SURFACE MANIPULATION

Inspiration

Taking inspiration from a DRAGON FRUIT and interpreting it’s qualities/aspects using different conventional and unconventional materials and techniques. Opting an approach which stimulates one to find potential, research, develop concepts and innovate through various textile and non-textile material manipulation techniques. The aim is to develop surfaces with various inspirational properties that could leverage products as a whole. 

Striped Rhythms 

Replicating the proportion, distribution, interaction and scheme of colors of the fruit when looked from various aspects/states of use.

Paper Concepts 

Exploring the forms and scales of the fruit using paper and other experimental materials. Some of these explorations are later replicated using fabrics.

3D Model 

After observing the fruit from all aspects, a 3D model is made to understand and replicate the form, texture, color by choosing the right medium possible.

Colour Interaction

Taking the basic colors of a dragon fruit from the color palette and wrapping them together to get the mid tones of the fruit.

Geometry 

The geometry of a dragon fruit is very similar to a polar Zonohedron which has varying pitch.This geometrical structure is made to show how a stripe of progressive quadrilaterals (units) repeats itself to form a dragon fruit.

3D Embroidery

Embroidery on mesh depicting the geometry and the scoop-able property of the fruit.

Sewing Manipulations 

Exploring surfaces by playing with combination of fabrics having varying properties (knitted and woven)

Knitted Surface

Knitted surface (garter stitch) with a shiny polyester yarn to give a glossy look to the overall surface. Then Black beads are sewed at varying depths to give the essence of seeds.

Product Visualisation

A pouch inspired from dragon fruit. Keeping the various properties like the layering of seeds at various depths, the surprising colors, etc.

Applique Embroidery

A sectional view of the fruit is depicted on fabric using a embroidery frame. Cotton cords and beads are used as a detailing.

Woven Surface

Woven Striped rhythm by taking the color proportions and Interaction into consideration.

Final Panel 

After understanding the geometry, a panel is made (2x4 feet) taking inspiration from the base view of the fruit. Each unit is made to elevate by filling polyfill under layers of fabric which creates a surprising interaction within the layers. The hide n seek play of colors are only visible when looked from certain angles.

The flat base view of a dragon fruit has Fibonacci spiral in it and is an excellent example of geometry in nature. So, the same is replicated into a 3d surface where each unit grows in a golden ratio.