Inflating space for public discourse

October 1, 2016  |  Projects

One minute, the neighborhood park is quiet; the next, it’s filled with protesters, party animals or players of Pokémon GO. The Seattle Design Nerds is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to design in the public realm. The Nerds decided that when temporary or flash gatherings happen,…
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What’s happening to the military textile market

October 1, 2016  |  Features

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 innov…
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Pete Weingartner builds a team to deliver turn-key projects and target continued growth

October 1, 2016  |  Features, Perspective

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 … <…
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Robotics, biomimicry and museums

October 1, 2016  |  Projects

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 institut…
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The Plaza Hotel—or is it?

October 1, 2016  |  Projects

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 …
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New materials take portable structures to another level

October 1, 2016  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

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 Antho…
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Expanding nonwovens

October 1, 2016  |  News

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…
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Clean colors, elegant patterns

October 1, 2016  |  Products

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 (smal…
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‘Ghostbusters’ reboot recreates New York

October 1, 2016  |  Projects

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 …
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True performance: wearable intuition

October 1, 2016  |  Projects

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, th…
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