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What’s happening to the military textile market
October 1st, 2016
Decreased budgets are a reality, but markets exist for new and innovative products. While it's fair to say that portions of the military textile market are shrinking—the U.S. now has far fewer troops overseas—it is also true that some segments are changing, which is an open door for innovation. Despite a decline in the U.S. Department […]
Pete Weingartner builds a team to deliver turn-key projects and target continued growth
October 1st, 2016
Even if projects are going well I try to improve them. I want to find a way to do things better; to do things faster,” says , president of Queen City Awning, Cincinnati, Ohio. “One of the ways I do that is by attending IFAI Expo and reading Specialty Fabrics Review magazine to keep up […]
Robotics, biomimicry and museums
October 1st, 2016
Inspiration for design can easily be found in nature. Take the wing of a beetle: It has an outer shell called an elytra that is both protective and lightweight. Those construction principles are the basis of a striking new exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, celebrating the institution’s annual Engineering Season. The […]
The Plaza Hotel—or is it?
October 1st, 2016
When the Plaza Hotel in New York City was undergoing architectural renovation a few years ago, managers wanted to present its “best face” to the public. So they contracted Britten Studios, a Traverse City, Mich., manufacturer of banners and signs, to create a building wrap to hide the hotel’s edifice during construction. Britten recreated the […]
New materials take portable structures to another level
October 1st, 2016
For Harry Osborne, creative lead at “brand experience agency” SET Live, headquartered in London, the graphic applications and collection of temporary structures throughout the “Google on the Beach 2015” (GoB) event were an exercise in balance. “A balance between getting the most from Anthony Burril’s incredible artwork,” says Osborne, “but also satisfying the local council’s […]
Expanding nonwovens
October 1st, 2016
ELASTEX® TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) products are designed to provide maximum elongation and maximum elastic recovery. ELASTEX TPU is highly elastic for use where stretching capability is needed. Material has high air permeability and is resilient to abrasion, puncture, aging and UV; available in various colors. Leading applications include medical, hygiene, sportswear, wraps, filters and films. […]
Clean colors, elegant patterns
October 1st, 2016
The Knoll Luxe collections by Dorothy Cosona include textiles woven with natural yarns such as cotton, linen and wool. The newest additions to the line include five upholstery fabrics (two patterns and three textures): Jasmine (multi-color stripe with four embroidery techniques), Petite Floral (small-scale floral), Amore (opulent with strong saturated tones), Demure (combination of wool […]
‘Ghostbusters’ reboot recreates New York
October 1st, 2016
Who you gonna call? If you’re Martin Charles, the graphic designer hired to design and create realistic sets for the remake of the 1984 supernatural hit “Ghostbusters,” you call on Roland DGA Corp., Irvine, Calif., experts in wide-format inkjet printers. Charles, founder of Santa Monica-based SagaBoy Productions, worked with designer Jefferson Sage to bring to […]
True performance: wearable intuition
October 1st, 2016
Simone Schramm, a German product interface designer interested in the intersection between analogue products and digital interfaces, devoted her master’s thesis to the idea that when people continuously check their Fitbit or other electronic performance tracker to ascertain their health status, they are missing something important—their intuition. “Numbers are objective,” writes Schramm in her mission […]
New technology and management strategies can prevent targeted cyberattacks
October 1st, 2016
Modern, targeted cyberattacks can take any organization by surprise. And these targeted cyberattacks are increasingly widespread. CBS “Money Watch” reported in June 2015 that more than 80 percent of U.S. companies have been successfully hacked, according to a Duke University/CFO Magazine Global Business Outlook Survey. According to the CBS report, “Successful attacks by hackers involved […]