Dissertation Proposal Part 2

Title (max 50 words)
This should give an outline of your research topic. If appropriate use a title and a subtitle. You need to get specific and refine the title to capture your research as best as possible.

Are technology textiles just a visual and engineering experiment or does it have a place alongside traditional crafts?



Summary (Stage 2 = max 1000 words, Stage 3 = 1500)
Here you should indicate what you already know about the topic. You should already have done some reading around it. Summarise this reading with regards to the research topic and describe the research area. This will provide the basis for a literature review.


When looking at the topic technology textiles I began looking into the different designers and companies working within these areas. Initially there were two areas in which I wanted to research. The idea of are technology textiles just prototypes or are they useable, wearable and practical in everyday life. Also is it then the usability/wear ability that defines their role and place in society and within textiles. Another area I am interested in is looking at the idea of technology textiles alongside traditional crafts, and looking at them working together and what are the possibilities of this. From research into different types of technology textiles there are two main areas within technology textiles, the functional and the decorative, show pieces. The functional pieces are created to be socially beneficial and created to serve a purpose, where as the show pieces are generally created for effect and are normally shown in a gallery space. These cross the line between fine art and textiles.
From further research into technology textiles and fashionable wearable’s it is shown that they are associated and applied with a range of different displines and technologies which interlink and connect. From biotechnology, nanotechnology, digital technology, textile technology, along with tools and software. The first links between fashion and textiles being integrated with technology was in 1956 with an electronic dress by Atsuko Tanaka. With further developed and exploration more current fashion designers such as Hussein Chalalyn use technology within their work, using this as a means of expressing himself as a fashion designer. This represents the more artist and conceptual use and exploration of technology within fashion and textiles. Design companies such as Loop. Ph work with technology but for different purposes, they want to create new ways of thinking about textiles and create a link between the built environments and nature. This is to create interactive structures that are responsive in terms of harnessing energy and creating a new power source. They aim to create textiles that are scaled up to the size of a built environment and create a sustainable environment. This is a functional textile company that aim for their textiles to serve a purpose and create new ways of looking at textiles in terms of the functions that they can offer. Another designer that works with technology is Cat Mazza and through her work she aims to use it as a tool to protest against sweatshops. Along with using technology she also uses handcrafts and integrates and combines these two areas, as she found by working with technology alongside craft, it allows her to connect with the more tactile elements of handcraft along with the possibilities and innovative ways of working with technology.
The other area I want to research is looking at technology working alongside traditional crafts and being interlinked. Through research I looked into the history of crafts and where it is now in order to establish a new way of working and thinking about craft. Craft during the twentieth century was separated from art and design and there then became a split between having ideas and making things. This idea has changed and the perception of craft nowadays is to have the knowledge and skill in a specialism in order to create and make things. From research I have looked at the future of craft is influenced and integrated with new technologies to create innovation and possibilities in the future. This is shown by the increasing number of designers incorporating the hand crafted elements and technology.
From my initial research I found an interesting link between technology and craft and how in some aspects technology could be considered a craft in itself and how through this idea it allows technology to be more accessible. This also brings the tactile elements in craft alongside the technical possibilities of technology therefore creating a link between the contemporary maker and traditional craftsmen. From further research I have looked at this idea of the link between technology and craft. The book entitled ‘The Culture of Craft’ by peter Dormer explores the idea the in order to be the master of your craft you have to have the knowledge and in using technology you don’t have the complete knowledge as it is through engineers and programs that have the knowledge. But through linking this idea and the idea from a blog entitled ‘Things We Make’ by Ryan Varga that looks at creating technology that people can assemble and repair themselves therefore becoming the the master of the technology and therefore the master of the craft of technology. This new way of approaching technology and craft and creates new ways of thinking and possibly a new craft movement.



(Continued over)
Aims: Why are you doing this? (max 100 words)
These are a general statement on the intent or direction for the research – why are you doing this? Refer to theoretical aims and practical ones where relevant. For example: How might this improve your design practice? How does it contribute to the discourses within your discipline? Who else might benefit from your research? Is it aimed at an academic or a wider audience? What do you hope your research will achieve? State your aims concisely, perhaps using bullet points.

