Czech eco-design in textile, fashion, glass, jewelry - education of experts
The project represents a concept of study in the bachelor's degree program Design at Faculty of Textile Engineering (Czech Republic). This study program provides unique combination of design and material and technological knowledge of textile, fashion, glass, and jewelry products. It prepares experts in design who respect the possibilities of technologies and materials on the one hand and the requirements of the market for aesthetics, user comfort, functionality and sustainability on the other.
National
Czechia
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Mainly urban
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
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As a representative of an organisation
Name of the organisation(s): Faculty of Textile Engineering Technical Univerzity of Liberec Type of organisation: University or another research institution First name of representative: Vladimir Last name of representative: Bajzik Gender: Male Nationality: Czechia Function: dean of faculty Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Studentska 2 Town: Liberec Postal code: 46017 Country: Czechia Direct Tel:+420 732 060 436 E-mail:jana.drasarova@tul.cz Website:https://www.ft.tul.cz/en/admissions/undergraduate-study-programmes/bachelor-design
The project represents a unique concept of study in the bachelor's degree program (BSP) Design. Students are guided to realize their designs of textiles, fashion, glass, and jewelry in various materials and technologies. Study program prepares experts in design who respect the possibilities of technologies and materials on the one hand and the requirements of the market for aesthetics, user comfort, functionality and sustainability on the other. This is provided at Faculty of Textile Engineering of the Technical University of Liberec (FT TUL, Czech Republic).
The study prepares artists who can flexibly adapt to production and current market needs in their creative work. They have the ability to respect and use the possibilities of specific technologies and materials, while being able to meet current market requirements for aesthetics and functionality. In addition to textile, fashion, glass and jewelry technologies, students also master the basics of aesthetics, graphic expression, and general design. By choosing specializations, they are profiled for employment in the fields of textile, fashion, glass, and jewelry design. They gain significant experience in the practical implementation of their designs in the form of designs and final products in real technologies. This concept of study is unique at universities of a similar nature regarding the technological background of the faculty.
eco-design
textile
fashion
glass
jewelry
Key objectives in terms of sustainability are, in particular:
1. Preservation and development of knowledge and skills of traditional industries in the EU region (design and production of textiles, fashion, glass, jewelry). Develop relevant cultural and creative industries at traditional production sites. This is associated with minimizing the environmental footprint of products.
2. Education of professionals able to responsibly develop eco-design of sustainable products in terms of innovative and recyclable materials, controllable ecological technologies, product design regarding long-term durability, closed life cycle (circularity).
The objectives are met by the following procedures.
Ad1) The synthesis of artistic and technological views creates art collections that, in addition to classic properties such as aesthetics, functionality, economy, safety, ergonomics, technical feasibility, emphasize achieving a minimal impact of the product on the environment in terms of the entire life cycle. Graduates implement their knowledge and skills both on an industrial scale and in start-up companies.
Ad 2) The project fulfills the theme of Sustainability by addressing the progressive design of products by linking an artistic and technical approach to the design of products with maximum durability. These products have the potential to change current unsustainable patterns of overproduction and over consumption, where products are used for ever shorter periods of time and then thrown away. These negative impacts are rooted in a linear model characterized by low product use, reuse, repair, and recycling rates, which often does not prioritize quality, durability and recyclability in design and production.
Educating professionals who combine aesthetics and functionality in product design is the basic goal of BSP Design. Design is a tool to find a sustainable compromise between cultural customs, environmental requirements, and user comfort. The design thinking approach is used not only for the appearance (of textiles, fashion, glass, jewelry) but especially for innovative ecological optimization of products, including the included circularity and energy efficiency, which can be described as "progressive design". The medium is the concept of studio teaching, which focuses on the results of research of various materials, searching for and finding relationships and connections. It is about searching for the essence of a logical solution and reducing uselessness, about finding the composition of space, context and finding the true function of the artefact. The fields of textile, fashion, glass, and jewelry study the relationships between materials and morphology / design with diverse functionality. Emphasis is always placed on development and production, as well as new approaches and connections between the economy and sustainability.
The key objectives in terms of inclusion are:
1) Connection of the artistic and technological aspects of product design, the employ ability of graduates with the vision of sustainable development of society. The artist cooperates with technologies and therefore the outputs and teaching in the subjects always takes place at the level of art and technology. The graduate is comprehensively prepared to integrate into the production process / employment already at school, as the composition of subjects is wide diverse. When designing, emphasis is placed on complexity, i.e., the design must be both artistically successful and the student must be able to make it – implement it and prepare a concept for the development of the project itself, for example for production or research. (CROSSBOARDER RESEARCH APPLIED DESIGN)
2) By its very nature, the University guarantees equal access to education, provides accessible services, scholarships, and other support measures to equalize opportunities to study at the university for students with special needs. In the area of equalization of the conditions of study of students with special needs, FT TUL relies on generally binding legal regulations, further ensures an informed and human dignity respecting the approach of all its employees to students and applicants with special needs and ensures that the services provided and adjustments implemented with the aim of making academic life accessible to students with special needs do not lead to a decrease in study requirements.
