About My Research

This site serves as a reflection of my graduate thesis work in automotive textile design at North Carolina State University.  I began this site in January 2009 and plan to maintain it until my graduation in December 2009.  I have been in the graduate program at the College of Textiles for 1 year of a 2 year program.  During this first year, I have focused on the automotive industry, design, and sustainability.  Now at the half-way point, I have selected my thesis topic and made plans as to how to approach my research so that my work is complete by October 2009.  In the right column of this blog, I have posted my personal timeline to ensure that I am meeting my deadlines.  Please take time to look through all the information included in the right hand column, especially if this is your first time visiting this site.

The purpose of this site is 3-fold.
1) Most scholars are only given 1 chance to write a thesis, and 2 years to learn how to do so.  Sure there are books on research methods and databases of theses to form a background or starting place for your work, but no one really explains to us exactly what this process is like from start to finish.
2) Over the past year, I have learned beyond my expectations about the automotive industry, past, current, and future.  Throughout my next year of study, I have access to resources that would be coveted by any designer in this industry and plan to uncover valuable correlations between design and success.  I will post many images and articles which I find the most enriching.
and 3) Writing my thoughts and progress where it is publicly available will encourage me to meet deadlines and provide a clear platform to keep my committee informed.

My Topic
I will be examining the history of automotive bodycloth development and aligning this with outside factors such as the economy, increase in mass production, increase in technical standards and regulations, the importance of fashion and color, along with what at this time is an unpredictable number of additional variables.  The ultimate question I aim to answer is if there is a concrete way to measure and predict success in order to save time, money, and resources.

4.29.2009

Art to Wear 2009!

Why not make it a 2 post night?!  Especially with all the end of the school year excitement!
One of the biggest events to happen at NC State each year is the Art to Wear Fashion Show, a collaborative event hosted by the College of Textiles and the College of Design.  

Art to Wear was initiated in 2001 by Anni Albers Scholars (my program!) with the help of College of Design and AASP faculty member, Vita Plume.  Since its initiation 8 years ago, the show has grown from 100 spectators, to over 3000!  Over the years Art to Wear has changed many features to meet the demands of its increasing popularity: it has had 3 different homes on NCSU's campus, studio classes have been added to both colleges focusing on the show, and the committee of students involved in all aspects from design, to communications, to fundraising and more has grown substantially!  One thing that has not changed with time, is the extreme quality and creativity unleashed in every one of the student designs.  The professionalism of this event is remarkable, and admirable!  I am proud to have been a part of this event in the past, but I also enjoyed this year's experience as an audience member.  This was the first time I had not seen the designers' pieces prior to the show, and I was as impressed as ever!  

Designers
Vansana Norlintha "One Human Circle"
Courtney Hummel "Garnish Delight"
Alyssa McNamara "Rooted"
Katlyn Griffin "Absolutely, Maybe"
Hannah Goff "Bound"
Lauren Boynton "At the Beach"
Allison Russell "The Legion of Steam Underground Ball"
Veronica Tibbetts "American Dream"
Adrienne L. McKenzie "Rapture, A Masquerade"
Jessica Roush "Tribal Fusion"
Chase Kennedy "A Reflection of Rebellion"
Leigh LaVange "Frosted Heart"
Amy Quinn "Le Danse des Desserts"
Shelley Smith "Wanderlust"
Charlotte Guice "Nesting"









For more stories and images, please visit the following sites:
- The Technician is NCSU's Student Paper
- The News and Observer is RDU's Primary Paper News Source
- These are collections from friends and spectators available on Flikr
- And my photo set :)









Art to Wear Team
Director: Amy Quinn
Fundraising: Emily Cheng
Arrangements: Katie Skinner | Jay Ross
Photo/Video: Kiley Schiffman (Provided by Jeff Basladynsi, Saul Flores, Marc Helk, Grace Young, and Island Sound DJ's & Video)
Graphics: Katlyn Griffin | Sarah Gudely (Provided by Iris Chen and Toni Chester)
Jury/PR: Richelle Smith
Treasurer: Morgane Klareich
Communications: Katie Banner
Stage Moms/Seating: Amy Gray | Kenzie Morrison | Liz Howell
Hair/Makeup: Candis Shiflett | Jenny Le (Provided by Paul Mitchell Emerald Academy)
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Cindy Istook | Jan-Run Wan

Thanks is also given to Dean Marvin Malecha, Chandra Cox, and Sherry O'Neal of the College of Design.  
As well as Dean Blanton Godfrey, Emily Parker, and Shawn Dunning of the College of Textiles.
The many sponsors, including Sunbrella, Tumbling Collors, Jerry's Artarama (and many more)
MC: Michael Perros
Model Training: G and S Talent Inc.
and of course the Jurors: Kate Kretz | Nico Morrison | Myriah Zaytoun













For more information, please visit the Art to Wear webpage at: www.ncsuarttowear.com
DVDs of the entire show are available for order from this site!

Also, if you missed the show, you'll be able to see the collections May 11 at some of the fashion boutiques at Cameron Village in Raleigh!
Great Video Explaining this Unique Event!

Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP)

Classes have ended- yey!  So planning my summer has begun!

This summer I have 1 focus: thesis, Thesis, THESIS!  In order to keep my sanity, I am already looking for new activities to fill my calendar and keep me social, rather than locked in the library.  One cure to my isolation may be to help work with the STEP program of the NCSU College of Textiles.  

STEP is a summer program for rising high school seniors that serves as a valuable introduction into the world of textiles.  Each session is 1 week long and can host 28 students, who are invited to stay in campus dorms in order to get the full campus experience.  Each morning, students participate in textile-related presentations and activities, including visits to local businesses and a tour of the NC State campus.  After lunch, the students divide into groups depending on their interests in one of the following topics: polymer and color chemistry, engineering, apparel/clothing design, textile/fabric design, or business management.  These groups will work together on a project pertaining to their topic, which will be presented at the end of the week.  

Each afternoon students can enjoy free-time, or group activities such as bowling and cookouts.  On Friday, presentations will be given to students, parents, and professors and a cookout celebration will be held to commend their accomplishments!



If you are interested, applications are available at: www.tx.ncsu.edu/student_services/step/index.cfm
The deadline for this summer's program is MAY 1st at 5:00: FRIDAY! 

This year's Sessions:
1st week: June 14-19
2nd week: June 21-26
3rd week: July 5-10
4th week: July 12-17

Because of this deadline, I'm am sure high school freshmen-juniors will find this post more helpful for the upcoming summers.  If you are interested in applying before this deadline, please contact Brandon Alley at Textile Student Services: bsalley@ncsu.edu, or you can always contact me with any questions.

For more information about the STEP program, please visit: www.tx.ncsu.edu/student_services

4.09.2009

NCSU College of Textiles Research Open House

Next Thursday, April 16th, the NC State College of Textiles and the Textile Association of Graduate Students are hosting the Seventh Annual Research Open House. The event takes place from 8:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. on the Centennial Campus. The day's events include recognized speakers from the College and the textile industry, CoT tours, and a poster session featuring current graduate work.
For full information about this event, including the schedule, speakers, directions to the College and contact information, please visit: www.tx.ncsu.edu.

I will be presenting my research as a work in progress. My research poster is posted below, as well as my poster from last year that outlines the product development process for my Splinter seating prototypes.