The aims of the dissertation in terms of looking at technology textiles I want to look at are they becoming wearable and usable. Also looking at the reasons for creating techno textiles and the possibilities these offer in terms of society and links with craft. Also looking at technology and traditional crafts and possibly looking at the idea of is technology a craft in itself? I also want to look at where is traditional crafts at the moment and where have they been in order to look at new ways of working and approaches to crafts and technology.

Objectives: What will you produce? (max 100 words)
Objectives are the things you will produce in doing the dissertation, e.g. a review of the relevant literature, a collection and discussion of people’s experiences/opinions, an assessment of a debate or collection of work etc
Like your aims, these will help your tutor (and you) assess your success. They may change over time but aims and objectives are useful to keep you focused. Again be concise here – you may want to use bullet points.

- The primary research:
- Interviews with designers and people working with technology and craft to explore their work and their opinions. Also why they work with technology. Also looking at why their views on technology and craft.
- The secondary research:
- Researching books, blogs, journals and websites.
- From research I have already done it shows that I could establish the development of technology textiles and explore the different types of technology. Also explore the possibilities of looking at technology and craft and the ways in which these could be combined to create new ways of working.



Keywords (min 5 and max 10)
This should be a list of key terms that help us see if you are aware of where your research ‘sits’. For example, if you are writing on depictions of women in advertising your list might include ‘gender, feminism, representation, advertising, semiotics’. Keywords will help you when doing electronic searched for research materials.

Craft, Technology, Possibilities, Relationships, Links, Contemporary, innovation, Roles, Accessibility


Expanded Bibliography (min of 24 books, articles, websites)
Place here alphabetically a list of materials which you intent to use for you dissertation. Format these according to the Harvard Method.
Please make sure you have critically assessed these as being appropriate for your topic and write a short paragraph for each one summarising the content and its relevance to your research area.


-Braddock Clarke, S. E.and Mahony, M., 2005. Techno Textiles 2. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd.

This source is useful for researching my topic as it looks at the different types of technology and revolutionary new fabrics and textiles

-Braddock Clarke, S. E.and O’ Mhony, M,1998, Techno Textiles: Revolutionary fabrics for fashion and design. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd.

This is the slightly older version to techno textiles 2, however it contains a different selection of designers and textiles. It also gives me a good insight into the different types of technology textiles available

- Braddock, M., 2002. Sports tech: Revolutionary fabrics and design. London: Thames and Hudson

This source enables research into the more technical and functional side of technology textiles.

-Cat Mazza,2010.Art.[online] Available at [Accessed 30th November]

This is a website for the designer Cat Mazza, who I found in one of the books and she is a designer who works with both technology and craft, this relates to my topic as she is a designer combining both areas within her work.

- Clark, R., Estes, F., (1998).Technology or Craft: What are we doing?

- Colchester, C., 2009. Textiles Today: a global survey of trends and traditions. London: Thames and Hudson

-Cole, D., 2008. Textiles Now. London: Lawrence and King

This is a visual exploration of textiles and the ways in which they have developed to create new and innovative textiles.

- David, C., 2008. Futurotextiel 08.suprising textiles, design and art, Oostkamp Belguim: Stichting Kunst book

This source looks at new and innovative ways use using technology and textile and explores new technology and textiles in the future.

- Dormer, P., 1997. The Culture of Craft. Manchester: Manchester University Press

This source is useful at looking at the area of culture, exploring the history of crafts and crafts with technology. The only aspect making not as relevant to my topic is it is not current and up to date with views on technology and craft.

- Eric, 2006. Talk to my T-shirt [Online] Available at [Accessed 5th March]

This is a website that looks at the most current and up to date technology textiles and fashion, therefore enabling me to research designers and new, innovative developments in technology.

- Follett, G., Valentine, L., 2007. New Craft- Future Voices Conference. Dundee: Duncan and Jordonstone College of Art and Design

This source is from a conference held in Dundee looking at craft, with participants of people exploring different projects relating to craft. This source is relevant to my topic as it looks at the idea of traditional craft with some of the project incorpated with technology, therefore offering information and as it is a local conference with designers working in craft based areas it might offer possible people to interview.