3) The public is addressed by the outputs of the project (BSP Design) through exhibition activities (see next points).
The implementation of BSP Design has been influencing cultural events in the region for 30 years (not only in northern Bohemia, but it is also a unique field within the Czech Republic and the EU). The public is influenced mainly through presentation and exhibition activities. An example is:
• Active participation of students in art competitions and exhibitions (about 10 per year) – examples in ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION (Mercedes Benz Prague Fashion Week, Paris design week 2022 Exposition des créations des étudiants de l'Université technique de Liberec)
• FT TUL has been guaranteeing the activity of Gallery N for 20 years, where it organizes exhibitions of its own work, student work of FT and other universities, as well as invited guests
• Experimental corridor gallery is an exhibition project of the Department of Design. The program is to present the author's work of students and graduates. The aim is to provide art students with valuable experience with the realization of their own exhibition. Another aim of the gallery is to bring the work of the young generation closer to students, and the public.
• Examples of graduates' validation: Designer of textiles, fashion, textile and interior accessories, glass, and jewelry; Professions focused on various branches of industry, commerce, and promotion; in enterprises focused on production; focused on computer graphics, design centers, advertising agencies; Independent art business and freelance artists, etc.
• Communication with professional associations, employers' organizations, or other practitioners and ascertains their expectations and requirements for graduates of study programs. Active cooperation takes place also with: Museum of Glass and Jewelry in Jablonec n.N., Association of Glass and Jewelry Manufacturers, Association of Glass and Ceramic Industry of the CR, Preciosa Foundation, North Bohemian Museum Liberec
• Membership of EU companies/organizations. FT TUL is a full member of the International Association of Textile Faculties AUTEX and the World Textile Academy Textile ACADEMY, Winthertur. FT TUL participates in EURATEX (European Apparel and Textile Confederation) meetings and in activities related to international cooperation with the EU European Technology Platform - Fibers Textiles Clothing in eight thematic groups.
• Membership in societies/organizations of the Czech Republic. FT TUL is a member of the Association of Textile-Clothing-Leather Industry ATOK, the Czech Technology Platform for Textiles ČTPT, the cluster of Technical Textiles Clutex o.s. Association of the Glass and Ceramic Industry of the Czech Republic.
• FT TUL study programs are accredited in English for all current study programs (BSP, NMSP, SSP, DSP). All FT TUL study programs are accredited by the European Federation of Engineering National Associations FEANI. The professional body The Textile Institute Manchester has granted international accreditations for all types of SP until 2026.
• Active international cooperation in 2023 (47 partners in the EU https://www.ft.tul.cz/veda-design/partneri-v-eu; in the world 53 partners organizations https://www.ft.tul.cz/veda-design/partneri-ve-svete)
FT TUL has significant results of its academic research and at the same time the possibilities to apply, respectively to depict these results into artistic and artistic form. The processing of fibrous materials by textile technologies is not trivial, it brings new challenges and possibilities. Part of the development strategy R&D FT TUL also combines the technological and artistic aspects of product design. The results of research of new materials and technologies are applied in the design and innovation of products, in new methods and forms design creation. Both sides of the product design (technical and artistic) interconnect, inspire and activate the results of both academics and students and the public.
Specialization: Textile and fashion design focuses on the artistic processing of textiles and clothing. Printing (sublimation, digital), weaving (digital), knitting (electronic jacquard), digital embroidery and handcraft techniques are used for fabric patterning. The design of the clothing turns into a complete collection realization.
Specialization: Glass and jewelry design designs small objects to free sculptures. The students' works represent a wide range of approaches to designer jewelry today. Topics include both classic metal and glass materials and encourage the use of innovative materials and modern technologies developed directly at FT TUL
Specialization: Textile technology and patterning offers classical and experimental concepts of textile design and textiles themselves. A designer in this specialization acquires an aesthetic sense, an overview of trends, a relationship with the processed material and knowledge of the technologies that create or decorate the fabric. Design patterns are also related to innovation and the application of smart materials, such as optical fibers, or textile treatments, such as the application of a thermochromic effect.
The Faculty of Textile Engineering is one of the largest faculties in the EU, which deals with textile material engineering comprehensively and at the same time is the only one of its kind in the Czech Republic. Only the Liberec faculty develops creative activities and provides university education across the entire textile field, carries out basic and applied research from design, material through technology, quality assessment to a wide range of application fields. Its distinctive scientific and research focus goes beyond the Czech Republic and the EU.
Students of BSP Design are profiled for employment in industrial design in the fields of textiles, fashion, glass, and jewelry. They gain significant experience in the practical implementation of their designs of designs and products in classical and innovative technologies. This concept is unique regarding the technological background of the faculty at universities of a similar nature.
The following activities will lead to the achievement of the planned outputs and results:
- material research of user properties of the product
- artistic processing of morphology of design
- expression of guarantee of true environmental claims for truly sustainable products
- presentation of outputs and results to the professional and public.
