Intersections: Collaborations in Textile Design Research

Morgan, Laura; Matthews, Janette

Abstract

INTERSECTIONS // Collaborations in Textile Design Research was held at Loughborough University London on 13 September 2017. The international conference and accompanying exhibition sought to explore the role of collaboration in textile design research. Both the exhibited works and presented papers demonstrated the multifaceted way in which collaboration is intrinsic to research in this field (Intersections 2017). Thoughtful and provocative keynotes were delivered from Annie Warburton, Creative Director, Crafts Council UK and Jessica Hemmings, Professor of Crafts & Vice-Prefekt of Research at the Academy of Design & Crafts (HDK), University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Warburton discussed the value of creative collaboration to the UK economy, highlighting the active role that craft skills can bring to industry to drive innovation and value creation (KPMG 2016) while Jessica Hemmings invited us to examine the phenomenology of collaboration, not simply as a research buzzword. Drawing on literary definitions, she asked us to consider what we may learn from ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’ facets of collaboration, and how they can be harnessed to be true drivers for change and innovation (Hemmings 2017).

Conference presenters were invited to extend their contributions for this Special Issue of the Journal of Textile Design Research and Practice. The articles presented within this special issue exemplify the positions expressed by Warburton and Hemmings. Through practice-based research, these design researchers embody varied roles, demonstrating the function textile design can bring to diverse collaborative scenarios, often drawing on traditional textile processes and skill sets to inspire contemporary solutions to complex challenges. The case studies reported highlight the contribution made to research by interdisciplinary collaboration, covering the emerging themes of: collaboration with industry; design and science collaboration; participatory design collaboration; collaboration with archival collections; and collaboration within healthcare and well-being.

• Journal Article Type: Editorial
• Acceptance Date: May 31, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Jun 29, 2018
• Publication Date: Jun 29, 2018
• Deposit Date: Oct 1, 2019
• Print ISSN: 2051-1787
• Electronic ISSN: 2051-1795
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 81-84
• Series ISSN: 2051-1787
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/20511787.2017.1484048
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/2714675