Optical Illustion Case Study
Can we look at nature to mimic structural color to the naked eye
through biomimicry and optical illusions in knits?
through biomimicry and optical illusions in knits?
Process
After learning Surface Design and studying past textiles, I couldn’t help but think about how all repeat patterns in textiles reminded me of optical illusions. In an effort to research a bit more between the intersection of optical illusions and knits, I did investigations on what was needed to achieve this effect.
I would like to warn you that staring at this for too long can in fact make you dizzy! (Talking from personal experience.)
Step 1:
I mimicked an optical illusion I found from Professor Akiyoshi’s Opitcal Illusion Page (which can be found here).
Step 2:
I then tried to replicate it on a 7G machine with 2 thin embroidery fibers and a reflective fiber.
This fiber was supposed to enhance its brightness when flash was shined on it.
However, due to the yarns being too thin, the knit was too porous resulting in too much light going through the knit.
Step 3:
Using what I learned from the previous prototype, I used two cotton yarns of similar saturation and thicker.
In terms of color, this prototype was more successful than the last one!
However, due to the knit stitches being wider than they are tall, the jacquard image shrunk and as a result it does not deliver the same effect.
Step 4:
Out of curiousity, I tried the same file on the 7.2G Knitting Machine with merino wool and elastic.
This created a more bearable illusion to the eye! The elastic also gave a puff effect to the fabric offering a different kind of illusion than the 7G knitting machine.
This is still an investigation in progress!