Project works with the fact that the user must (through high added value) get a positive relationship to the product, which will extend the psychological life. A circular product must not only cover the clothing needs of the user, but also maintain or enhance his social status and provide both optimal comfort to the user. Together with the long service life of suitably selected materials, the real life of clothing can be extended and thus consumption can be reduced. The outputs will be suitable for implementation both on an industrial scale and in start-up companies. Other impacts of the project will be educational and awareness-raising activities among professionals and the public
The potential for the delivery of results lies mainly in the following possibilities:
• implementation of internships and study stays for those interested (students and teachers) – Erasmus, Erasmus+ and self-payers. Teaching is fully accredited and implemented in English
• sharing examples of good practice, sharing studio and technological possibilities
• cooperation with industrial companies and solution of bachelor and semester theses of students, solution of joint projects
• seminars and trainings
• organization of conferences, seminars, workshops
This potential can be guaranteed by FT TUL's long-standing reputation and its national and international cooperation.
Textile, fashion, glass and jewelry design are among the areas in which the Faculty of Textile Engineering of the Technical University of Liberec (FT TUL) has national responsibility both for the development of artistic and technical visions and for the interconnection between art and science. The unique field was founded thirty years ago and has developed into its present form with the cooperation of artists and scientists. It actively implements new methods, approaches, and topics both in teaching and in interdisciplinary implementations and presentations. Knowledge of traditional procedures and the latest trends in materials and technologies are intertwined with teaching.
The global challenge that the presented project reflects is influencing changes in consumer behavior (on the way from "fast" to "slow fashion").
The production (and consumption) of textile, fashion, glass, and jewelry products is significantly influenced by fashion trends. Fashion as such is an important sociological topic and social phenomenon. As a sociological theme, fashion lies at the intersection of several basic disciplines, including collective and personal identity, dynamics, production, and consumption (supply and demand), and social difference and the mechanism of imitation.
The project – BSP Design – educates professionals capable of influencing the development of society by being able to implement sustainable product collections. By combining artistic practices with deep knowledge of the utility properties of materials and innovative technologies, products will be created that will combine psychological and aesthetic comfort with a minimal ecological footprint. The synthesis will create collections that, in addition to classic properties such as aesthetics, functionality, economy, safety, ergonomics, technical feasibility, will emphasize achieving a minimal environmental impact of the product in terms of the entire life cycle. The issue of ecology, durability and circularity is very complex and cannot be solved only in terms of material engineering. It is an issue involving artistic and psychological aspects of the interaction of clothing with its user.
The branch builds on more than centuries-old traditions of the textile, glass, jewelry and costume jewelry industry of northern Bohemia and develops them by combining them with modern technologies and knowledge for eco-design of textile, fashion, glass and jewelry products for the sustainable development of culturally creative industries.
Since the establishment of the field 30 years ago, FT TUL has educated more than 900 graduates in BSP Design. The success of the concept is also shown by the fact that FT TUL also implements a bachelor's degree program in English for foreign students and has also received accreditation for the follow-up master’s degree program Design – textiles, fashion, glass, jewelry. The aim of the study in the follow-up master’s degree program is to prepare university-educated designers for creative industries, local design studios and freelance artists, able to reflect current trends in the development of art and design in a local and global context.
The development plan of this initiative includes two main aspects:
1) internal development of the field and connection with a master's study program. The success of the concept is also shown by the fact that FT TUL also implements a bachelor's degree program in English for foreign students and has also received accreditation for the elite follow-up master’s degree program Design – textiles, fashion, glass, jewelry. The aim of the study in the follow-up master’s degree program is to prepare university-educated designers for creative industries, local design studios and freelance artists, able to reflect current trends in the development of art and design in a local and global context.
2) promotion of a study program, which implements the basic ideas of New European Bauhaus in practice: connection of design - function - sustainability. Extend local experience and results of applied design to the European area
The concept of teaching follows the ideas of the Bauhaus by linking art with design and builds on mastered craftsmanship - form follows function. This basic trio is enriched by the Faculty of Textile Engineering by linking it with the knowledge and viewpoints of science and research in materials and technologies of production of textiles, fashion, glass, and jewelry.
The submitted project – teaching in BSP Design – introduces the principles of the New European Bauhaus at the level of policy formulation, production processes and product design. Innovative realizations will be created by blending new artistic procedures with technological solutions through a deep knowledge of materials and innovative technologies. In this project, the artistic approach is a key tool for integrating the functional, emotional, and social experiences of the customer into an ecological clothing product, a way to find a sustainable compromise between cultural habits, ecological requirements and user comfort.
During their studies, they are trained to be experts who know how to interweave artistic processes into sophisticated design with deep knowledge of the useful properties of materials and innovative technologies. From their design, products are created that have the potential to connect psychological and aesthetic comfort with a minimal ecological footprint. The activities developed within the project educate people who are aware that their actions affect the community, with a deep respect for nature and able to develop products that are circular and sustainable.
