ABSTRACT
This study is on the combination of digital technology with manual method of printing to achieve precision for home textiles. The study was conceived within the periphery of adopting the use of computer software such as CorelDraw Design Package and Photoshop Element in developing design concepts, repeat patterns and conversion of designs into lines for precise development of the designs and finally converted to some aspect of home textiles. The research problem was to address the common printing problems and challenges like over-exposure (loss of detail), misfitting of the designs, difficulty of registering screens, uneven ink deposits, and colour smear, among others. The research was aimed at achieving precision in the designing and registration of patterns for home textiles by manipulating the stencil method of printing through the combination of digital technology for easy drafting of designs and tracing of patterns after the manually generated sketches might have been scanned into the computer. This research used the experimental and studio practise research methodology and the findings were derived through the objectives and research questions of the study. The major findings of the study revealed that the use of computer software in developing design concepts and repeat patterns for home textiles gave precision and accuracy in the drafting and repeat of patterns, eased the stress of tracing with the light box, and also saved time and energy. The study concluded that with the help of computer software as one of the tools for drafting patterns of printing, the project may not only take a very short time to complete but the idea of even precision and perfection in the repeat patterns will always be assured. The study therefore recommended that Computer Aided Design should be properly harness as an aid in the studio practise, as it will reduce hardship experienced by studio textile designers of the textile studio of industrial design, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
This study is on the combination of digital technology with manual method of printing to achieve precision for home textiles. The study was conceived within the periphery of adopting the use of computer software such as CorelDraw Design Package and Photoshop Element in developing design concepts, repeat patterns and conversion of designs into lines for precise development of the designs and finally converted to some aspect of home textiles. The research problem was to address the common printing problems and challenges like over-exposure (loss of detail), misfitting of the designs, difficulty of registering screens, uneven ink deposits, and colour smear, among others. The research was aimed at achieving precision in the designing and registration of patterns for home textiles by manipulating the stencil method of printing through the combination of digital technology for easy drafting of designs and tracing of patterns after the manually generated sketches might have been scanned into the computer. This research used the experimental and studio practise research methodology and the findings were derived through the objectives and research questions of the study. The major findings of the study revealed that the use of computer software in developing design concepts and repeat patterns for home textiles gave precision and accuracy in the drafting and repeat of patterns, eased the stress of tracing with the light box, and also saved time and energy. The study concluded that with the help of computer software as one of the tools for drafting patterns of printing, the project may not only take a very short time to complete but the idea of even precision and perfection in the repeat patterns will always be assured. The study therefore recommended that Computer Aided Design should be properly harness as an aid in the studio practise, as it will reduce hardship experienced by studio textile designers of the textile studio of industrial design, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
