Was my grandmother worried about her carbon footprint? A short science fiction story

Abstract

The Future of Craft Master’s thesis focuses on material research, design and craft. It is a journey through the history and future of traditional craft, combining personal heritage with innovative design methods. Starting with my family's heritage in hand weaving, the thesis explores zero-waste pattern making, digital 3D weaving, bioplastic material innovations and the potential of AI in digital fashion.

The thesis originated from a science fiction story co-written with AI, set in the utopian year 2204, where craft and technology evolve in harmony. Each theme explored is manifested in a specific outfit linked to a character from the story, allowing the audience to engage with topics such as weaving, circular design and material research with ease and humor. This imaginative process of imagining the future of craft made the project both exciting and insightful.

The final project includes four physical and two digital outfits, highlighting the important role of digital fashion in the future of the industry. Characters such as the Shepherdess of Memories, a master weaver embracing the past, and the Robot Therapist, a tech-savvy individual balancing tradition and innovation, exemplify this fusion. The Fabric Accountant represents the principles of zero waste in textiles, while the Circular Culinary Innovator advocates the circular economy through bioplastic clothing. The digital characters, including a concierge and a fashion designer, underline the integral role of AI in future fashion design.

Through this work, the integration of craft and modern design illustrates a vision for a sustainable future where tradition and technology coexist, offering innovative solutions to the challenges facing the fashion industry today.