TEX(alive) – Jose Martinez Castro

TEX(alive)

TEX(alive) is an exploration of shape-changing interfaces and organic expressions, fully realized through 3D printing technology. This innovative toolkit seamlessly integrates hardware augmentation with advanced computational tools, revolutionizing the design landscape. Leveraging accessible 3D-printed pneumatic actuators, commonly employed in soft robotics, TEX(alive) prioritizes controllability and fabrication ease over traditional shape-changing materials.

With TEX(alive), designers unlock a realm of possibilities. Pneumatic actuators, intricately arranged along a 3D-printed textile composite, offer a canvas for creative expression, enabling the creation of diverse shape morphologies. Empowering users with precise control, the hardware interface manipulates kinetic parameters, breathing life into the textile with an array of dynamic expressions.

At the heart of TEX(alive) lies its computational design tool, a digital aid in predicting and shaping textile movement. Through digital manipulation of actuator placement, designers foresee and sculpt intricate forms, pushing the boundaries of design exploration. Validated across diverse expertise levels, TEX(alive) emerges as a transformative design tool, facilitating the seamless exploration of shape-changing interfaces and organic expressions.

Year
2021

Type
Master's of Integrated Product Design
Graduation Thesis & DIS 2022 Publication

Role
Material-Driven Design, Computational Design, Advanced 3D Printing

Client
TU Delft
Materials Experience Lab

Co-Authors
Alice Buso, Jun Wu, Elvin Karana

Links
DIS 2022 Publication
DIS 2022 Presentation
DIS 2022 Teaser Video

TU Delft Graduation Thesis
TU Delft Article on My Graduation

Publication

Problem Definition

Technical difficulties in exploring shape-changing interfaces

Research Question

How can we aid designers in exploring the material experience of livingness in shape changing interfaces?

A "material" was selected as the starting point of this exploration. The "material" consisted of pneumatic actuators combined with textiles to create a shape-changing interface.

Material Driven Design

Material Driven Design method (Karana, 2015) was followed to explore the material qualities resulting in the creation of a Material Taxonomy, Material Benchmark, and Overview of Technical Qualities.

Material Development Process

Further development on the initial "material" by exploring various fabrication techniques, 3D printing strategies, modular configurations, and performance of the pneumatic actuators.

Based on the findings from the material development, the concept of a modular physical and digital toolkit was created to allow designers to easily create their own shape-changing interfaces and explore various shape-changing expressions.

Final Toolkit

Modular design allows for quick iterations of shape-changing expressions.

Electronic system allows for fine-tuning of the kinetic properties of the shape change and movement.

User interface provides accessible control of the electronics with preset movements included.

Computational Tool

A computational predictive tool was built using Rhino Grasshopper (Kangaroo Physics plugin) where users can digitally prototype various shape-changing forms before creating it with the physical toolkit.

The actuators were simplified as Kangaroo Physics hinges that would deform the textile "mesh".

Testing with Designers

A "creative session" was conducted with 7 designers to test their interactions with the toolkits, their interpretation of shape-changing expressions, and to allow them to create their own personal shape-changing expression using both the phsyical and digital toolkits.

Several interesting findings on the material qualities of shape-changing interfaces were collected from the study. For example, on the interpretive side, many participants found fast movements to resemble animal-like qualities while slower movements resemble human breathing patterns or the growth of a flower.

Contact

Based in The Netherlands

studio@josemartinezcastro.com