During the winter semester 2016/17, students of the Faculty of Art and Design at the Bauhaus-University Weimar explored the potentials of 4d printing using a commercial 3d printer and synthetic fabric.

When printing two dimensional patterns onto a stretched piece of elastic fabric, three dimensional forms emerge due to the occurring tension between rigid lines and the flexible areas.

During the course of the semester, we explored the principles of programmable textiles and developed new concepts for using this technology in product design.

We focused on bistability, surface enhancement and ruffling by printing large patterns. They differed in geometry, line thickness/heigt and material.

This technology provides functional as well as aesthetic qualities which can be applied in many ways, for example in furniture design.

Team work with Max Ruder and Maximilian Schatz