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.

10.25.2010

Keeping current, keeping busy

Hello my dear blog community!

It has been another exciting couple of months.  This post is just a quick summary of some of the most exciting things I've been up to in the automotive, textile, and design worlds.

In addition to my pet care business, the past few months have presented me with opportunities for freelance and part time work within my discipline.

One of these opportunities includes creating conceptual artwork that an automotive textiles supplier plans to use as inspiration for new designs.

I have also been working with my former professor, Vita Plume.  Vita is a Fibers and Surface Designer, and a world-renowned weaver.  She recently recieved a grant from the North Carolina Art Council to produce a body of work.  I have been assisting her as a weaving technician on the College of Design's TC-1 Hand-Jacquard loom.

Additionally, Vescom America has invited me to join their Product Design team.  I will primarily be assisting the team with hands-on screenprinting.  Vescom is a leading developer of interior products for the international market.  This primarily includes vinyl and textile wall coverings.  They offer sustainable, anti-microbial, and high fashion designs for all interior spaces.  I start with Vescom and look forward to learning more about the company and product.  Please check them out: http://www.vescom.com 


Staying current and networking have been my keys to success.  This month, I was able to do both by attending the Inter-Society Color Council annual meeting.  The ISCC was founded in 1931 with the goal of advancing the knowledge of color as it relates to art, science, and industry.  The council provides the unique opportunity to combine experts from each discipline.  Far too often artist, scientists, industrial researchers, and academics do not get to interact.  I find these relationships interesting and valuable, as presented in my thesis research.  It is important that each area works with one another and can "speak the language" of each group.
To learn more about ISCC, check out: http://www.iscc.org/





















I'd also like to thank one of my worldly readers for sharing their website with me, which I will now share with you: http://racing-top.com.es/  
Thanks Javier- great links!
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