-Gschwandtner, S.,2007. KnitKnit: Profiles + Projects from knittings new wave.New York: Stewart, Tabori and Chang

This source looks at different designer working within knit and includes profiles and information on the ways in which they work. This is relevant for my topic as it looks at craft and how different designer approach and look at craft.

-Hussein Chalayan,2010. Hussein Chalayan.[online] Available at [Accessed 1st November]

This source explores the work of the designer Hussein Chalayn, who works with technology and fashion. This source is revelent to my dissertation as this designer was one of the first to explore and experiment with technology within his work and he is also an example of an artists who’s work is more a visual experiment and is shown within gallery spaces.

- Joanne Hodge, 2009. Joprints, [Blog] Available at
[Accessed 5th March]

This is a website of a textile designer Joanne Hodge who is currently doing a PHD on technology textiles, therefore this is a revelent source as the links to blogs, twitter and flicker offer really good knowledge of current technology textiles and events and sources in this area.

- Lee, S., 2007. Fashioning the Future: tomorrow’s wardrobe. London: Thames and Hudson

This looks at textiles and fashions at the time it was written the most current designers, it is relevant as it looks ad technological advances in textiles and fashion and looks at different designers.

- Macarena, M., 2010. Future fashion: innovative materials and technology. Barcelona: Promotora de Prensa International S A ( Promopress)

-Mcfadden, D. R.,2007. Radical lace and subversive knitting. New York: Museum of Arts and Design.

This source shows artists and designers working with knitting and constructed textiles in a new and innovative way. \this allows me to explore different areas and ways of working and explores different artist working with technology and knitting.

-McQuaid, M., 2005. Extreme Textiles: Designing for High Performance. :Princeton Architectural Press


-Pakhchyan, S.,2008. Fashioning technology: A DIY intro into smart crafting. Sebastopol, Calif: O’Reilly.

This source enables you to gain knowledge from a designer working in this area and shows her views towards integrating technology with craft. This literature also gives knowledge on materials and ways in which I could incorporate technology into my own work.

- Quinn, B.,2010.Textile Futures: Fashion, design and technology. New York: Berg

This source explore different designers and design companies working with technology and also explains the different types of technology that can be applied and how. It also looks at the purposes of creating the textiles and what they are trying to achieve, looking at different areas such as surfaces and sustainability.

- Quinn, B., 2009.Textile Designers at the cutting edge. London: Lawrence and King

This explores different designers working within textiles and explores the ways in which they work. It is revelent in that it is exploring designers working in new ways to create innovative textiles.


- Quinn, B., 2002. Techno Fashion. New York :Berg Publishers

- Ryan Varga,2010. We make things.vimeo,[Blog] 15 November, Available at: [Accessed 3rd December 2010]

This is a blog exploring a new way of craft thinking, and is relevant for topic as it talks about how technology could be considered a craft in itself and offers a new idea and new way of thinking about technology and craft.

-Seymour, S., 2009. Fashionable Technology the intersection of design, fashion, science and technology. Austria: Springer-Verlag/Wien.

This source explores different designers and companies working with technology textiles and allows you to explore the different methods of applying and using technology with textiles and fashion. Also showing the different ways and innovations. It also offers where you can buy the different types of equipment and web pages.

-Seymour, S., 2010. Functional Aesthetics; visions in fashionable technology. Austria: Springer-Verlag/Wien

This source is by the same author as the source above but this is of a lot more relevance to my topic as along with exploring the different designers and design companies working with technology, it also looks at how technology textiles are integrated and used in fashion and the timeline showing who technology textiles became and how they are now becoming more usable and wearable for the purposes they were designed for. It also looks at where these pieces are showcased and displayed.

- Syuzi,2010. Fashioning technology: A “Smart” crafting community,[Blog] 10 November ,Available at: [Accessed 28th November]

This source allows you to explore the ways in which a designer who works with traditional crafts and applies technology. This is a DIY manual showing you how you can apply technology to your own work and explaining how it all works.

- Threewalls,2010.Cat Mazza: knit for defence.[online] Available at
[Accessed 3rd December 2010].

