Teaching Beyond the Curriculum
Abstract
‘Textiles in Virtual’ student Project at Manchester School of Art MMU in Collaboration with Swatcheditor, Brandlab 360 & SODA (School of Digital Arts MMU). Working at the intersection of materiality, textiles and technology. Uploading textiles to the next level of existence. Placing textiles at the forefront of real life interactive virtual viewing, with a focus on tackling sustainability and trading/connecting smartly with industry and the world without physical interaction. The aim of the project was to explore and create an awareness of advanced, sustainable and interactive virtual viewing, which is essential for tomorrow’s designers and thinkers after the global pandemic. How do we create the material that exists in both digital space and the physical world, and find the balance between the virtual and the real world? How can we reduce waste by visualising textiles digitally prior to physical production? How can we feel textiles through a virtual world? This project offered students the opportunity to learn new industry leading software, online platforms and technology. It allowed students the opportunity to meet external companies already working in this way, and a series of technical workshops with SODA (School of Digital Arts MMU) technical staff. Students were also fortunate enough to have their digital work displayed on the outside of the SODA building digital screens.
Clare Calveley is a Digital and Virtual Textile Artist and Designer who creates visionary content creations for digital platforms. Clare’s research explores the use of colour, pattern and cloth as a flexible medium. She investigates the intersection between physical and virtual space, focusing on conveying tangibility and the haptic experience within the virtual realm.