Textile Design meets AI
Role of AI is two-fold in the project, as evolutionary algorithm, developed together with LLM drives the global geometry solution generation and texturing. The system outputs pattern with the correct notation, enabling direct workflow from design to production. Integration to diffusion-based system is a further exploration topic in the project.
Exploring new design processes for knitted textile forms
Using AI in knit design enhances creativity by allowing designers to experiment with numerous variations quickly, while also optimizing production processes to improve efficiency.
The technique and machinery set several constraints that guide the development of generative AI. Textile Design meets AI project's aim is to enhance the creative process and streamline design possibilities.
The contributors are Anna-Mari Leppisaari, Maija Fagerlund, Venla Elonsalo, Severi Uusitalo and Maarit Salolainen, all at Aalto.
Developments where design meets research:
The design tool which adopts the principles of evolutive algorithm and was developed by Uusitalo as part of this project was applied by Leppisaari to design and fabricate a dress to be exhibited later in the Spring in Tomorrow's Wardrobe exhibition in Oulu. The dress has been knit from yarn produced from a shipwreck from the 17th century and will find a permanent exhibition home at the new Tiima science museum at Oulu, Finland.
A related research article of the project authored by Uusitalo and Leppisaari was reccently accepted to the proceedings of , to be presented in July 2026 in Coimbra, Portugal. The focus there is constitutive agency and how it exhibits in the adoption and application of the tool in a design session.
This mode of exploring AI-induced creative processes which result in relevant artefacts and further understanding of co-creativity and design process is in the heart of art-ai-fact initiative.
The project is part of art-ai-fact initiative.
Initial products of trials of our design approaches are being exhibited in Designs for Cooler Planet in Marsio building at Aalto's campus. While the work is under way, the output of our trials with both the hardware and the developing design processes are inspiring.
art-ai-fact
A developing collection of design projects with an AI element to them, building understanding of AI's contribution to design at Aalto ARTS.