This is a website created by the designer Cat Mazza that looks at how she has applied technology and handcrafts to different projects that aim to protest and make people question and look at what the buy and how it is made. This is of relevance as it shows how technology can be used with craft and also how the textiles can offer a function.

dissertation Proposal

Dissertation Proposal Part 1

Working title (max 25 words)
This should give an outline of your research topic. If appropriate use a title and a subtitle. You don’t have to be too specific at first and you don’t have to word it like a question - but you can if you want.
Are technology textiles just a visual and engineering experiment or does it have a place alongside traditional crafts?

Summary (max 250 words)
Here you should indicate what you already know about the topic. You should already have done some reading around it. Summarise this reading with regards to the research topic and describe the research area.
When looking at the topic technology textiles I began looking into the different designers and companies working within these areas. There are two areas in which I want to research. The idea of is technology textiles just prototypes or are they useable, wearable and practical in everyday life. Also is It then the usability/wear ability that defines their role and place in society and in textiles. Another area I am interested in is looking at the idea of technology textiles alongside traditional crafts, and looking at them working together and what are the possibilities of this. From research into different types of technology textiles there are two main areas within technology textiles the functional and the decorative, show pieces. The functional pieces are created to be socially beneficial and created to serve a purpose, where as the show pieces are generally created for effect and are normally shown in a gallery space, these cross the line between fine art and textiles. From my initial research I have found an interesting link between technology and craft and how in some aspects technology could be considered a craft in itself and how through this idea it allows technology to be more accessible. This also brings the tactile elements in craft alongside the technical possibilities of technology therefore creating a link between the contemporary maker and traditional craftsmen.

(Continued over)
Aims: Why are you doing this? (max 100 words)
These are a general statement on the intent or direction for the research – why are you doing this? Refer to theoretical aims and practical ones where relevant. For example: How might this improve your design practice? How does it contribute to the discourses within your discipline? Who else might benefit from your research? Is it aimed at an academic or a wider audience? What do you hope your research will achieve? State your aims concisely.
From this research I aim to look at if technology textiles are just prototypes or are they practical and useable in everyday life. I also aim to look at if the bridge between technology and craft can be achieved and with what effects. From my research I could gain wider knowledge of the different possibilities and alternative ways of working with technology and craft. This could benefit my studio practise through exploring and using new materials to achieve pieces that are exciting and innovative. This research is aimed at designers to create new ways of working, thinking and using materials.

Objectives: What will you produce? (max 100 words)
Objectives are the things you will produce in doing the dissertation, e.g. a review of the relevant literature, a collection and discussion of people’s experiences/opinions, an assessment of a debate or collection of work etc.
Like your aims, these will help your tutor (and you) assess your success. They may change over time but aims and objectives are useful to keep you focussed. Again be concise here – you may want to use bullet points.
For my primary based research;
- I would try to conduct Interviews or email designers working in both technology textiles and crafts and especially designers that are combine both of these. These designers and companies might include cat mazza and loop pH, Hussein Chalayn and Syuzi Pakhchyan etc
- I Could try visiting places specialising in traditional crafts and others that specialise in technology textiles
-Carry out questionnaire to try and establish how people view technology and craft and what roles and place in society do they see technology and craft.
For secondary research;
-Carry out literature reviews and research
Keywords (min 5 and max 10)
This should be a list of key terms that help us see if you are aware of where your research ‘sits’. For example, if you are writing on depictions of women in advertising your list might include ‘gender, feminism, representation, advertising, semiotics’. Keywords will help you when doing electronic searched for research materials.
Technology, crafts, relationships, links, possibilities, usability, innovation, contemporary, accessibility, roles

Annotated Bibliography (min of 12 books, articles, websites)
Place here alphabetically a list of materials which you intent to use for you dissertation. Format these according to the Harvard Method!
Please make sure you have critically assessed these as being appropriate for your topic and write a short paragraph for each one summarising the content and its relevance to your research area.

-Braddock Clarke, S. E.and Mahony, M., 2005. Techno Textiles 2. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd.

This source is useful for researching my topic as it looks at the different types of technology and revolutionary new fabrics and textiles

-Braddock Clarke, S. E.and O’ Mhony, M,1998, Techno Textiles: Revolutionary fabrics for fashion and design. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd.

