Interwoven – Exploring Materials and Structures
By MAARIT SALOLAINEN – Maija Fagerlund & Anna-Mari Leppisaari
Page count: 494
Published: 2022
Size: (width x height): 220 x 245
Printing: colour illustrations
Interwoven – Exploring Materials and Structures is a joyous exploration into woven textile design. It dissects woven structures along with the fibres and yarns used to make them, giving exceptional insight into the world of fabrics.
Interwoven outlines how the manifold history of textiles has been intertwined with human innovation from prehistoric twining to the invention of the binary code, through to today’s new material discoveries and urgent quest for sustainability. By investigating the past and present of textiles, and narrating their cross-cultural roles, meanings and influences, Interwoven illustrates how textiles have been used to tell human stories throughout the ages.
The book introduces a new pedagogical method for woven textile design studies, inviting the reader to take a seat at the looms to weave their own stories. Detailed instructions for creating textiles, ranging from fibres and yarns to basic weaves, multi-layered constructions and digital jacquard design, are interspersed by emotionally rich, tactile textile stories by Aalto ARTS design students. The way this book interweaves technical knowledge, artistic expression and storytelling makes it a unique guide on the path to mastering textile design.
“This book weaves the warp of wisdom and the weft of wonder into a fabric of fascinating complexity. Displaying a burst of creativity coupled with a sense of functionality it shows a deep respect for our pummeled planet.
From pre-historic constructions to futuristic applications, this book demonstrates the intelligence of weaving” –Lidewij Edelkoort-
About the author
Maarit Salolainen is an experienced textile design professional with a passion for bringing textile knowledge to multidisciplinary platforms. Salolainen is Head of the Master’s Programme in Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. As Adjunct Professor in Textile Design at Aalto University, she has developed higher education studies in the field of textile and surface design, focusing on renewing studio pedagogy and linking textile studies to fashion education as well as other design disciplines. She has developed experimental pedagogy in multidisciplinary courses exposing engineering students to design processes. Alongside her academic work, Salolainen works in the international textile industry. As a Creative Director for the Turkish textile mill Vanelli, she leads a team of designers and engineers in developing new concepts, products and collections for international interior textile editors and brands.
