Diffus did it again! New project funded
October 1st our second exciting EU-project – CREATIF – is kicked off where Diffus will be one of three creative partners together with Base Structures (UK) and Zaha Hadid Architects (UK). Technical and research based partners are Grafixoft (BG), Institut für Textiltechnik Aachen (DE), University of Southampton (UK) and Ardeje (FR).
The CREATIF project is based in the area of smart textiles and aims to create collaborative tools in the form of intuitive digital software design tools coupled with digital dispenser printers in order to facilitate interactive print on textile. This tool will allow the user to design, create, layout, visualise and simulate smart fabrics by printing active electronic materials in the form of inks/pastes.
CREATIF is funded by EU´s Seventh Framework Programme and is a design driven development project. It will provide design solutions and tools for the culture and creative industry (CCI).
Recently developed fabric compatible functional inks and printing techniques allow physical realisation of the designs emerging from CREATIF’s collaborative tools. The CREATIF tools will enable any CCI using fabrics to replicate the creative experience of designing smart fabrics, and remove the remaining barriers to entry to this field by significantly reducing the complexity of the process and the technological learning curve required.
The consortium consists of University of Southampton (UK) www.southampton.ac.uk, as project leader and with world leading expertise in creating smart fabrics by printing electronic functional materials, Institut für Textiltechnik Aachen (DE) www.ita.rwth-aachen.de, specialised in fabric machine design, Grafixoft (BG) www.grafixoft.com, a digital design software developer, Ardeje (FR) www.ardeje.fr, an SME specialised in advanced inkjet printers and finally, three creative partners active in both architecture, design and tensile fabrics: Diffus Design (DK) www.diffus.dk, Base Structures (UK) www.basestructures.com and Zaha Hadid Architects (UK) www.zaha-hadid.com
The task for the creative partners will be to demonstrate the use of such creative tools in a real environment by producing three advanced smart fabric prototypes for interactive light emission, interactive colour change and sound surfaces. Those prototypes will take the form of interactive modular blinds and interactive exhibition spaces.
We are looking forward to three years of fantastic and fruitful collaboration!