Daniel Fountain "Nest" (detail)

SDA Blog

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SDA member Jacqueline Mallegni takes us inside her studio and process with 2018’s first “In the Studio” article. Working in a wide variety of media, Jacqueline’s creates sculptures inspired by natural forms. Read more to get to know one of our recent members! I began making handmade paper in 1989—falling in love with how the …

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This is one of our brightest and most colorful Friday Fibers Roundups yet! With articles focusing on the use or history of a wide range of colors. 1) “The Hidden Labor Behind the Luxurious Colors of Purple and Indigo” by Sarah E. Bond explores the history of Tyrian purple, indigo, and other dyes (via Hyperallergic). …

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At the tail end of 2017, Surface Design Association announced that Elizabeth Kozlowski will be our new Surface Design Journal Editor! We are so excited for her to join the SDA family and cannot wait to see what wonderful and unique Journals she produces. Below is a brief, welcoming interview with Elizabeth so our members …

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From sea algae-based flip-flops, to NASA using origami, this week’s Friday Fibers Roundup is looking at all the ways artists and designers are taking traditional ideas and blending with technology to help create a brighter future. 1) Artist and designer Clara Daguin embroiders circuits, luminescent wires, and sensors on her clothes, revealing the poetry of …

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SDA 2017: A Year In Review

December 27, 2017

This year Surface Design Association celebrated our 40th Anniversary with a bang. We had 4 amazing journals published, multiple exhibitions throughout the country, as well as our biennial conference. Even though 2017 was rough to get through, SDA strived to meet our members’ needs, being a beacon of hope and a creative outlet for many. …

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Friday Fibers Roundup: Borders

December 22, 2017

This week’s Friday Fibers Roundup features artists who are either pushing borders–conceptually or politically–as well as making work referencing the literal borders around us. 1) “Unraveling a Racist Flag with Sonya Clark” by Cassie Packard spotlights Clark’s recent project in which she invites gallery goers to assist in unraveling a Confederate flag (via Vice). 2) …

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Surface Design Association is proud to present our winter 2017 edition of the Journal: “Future Fabrication: SDA International Exhibition In Print!” After receiving over 250 entries, jurors Kathryn Hall and Richard Elliot (also Guest Editor) curated a selection of 34 artists from 17 states, as well as Norway, Hungary and British Columbia, Canada, 7 of …

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Some artists develop an intuitive sense of color and others desire to dig deeply into theory to apply to their work. Thorough color study can span a diverse range of arts, sciences, and humanities. The exercises below have their roots in the 18th and 19th centuries, when art and science merged to study visual perception. …

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This week’s Friday Fibers Roundup looks at the behind-the-scenes ways artists, craftspeople, and designers create their work. 1) “The Invention of Modern Color: Synthetic Dyes” is Susan Clark’s recent TED Talk where she explores the origins of where our synthetic dyes came from (via Explore Fiber). 2) South African artist Marsi van de Heuvel creates …

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The holidays are fast approaching and what better gift to give than a book on textiles? Surface Design Association presents our countdown spotlighting some of our favorite books that came out in 2017–perfect for any fibers fan. Whether you’re into contemporary approaches, technical skills, project ideas, or historical readings, this list has got you covered! 1) …

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