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Image
source: http://www.cityshor.com/pune/banjaras
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We
feel like touching a beautiful texture of a curtain, getting wrapped
in a soft cotton quilt is such a joy, it's difficult to avoid
temptation of cuddling a cute furry soft toy. We want soft cotton
cloths during summer and warm woollens in winters! In short, we keep
appreciating fabric for different qualities unknowingly. Here I am
talking about textile design which, I feel is like extension of
graphic design, as prints and patterns are inseparable identity of
any piece of cloth; traditional, modern, woven, non-woven, natural or
synthetic. I really enjoy the visual treat by taking a stroll in a
fabric market. Colours, textures, patterns, prints, feel are all
elements of such visual treat.
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Image
source: http://minister-industries.kerala.gov.in
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India
has a rich tradition in textiles. Every region of India has wide
variety of textiles derived from local counters. 'Woven fabric' had
major contribution in Trade and commerce of ancient India with
foreign countries. Indian cotton, silk and muslin clothes have always
been popular and in demand all over the world. Cotton is woven all
over India. Each region has it's own distinctive character ranging
from weaving technique, knitting, dyeing process, colours, motives,
patterns using different printing processes or embroidery. Few
examples of Indian traditional textile related crafts are intricately
woven Pashmina shawls of Kashmir, Phulkari work from Punjab, Mirror
work from Rajasthan, tie and dye varieties from Gujrat, Chanderi
fabric from MP, fine silks from Benares, Balucheri, Bengal, Paithani
from Maharashtra, Ikat and Kalamkari from Andhra, Kanchipuram silk
from Tamilnadu. The list of this treasure is endless.
Traditional
fabrics are crafted on hand-looms. The final product is a blend of
complex processes of selection of yarns as per required result,
selecting colours, dyeing yarns, pre weaving treatments, generating
design of border and other patterns, actual weaving process. Apart
from technical know-how of the weaving process artisans have to use
their visual design skills to come up with fine fabric.
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Image
source: http://www.flagprintingmachine.com
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A
textile designer has knowledge of different fabric manufacturing
processes, various materials like natural, synthetic fibres as well
as visual design expertise to work with new patterns, prints, colours
of fabrics. Two major sectors where textiles are widely used are
furnishing and garments. Roles of textile designer include coming up
with designs of fabrics for various purposes, make samples for
construction of fabric, research on colour and trends forecast for
new development, look for inspirations and themes for new design
development. It's about experimenting with colour, texture,
processes, patterns, materials, techniques. Textile designers work
for fashion and garment houses, furnishing studios, furniture and
automotive upholstery, other textile accessories like bags. They can
have their independent studios. In short sky is the limit to weave
their creativity!
Some
useful links
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