Program structure

THE CLASSES#

This year’s classes and schedule can be found here

THE PHASES#

The program is structured in multiple stackable phases. Phase 1 and 2 together form the original Fabricademy program, running since 2017. With the addition of the new phase 3, piloted in 2022, participants can attend the “Fabricademy Long”.

Phase 1 - Skills

September - December

The first phase emphasises on the development of knowledge of prominent technologies through a series of hands-on intensive masterclasses that interweave traditional craftsmanship with advanced prototyping tools, innovative materials, software and manufacturing techniques.

This phase sees the students work individually in short intense exercises and experiments.

Phase 2 - Project Development

January - March

The second phase capitalizes on all the learning of phase 1 in order to develop a personal research project.

Participants focus on individual in-depth applied research, employing critical thinking, hard & soft skills for the development of innovative alternatives that explore and implement more viable, sustainable and fair systems of today.

Phase 3 - Textile Tech Incubator

April- June

Participants are chosen to enter the third phase of the program according to the maturity and viability of their project proposal. Those will be incubated to further develop their projects to ready for the market solutions by expanding the knowledge with research methodologies, Business development tools and an interdisciplinary studio in collaboration with external University.

RESEARCH LINES#

The program leans on four areas of research:

SUSTAINABILITY

Exploring the role of future eco-pioneers and material designers for a circular and sustainable textile and clothing field, bringing together craftsmanship knowledge and disruptive technologies. The lectures and hands-on learning sessions offer a view on the past and future of sustainable craftsmanship: an array of techniques for environmentally friendly alternatives for the fields of textile and clothing. This sustainability area of research clusters knowledge from biomaterials, natural pigment & dyes fabrication, modular reconfigurable laser cut designs, and the solidification of soft fabrics into hard-structures for technical textile applications. It also introduces the participants to basic biotechnology practices.

INDUSTRY 4.0

The industry 4.0 research area focuses on developing skills and exploring the field of technologies such as 3D scanning, 3D printing (additive manufacturing), parametric design and 3D modeling. combined with the complemnetary technologies for subtractive manufacturing, working with machinery such as CNC milling and laser cutters.

A combination of intensive workshops, where participants learn how to create digital files for apparel, fashion and accessories that are enabling mass customization, local manufacturing and reshape the factories of the Future through a performance-based hands-on approach to design.

WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

The Wearable tech and e-textiles research area focuses on the design and integration of various forms of electronics: “with textiles” and “as textiles”, exploring and expanding the development of smart fabrics and materials, which are both aesthetically and performance-wise enhanced by the implemnetation of microcontrollers, (soft) sensors, actuators and programmable logics.

Participants will obtain knoweldge on basic programming, basic hardware design and circuit crafting skills in order to create interactive and fucntional prototypes.

INNOVATION NARRATIVES

Provides participants with theoretical knowledge about disruptive technologies, materials and processes that are transforming today’s industry and creating the culture and conditions to innovate and change. Gain a set of unique perspectives in the textile field, further develop your critical thinking to integrate sustainable design strategies that consider environmental, ethical and societal challenges. Through a multidisciplinary approach, understand how different expertises can be combined to generate alternative opportunities and new hybrid professions. Create career development opportunities for professional women to acquire positions, confidence, leadership and entrepreneurial skills to promote gender parity in the leadership of the textile and fashion industry.


LEARNING OBJECTIVES#

Each participant acquires skills by participating in an intensive learning program in digital fabrication, textiles, biology. The program supports participants by:

  • Providing them with theoretical and technical knowledge about disruptive technologies, materials and processes that are transforming today’s textile field and create the culture and conditions to innovate and change. Digital Fabrication, Textiles, Bio-tech and chemistry principles, Soft Robotics, Wearables.

  • Gaining a broader perspective of the textile industry and develop critical thinking to integrate sustainable design strategies that consider environmental, ethical and societal challenges.

  • Focusing on multi- and inter- disciplinary modus operandi, that leans on the development of a range of skills combining crafts, interactive technologies, traditional fashion design, digital and analog haute couture. Together generating a variety of opportunities and lead towards new hybrid professions.

  • Explore career development opportunities for professional women to acquire technical positions, confidence, collaborative leadership to promote holistic change

PARTICIPANT PROFILE#

Through its experimental, practice-based, and creative approach, Fabricademy is open to a wide-range of participants, coming from various ages, disciplines, and professions. Its purpose is to foster a community of pioneers that invent novel concepts, materials, products, experiences, and services that seek to bridge the gap between academia and Industry4.0. Furthermore, it contributes with skills, collaborative tools and transnational communities leading to awareness, reinvention and resilience.

The participants of the program can pursue careers that introduce new roles such as body architect, material developer, fashion technology consultant, interactive performer, digital craftsman, high-tech accessories designer, trends influencer, 3D fashion designer, lab manager, head of design among others.