textiles (BIT)?
- Bio informed, biodesign and biomaterials
- Method of mapping individual practice in bio informed design
- Overview of BIT framework
- Basic material properties of textiles
Week 2: Biological Structural Design Elements Part 1
- Deep dive into case studies from biology
- Translating biology and material science for a design audience
- 8 Biological Structural Design Elements and textile design
- Helical Structure
- Cellular
Week 3: Biological Structural Design Elements Part 2
- Overlap
- Gradient
- Layer
- Suture
Week 4: Evaluation methods
During this session, you will learn about different methods used to assess relevant mechanical properties of textiles and simple ways to test your textiles in a studio / home environment.
Week 5: Sustainability
The focus of this session is understanding how biology via the BIT framework can help us improve the resource efficiency, recovery and longevity of our design practice.
Week 6: Case studies
During this final session, we will reflect on the lessons from previous sessions by reviewing a series of case studies of professional textile designers who have applied the Bioinspired Textile design framework to their own practice.
Materials
Recommended materials:
- Notebook and pen
To take part in this online course, you will need:
- An up-to-date web browser (we recommend Chrome)
- Microphone and headphones (a headset with a microphone function is recommended. The built-in microphone in your device would also be fine)
- Webcam
- Strong Internet connection - we recommend a minimum of 2 Mbps download, and 1 Mbps upload, faster if possible. You can test your network speed here - https://www.speedtest.net
Meet the Tutor
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