ME | VIRTUAL PROTOTYPING
Willem de Kooning Academie
Module ME | Functional Fashion Exploring Phygitality
The course aims to equip students with the skills to navigate seamlessly between physical and digital methods of fashion design and prototyping. The focus is on "phygitality," the integration of new digital tools with traditional craftsmanship. Over a nine-week full-time module, students engage in two parallel learning tracks, translating physical designs to digital garments and vice versa.
The course addresses three key questions.
How can digitalization help expand students' creativity in the design process?
How can a synergy be created between traditional craftsmanship and 3D virtual prototyping and pattern construction?
How can the “phygital” working method contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive, and diverse fashion system?
See the course description here.
STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE MODULE
The course structure is divided into two assignments (tracks), by engaging these two parallel tracks students develop critical thinking, compare traditional and digital design tools, and cultivate their creative strategies. The course encourages an inclusive, diverse, and sustainable approach to fashion practice.
The module is situated within the educational structure of the WdKA. It follows a collaborative approach, involving design teachers, and instructors in the workshops/studio environment including digital software instructions. The curriculum aligns with the theme of Functional Fashion and encourages students to analyse the functionality of workwear garments within socio-cultural contexts. Students dissect and reshape these garments, both physically and intellectually, challenging dominant understandings and adopting critical perspectives.
You can read the full lesson plan here.
Student projects
Jessica Laures
Arianna Adamopoulou
![Xyantylsairah [Uzi] Burger](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64102e040e7aa71d130d5fe3/1082d916-959d-4a93-afe7-6bd3ff10fdd6/Wdka-Uzi-WP2.jpg)
Xyantylsairah [Uzi] Burger
Olivier Pierre
Josefien van Haaften
Tünde Brouns
Bob Hoogerwerf
DOWNLOADS
Module ME and Functional Fashion Exploring Phygitality
WdKA, Professor
“Prototyping this module together with our students has been a very exciting journey. Developing this module, we aim to contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive and diverse fashion education on various levels.”
WdKA, Student