This is the slightly older version to techno textiles 2, however it contains a different selection of designers and textiles. It also gives me a good insight into the different types of technology textiles available

-Cat Mazza,2010.Art.[online] Available at [Accessed 30th November]

This is a website for the designer Cat Mazza, who I found in one of the books and she is a designer who works with both technology and craft, this relates to my topic as she is a designer combining both areas within her work

-Gschwandtner, S.,2007. KnitKnit: Profiles + Projects from knittings new wave.New York: Stewart, Tabori and Chang

-Hussein Chalayan,2010. Hussein Chalayan.[online] Available at [Accessed 1st November]


-Mcfadden, D. R.,2007. Radical lace and subversive knitting. New York: Museum of Arts and Design.

-Pakhchyan, S.,2008. Fashioning technology: A DIY intro into smart crafting. Sebastopol, Calif: O’Reilly.

- Quinn, B.,2010.Textile Futures: Fashion, design and technology. New York: Berg

- Ryan Varga,2010. We make things.vimeo,[Blog] 15 November, Available at: [Accessed 3rd December 2010]

-Seymour, S., 2009. Fashionable Technology the intersection of design, fashion, science and technology. Austria: Springer-Verlag/Wien.

- Syuzi,2010. Fashioning technology: A “Smart” crafting community,[Blog] 10 November ,Available at: [Accessed 28th November]

- Threewalls,2010.Cat Mazza: knit for defence.[online] Available at
[Accessed 3rd December 2010].

Assignment 1 Semester 2

Assignment 1 Semester 2
For the first assignment we had to complete a personality test, from this the results were different from what I thought they would be as it showed me as low in all areas with the highest result showing me as an activist . Before carrying out the test I would have considered myself to be a reflector or theorist, but not really an activist. But when considering these results I could see that I could have aspects of my personality especially with my approach to my art work of being considered an activist, therefore this might be an aspect that I could then express within myself and through other areas of my personality. The aspects that made me consider myself to be a reflector, are aspect which I could build on in my art work and improve on in life but add in the confidence and other aspects of an activist.
My results:
Activist- Low, Reflector-Very Low, Theorist-Very Low, pragmatist-Very Low

From the groups results we have a high amount of activists and theorists, and throughout the group there is a good balance between each of the different areas, with the only a areas which we might need to work on is reflectors and pragmatists. Therefore working on improving areas such as practical thinking and reflect ring and considering ideas to create the most effective work.

Abbie- Activist, Reflector
Leeanne- Theorist
Kirsty- Activist
Gary- Activist, Theorist, Pragmatist
Fiona- Activist
Victoria- Activist

Assignment 4 Summary

Fashionable technology- The Intersection of design, fashion, science and technology by Sabine Seymour

The first source I have chosen to look at is a book entitled ‘Fashionable technology- The Intersection of design, fashion, science and technology’ by Sabine Seymour, this is a visual exploration of designers and design companies that specialise in different areas of technology textiles. The book is divided up into sections that look at different areas and types of technologies that can be applied to textiles. The information in this source is useful for the topic I have chose as it allows me to learn about the different types of technology there is available and what companies and designers are doing with these technologies in order to create these innovative, unique pieces of textiles. At the start of the book it looks at and lists the types of technologies that could be applied and the considerations in doing this, in terms of material, garment construction etc. From this source it is clear to see that technologies within this field have been applied in to different areas one is for function and carry out a purpose, where the other one is for effect and experiment with how far you can push fashion and textiles to achieve effects.
The purpose of the is book it to inform and learn about the technology textiles and different areas of technology textiles that designers are working in.
The different examples of designers and design companies that are included in the book are Despina Papadopoulos Studio 5050 that are based in New York USA and have created a solar panel dress that is entitled ‘Day for night’ 2006. This is a dress that is made up of circuit boards, which have solar cells to create energy in the dress.
Another design company is that of Manel torres fabrican that are based in London UK and they have created spray on fabric by Paul Luckham. This consists of fibres and polymers that can be sprayed on to any surface to create a sprayed on fabric;
“ His research involved crossing the interrelating disciplines of science and fashion design”
The design company Cute circuit which is based in London, Uk, is a company which specialise in “wearable technology and interaction design”. An example of there designs is the M-Dress (Mobile phone dress) (2007). This is a silk , jersey dress that is also a mobile phone, and it is through the label of the dress that the sim card is placed and through the sleeve that you can talk and hear through.
Another designer working in the area of technology textiles is Hussein Chalasyn who is based in London Uk. His work uses “film, installations and sculptural forms” to explore ideas and uses technology along with different ideas as a technique to do this. Compared with a number of the other examples this designers work uses and explores the idea of art rather than function.
This book explore the different designers that work in and with technology textiles and shows the different and variety of possibilities and ideas explored through technology. In the book it also looks at where you can buy the materials required to experiment with technology, which would allow me to experiment with technology within my own work.


