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f(form)

Honours Project (2015)

Is it possible to express garment designs as algorithms? And how can we use algorithmic methods to inform fashion design?

Throughout fashion school, my biggest obsession was pattern drafting, the traditional craft of making 2d pattern pieces that can be cut and sewn to form 3d garments. Inspired by parametric design in architecture, I wondered how modelling the geometry of pattern drafting might unlock new possibilities in the construction of clothing.

In my honours work, I proposed two applications for parametric methods in fashion design: Custom-fit garments: Input the wearer's measurements and output the pattern pieces, ready to cut and sew. Generative print designs: Infinite unique designs born from a single stylistic schema.

In the spirit of research-by-design, I taught myself enough coding to write a program that could generate custom-fit patterns from 3d body scans. I made unique dresses for a bunch of my friends who were all differently proportioned, and iteratively tweaked the program. Lots of trial and error, but the outcomes were a great proof of concept for bespoke dressmaking at scale.

I wrote a second program to generate playful abstract print designs of intersecting bezier shapes. Here, I was inspired by the work of Ellsworth Kelly and Paul Klee's 'From Point and Line to Plane', as well as my own experiments in the CMYK colourspace. I showcased my designs with a collection of runway looks that played with the generative print across more complex garment structures (pleats, vents, pockets, buttons, accessories).

What I Learned

Coding is basically magic.

This was an unlikely way to learn programming, but I ended up falling in love with it. After this project I enrolled in a Master of IT, and continue to play with algorithmic methods in my design work.

Generative design has powerful implications.

Designing systems rather than individual pieces prompts a different way of thinking about the role of the designer. Thoughtful generative design can invite people to co-create unique designs, while maintaining the hand of the designer.

Recognition

• Awarded 'Most Outstanding Thesis' among my graduating cohort.
• Awarded First Class Honours
• Exhibited in group show 'Make/Wear' at First Site Gallery, Nov 2015.
• Exhibited in MSFW X RMIT Graduate Exhibition
• Featured in Yen magazine

Credits

Photography by Sebastian Petrovski. Hair and Makeup by Taryn and Joel Gionis Modelled by Riaz Vickers (Pride Models) and my friends: Bonnie, Sara, Jacinta, Iris, Renee and Anna.