Magnetism holds a strong potential as a design material due to the array of possible expressions based on its fundamental behaviours of attraction and repulsion. The magnetic phenomenon presents itself simultaneously as visual and non-visual material through its quality of being imperceptible under certain conditions until manifested in some way, such as physical interaction or electronic control. This balancing of physical constants, material and immaterial considerations of magnetic phenomenon, become a rich site for exploration and experimentation when combined with the immense variables available in textile design such as yarn attributes (yarn number, yarn twist, fiber composition) and textile structure (woven, non-woven, knit, twisted and interlaced). Therefore, the use of magnetism as a design material holds a strong potential for dynamic and responsive textile expressions when used in composition with one another. While the discourse surrounding the material-immaterial relationship is active and present across various design disciplines [1,2,3], the representation of magnetic phenomenon as a design material remains underrepresented in the field of textile design. This experiment illustrates a method of creating yarns that are responsive to magnetic fields through a process of hand-painting natural, synthetic, and combination yarns with a widely-available ferromagnetic solution. The result is a reference catalogue of yarns exhibiting design potentials for textile-based magnetic interactions.

Experiment

This poster presentation describes a method of creating yarns that are responsive to magnetic fields through a process of hand-painting natural, synthetic, and combination yarns with a widely-available ferromagnetic solution. The yarns measure 10 cm in length and are grouped in bundles to form tassels. They are anchored to a fixed structure at a central point from which all movement arises. A magnetic field is applied to the yarns through the use of permanent- and electro-magnets. These painted yarns exhibit a unique variety of behaviours and characteristics ranging from lifting/dropping, expansion/compression, splaying, and fluctuating movements, as well as the yarn’s ability to hold structural form. These expressions are based on the yarn variants of fiber composition, weight, twist, flexibility, absorption ability, and evenness of absorption.

Results

This experiment results in a catalogue of natural and synthetic yarn attributes pre- and post- ferritic treatment, which identities their magnetic and behavioural abilities. The results suggest design potentials to be further explored through textile construction methods such as weaving and knitting.

Figure 1. Magnetic yarns in a woven textile construction.

Acknowledgement

This research is supported by the Swedish School of Textiles, University of Borås, Sweden

References

1. Wiberg, M. (2014). Methodology for materiality: Interaction design research through a material lens. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 18(3), 625-636.
2. Dunne, Anthony. (2006). Hertzian Tales: Electronic Products, Aesthetic Experience, and Critical Design (Rev. ed.]. ed.). MIT Press.
3. Kwon, H., Kim, H., & Lee, W. (2014). Intangibles wear materiality via material composition. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 18(3), 651-669.