Textile Futures fashion, design and technology By Bradley Quinn

The Book entitled ‘Textile Futures’ by Bradley Quinn is a book exploring the possibilities and different types of textile technology and how designers are using this technology. In the introduction to this book the author explains how they decided to explore the area of technology textiles after being told to go and see an exhibition which looked at this area and being instantly interested and intrigued with the possibilities and ideas of technology being applied to textiles wanted to explore it. In the book it looks at the different types of technology and how it can be applied to textiles and then goes on the explore different designers and design companies using and exploring technology within their work.
“Textiles are transcending their traditional functions and textile futures centres around my conviction that they are morphing into uniquely tactile interfaces through which broader sensory stimulus can be perceived.”
The book looks at the different types of technology that can be applied to textiles therefore allowing me to gain knowledge of this area and learn about the possibilities available for using technology within textiles. It then looks at examples of where technology has been used by designers and differs from the other source I have looked at as it doesn’t just look at the technology in terms of fashion it explores it from all areas of design for instance environmental design, interior design and architecture. An example of this is from a company called Loop.PH which uses technology to create bio, ecological, sustainable installations and sculptures, which also helps the environment around them and tries to promote more eco friendly living and community based work. The ways in which they have used technology is for example is in the idea called Metoblicity, which is small scale glow labs put together to create small sculptures that integrate both hi-tec and traditional farming techniques to allow people to grow and produce plants and vegetables in built up environments for example up street lamps etc.
“Our world seems polarised around sensory extremes, hard, soft, protection and exposure, intransigence and tactility. As textiles embrace new types of fibres and fulfil new roles they bridge these polarities better than any other material.”
In this book along with informing about the different types of technologies it also give insight into the ways in which these fabrics have been developed and how they can be applied to new areas along with traditional uses. It also explores these ideas in a much wider sense than just textiles and looks at how they can be applied in a number of ways and creates exciting new possibilities. The purpose of the book is to inform and excite people in technology textiles and to explore the areas of technology along with looking into traditional areas and how the two can be used together.
“Fibres are dramatically transforming the world around us, and as they do so they also inspire radical new visions for the future.”

Assignment 3 Dissertation Mind Map

This week we had a meeting with our group to discuss and devlop ideas for our mind maps and ideas for our dissertations topics. From the discussion we looked at and discussed peoples mind maps, and tryed and think of different topics and social issues that people could look at. Some people in the group already had an idea or area that they wanted to look, or had a concept in mind that they wanted to explore. From the group meeting and disseration shop I have decided for my dissertation I am thinking about looing at technology in textiles and how these can be used to devlop society and social issues and design in general.

Assignment 1 Fair Trade and Design

Fair Trade and Design
Lynsey Hutchison
Textiles
Fair trade is a globally recognised form of trading that’s aims and goals is to reform and develop new means of trading which offers a fairer alternative to the producers in developing countries. These means of trading try to ensure an equal and fair method of trading between the businesses and the producers. Fair trade tries to ensure certain standards which include fair minimum price which is agreed with the producer and fair pay, improved working conditions. Fair trade also provides a fair-trade premium which can be used to invest to improve the social, economic and environmental development for the producers. Another benefit and commitment of fair-trade is to try and create a partnership between the producers and the traders in order to create a long term, beneficial trading method to help create security for the producer and their businesses. This then enabling these countries and the producers to achieve substantiality, and environmentally and economic growth, which is the overall goal in order help these producing country to develop.
“It is an entirely different way of doing business, where the objective is not profit at any cost, but to help people in the world's most marginalised communities escape poverty and promote sustainability.”(People tree,2010)


