Reaction to the Fibers Visual Symposium

This week's symposium was likely my favorite in terms of interesting, relevant information regarding the field in question. The world of fibers is far more complex and inclusive than I could have ever imagined. It is being affected by innovations on a regular basis, and it never seems to stagnate, despite being a field thousands of years old. New types of fibers and new techniques are introduced constantly. Substances such as nitinol, conductive paint, carbon fiber, EL wire, and the various plastics utilized in the 3D printing process are all brand new to the industries of fashion, fine art, and all of the fields influenced by fibers. The prevalence of fibers in the world of art and design is astounding. From clothing to furniture to installations to sound dampening wall fixtures to toys, fibers can be found most anywhere. This revelation has led to a further confusion on my desired path for the future. Though I still believe that I wish to create games for a living one day, I cannot help but consider the application and combination of some of the intriguing design innovations and aesthetic choices of this mysterious field of design. How might the gaming industry be affected by aesthetics dominated by fibers? A game made up of characters all rendered as chains of threads, a real world game played inside 3D printed shapes and controllers, or a game played across the fabric of an item of clothing are all very real possibilities thanks in part to the pushes being made by this often ignored subsection of art. I don't know that I will choose it as a major, but I will certainly give fibers more consideration when approaching new design challenges.