3. Circular Open Source Fashion

Research & Ideation

Coming into this week, I am excited about how I could use this in my practice to reduce waste material and waste of time, I liked it. as I was not good at geometry but now Ithink am going to try it again. I didn't want to go into the prototyping sessions with complicated ideas. I found something really intresting and I knew I wanted to draw from tesselation in nature and probably create a more sculptural outcome than a garment.

I'm captivated by the elegance and artistry of these beautiful jewels—they’re like miniature masterpieces that add a touch of magic to any moment.

## Paper prototypes

I started my 2D design work by using grid paper, rulers, and scissors to experiment with creating interlocking modules that had strong connections. Initially, I was a bit confused and had made some interlocking pieces the night before that didn’t tessellate well or take waste reduction into account. I tried cutting small pieces of paper and shaping them into designs that looked like butterflies and other patterns.

tasks of this week

1: Experiment with paper prototypes to create a unique module and interlocking joint

2: Transfer this into Rhino 8 and create a digital file to be lazercut.

3: Make test pieces with the lasercutter and decide on a fabric to use.

4: Assemble to create a final outcome.

Module exploration

To create a versatile design that balances simplicity with potential elegance, consider a module with a petal-like structure that interlocks seamlessly. This way, each module can function individually as a minimalist shape or come together to mimic the soft layers of a rose when arranged in a larger pattern. This dual-purpose approach would make it easy for users to adapt the design to suit different aesthetics—either opting for a restrained, understated look or building a more dynamic, floral-inspired assembly that echoes natural forms.

To test the versatility of my modular design, I plan to experiment with two different sizes—40mm and 60mm side lengths for the external hexagon—and two external shapes: a standard hexagon and one with softened edges. This will allow me to observe how each variation affects the overall aesthetic and structural integrity of the modules when assembled. By testing different configurations, I aim to find the optimal balance between interconnectivity and visual appeal, ensuring that the modules can easily be combined in diverse patterns while maintaining stability and flexibility for a wide range of design possibilities.

After validating my prototypes, I decided to keep only the two smaller versions for future development, as they met my functional requirements. The larger prototypes, however, did not align with my aesthetic vision. I found that their proportions and overall look were less appealing, making them less suitable for the direction I want to take. By narrowing down my focus to the smaller prototypes, I can refine their design to better match my desired aesthetic while maintaining the interconnectivity and modularity that are central to the project.

Laser cut

I selected the prototype with sharpened edges as the final module because it was more efficient to optimize the cutting board for this design. The sharp edges allowed for a cleaner, more straightforward cutting process, reducing the complexity of adjustments needed for the fabrication. This decision also streamlined the production, ensuring that the interlocking mechanism worked seamlessly while maintaining a more precise and consistent outcome in the final design.

Export the cut sheet as PDF.text

After finalizing my modular design, I prepared it for laser cutting to produce the individual pieces. I carefully set up each module, ensuring precise alignment to maintain the design’s integrity during the cutting process. Once ready, I used the laser cutter to cut out the individual hexagon modules, with each piece crafted to match the detailed specifications of my design. The laser cutter allowed me to create clean, sharp edges and uniform shapes, ensuring that each module would seamlessly connect with the others when assembled. The result was a collection of precisely cut pieces, ready to be assembled into the final structure.

Once the laser-cut pieces were complete, I began assembling them to create a wearable structure. Carefully joining each hexagon module, I aligned the tabs and slots, connecting them one by one to form a flexible, interlocking pattern. As the structure grew, it began to take on the desired shape and flow, adapting to the contours needed for wearability. The modular design allowed for flexibility and movement, transforming the individual pieces into a cohesive, wearable form that balances structure and comfort.

Tutorials

1 Circular fashion - Bellas Fabricademy Journey circular fashion

2 Circular Open Source Fashion - Fabricademy 2024-2025 text