Abstract:

Textiles have faced a new challenge with the advancement of electronics and nanotechnology; they are now expected to exhibit additional functionalities besides making people warm and comfortable. Smart textiles represented the newest stage of the technological revolution, which is grounded in new fibre materials and textile manufacturing processes for fabrics that see, hear, sense, communicate, store and convert energy, and even change colour. This multi-disciplinary field includes end-to-end prototyping from fibre design to system integration of new textile based products, and also requires to comprehend the underpinnings of material science and nanotechnology. Classical teaching methods are not effective enough to engage and motivate students with art and design background. The real question is, “How do you teach smart textiles in graduate level, especially to the students who had never studied quantum mechanics, differential equations and fluid dynamics before?” This study outlines reshaping teaching strategies for innovative and tangible materials in art and design education, and addresses the importance of student-led experiences in research projects and integration of hands-on learning.

Keywords:

Nanotechnology, innovative materials, art education, research.