Weaving Objects: Spatial Design and Functionality of 3D-Woven Textiles

Abstract

3D weaving is an industrial process for creating volumetric material through organized multiaxis interlacing of yarns. The overall complexity and rarity of 3D weaving have limited its market to aerospace and military applications. Current textile design software does not address the ease of iterating through physical trialing so necessary for designers to access this medium. This paper describes the development of a series of volumetric textile samples culminating in the creation of a fully formed shoe and the collaboration with computer scientists to develop a visualization tool that addresses the consumer accessory design opportunities for this medium.