History
The idea of Fair trade goes back to the 1940’s, when organisation and different religious groups began buying hand made crafts and goods directly from the farmers and producers in the developing countries in the south, for above market prices. This was in response to the globalisation and corporate methods of trading, and to bring “Fairness” back to trading. As this movement towards fairness and change began to grow and increase and become more established there began to open shops to trade in that were known as “world Shops”. There was an increase in the number of world shops other methods of fair trading being opened, along with the number of organisations committed to providing fair trade, and by the 1980’s official certifiable standards and labelling were established. The introduction of the labelling system saw a shift in rise of fair trade and for the fair trade movement, as it greatly increased the level of availability to fair trade goods and products and awareness of fair trade and helped to establish it as a new, fair method of trading. The first fair trade formal labelling scheme was established in the late 1980’s by a Dutch development agency called “Solidaridad”. In 1997 the fair trade labelling organisation went international and the fair trade logo was established in Britain. This fair trade labelling organisation known as (FLO), this was then split in to two different organisations called FLO and FLO-CERT. The FLO organisations aims are to set the standards for fair trade and facilitate and provide support for the producing businesses. The FLO-CERT organisation is there to inspect and certify the producing organisations, as well as carrying out audits on the traders to ensure the standards are been maintained.
“Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade” (Raynolds,2007)
The first leading supermarket in the UK the supply their own brand of fair trade products was the Co-operative and they have made it a main goal and objective to achieve and maintain fair trade standards and now sell over 265 fair trade products in their store.
Fair Trade and Design
In terms of fair trade and design the basic idea is that design has a big part to play in promoting fair trade and creating awareness, as well as looking at the actual design process of products and outcomes that are produced through fair trade means could increase and improve the ways that fair trade products are produced and traded. Advertising is used to increase and promote consumers and businesses to buy and trade using fair trade products and this is where design plays an important role. Through advertising and branding of fair trade products and the fair trade logo it appeals to the conscious consumer through the use of colour, design and message that the it transcends, it is powerful in its design in persuading people to purchase these products. The design of the fair trade logo was taken on by the fair trade foundation in 2002 and has established itself as a brand that consumer associate with fairness, happiness and economic growth for developing countries. The actual logo itself is blue, green, white and black and in using these colours they have created a message, the green leaves and grass representing growth and the blue of the sky showing a brighter, more prosperis future, therefore allowing the consumer to feel that by buying these products they are helping to improve people’s lives and allowing them to grow. The textile industry is one of the lowest in terms of contributing to producing fair trade products;
“More than 50 per cent of coffee sold in the UK is fair trade, but in clothing it is less than one per cent.”(Haughton,2010)
However although this is the case, it is also an area where there is an emphasise on increasing the numbers and use of fair-trade products and both consumers and designers are becoming more and more conscious and concerned about developing new idea to reform the way they design, the materials they use and looking for new ways of working with this is becoming a big thing in the textile industry. This is shown by the creation of the ethical fashion forum website which aims to encourage consumers and designer to be more aware of the issues around fair-trade. They have even developed a competition entitled the “Innovation” award which looks for young designers to come up with new, exciting and unique methods to incorporate fair trade textiles in their work and designs. The main area of textile working with fair trade is in the cotton production industry.
There are many organisations and business that are solely concerned with only trading with fair trade products and make it there aim to increase the use of fair trade, an example of this is a website called ‘People Tree’, that is a fashion website that only uses fair trade products and processes.
“For every beautiful garment People Tree makes, there's an equally beautiful change happening somewhere in the world.”(People Tree)
The people tree company also works along with around 50 fair trade organisations, all of which have different methods and means in which to achieve help and support for the developing countries. People tree itself offers 50% advance payments for orders to allow them finance to produce the goods. In terms of design the have designed a framework to enable there designer to design beautiful clothing that are also fair trade as they have used creative ways of incorporating the skills of the workers.
This is another way and issue of looking at fair trade and design the idea of designing to enable the use of fair trade methods to produce products, for example reduce the need for big machinery and expensive methods of production and built on the skills and crafts of the people and enable more hand craft and less expensive methods of production for poorer producer businesses.

For assignment 1 we had top pick a topic in which to research and write a wiki entry on your chosen topic, for my topic I have chosen to look at fair trade and design. We were put into groups in which we had to arrange to met up with and discussed our ideas and thoughts on every ones different topics. Within my group people are looking at a variety of different areas.