Ocean Waves

Guoxiang Yuan

Ocean Waves

Guoxiang Yuan

China

As an eco-friendly technology, laser processing could generate unique patterns for fashion design. In this technology-oriented design application, the contactless CO2 laser surface treatment integrated with computer-aided design (CAD) approach was explored as an alternative patterning method to conventional processes.

The inspiration of this design derived from the motion of ocean waves. The patterns on the garments consist of different shapes of curved lines. The surface of the sewn garment is processed by laser technology to build this intricate pattern with curved and detailed lines, and natural tonal gradation from light grey to navy. This result is achieved by adjusting the parameters of the energy level emitted from the laser beam.

During the surface patterning, using the laser beam with different parameters including the resolution and the pixel time, has been investigated. After the irradiation of CO2 laser beam on garment surfaces, some fabric fibres were melted, evaporated and engraved with dyestuff. At lower resolutions, vague patterns can be achieved with small laser beam dots. When the treatment resolution increased, clear patterns could be created. Based on the same resolution, the higher pixel time can export more energy, which produces a clearer pattern.

These design results indicate that the laser surface treatment is a creative, feasible, repeatable and environmentally friendly patterning approach for fashion design. This computer-aided design (CAD) and patterning process that integrated technology, material and aesthetics, reveals the potential of the application for fashion surface embellishment through a laser engraving process at optimized parameters. The results also show that lasers could generate innovative designs and enhance the visual and tactile characteristics of fashion with different patterns and textures. The technique also opens up new possibilities for the embellishment of fashion designs without involving water, dyestuff or solvents. It is believed that this novel patterning approach could be applied commercially to facilitate manufacturing processes relevant to quick responses in the market and production, as well as to cater to customer needs.

Bio: Guoxiang Yuan

email: yuanguoxiang@gmail.com

Dr Guoxiang Yuan is an Associate Professor at College of Fashion and Design, Donghua University. He is also a textile design advisor at China Menswear Design Trading Center, member of World Crafts Council-Asia Pacific Region, member of Surface Design Association.

His research is focused on fashion design innovation, material surface treatment, and brand management. His works were exhibited in over 60 venues in China, Japan, Thailand, UK, France, Spain, Portugal, USA, Philippines and Malaysia. He has received over 10 design awards including the Junichi Arai Award, Silver Award of Contemporary International Fibre Art, From Lausanne to Beijing 6th International Fibre Art Biennale, Excellent Designer of Arts and Design: Integration of the East and the West, Golden Awards and Excellent Craft Award of the 2nd China International Youth Fur Design Competition, and more. His works “a flow of Memories” and “One and Clothes” were collected by the China National Silk Museum.