innovation

Shaping the Future of Digital Social Innovation in Europe

In 2013 I was invited by Nesta to join the Advisory Group to advise on a major new policy study on digital social innovation in Europe. The study has been looking at grassroots civic innovation enabled by the internet, and at how social innovation is being enabled by the “network effect” of the Internet and new open innovation models. The study has been run by Nesta, in partnership with the WAAG Society (NL), ESADE (SP), IRI (FR), and Future Everything (UK) and it has been exploring how emerging technologies in the digital economy can transform society by the mobilisation of collective action, enable a more collaborative economy, new ways of making, citizen participation, sustainability and social innovation. In February I’ll be in Brussels to discuss lessons from the 18-month research and the future of DSI in Europe.

Julian and Subtraction Cutting – part 2

(segue in italiano) Here’s the second part (read the first part) of the interview to professor and designer Julian Roberts, exploring open-source, zero-waste and interdisciplinarity. Enjoy! Zoe Romano – Do you think open-source and technology (like osloom.org, low cost laser cutting, 3d printers ) are going to change how fashion mainly is conceived and produced? Julian Roberts – It’s definitely changing things already. As 3D printing becomes more accessible and the materials available to print in become more precious, durable and tactile, then it’s suitability to fashion is likely to rapidly grow. Currently they are useful tools for accessory and jewelry design, small component manufacture used in textile embellishment, and for integrating technology into textiles. I’m sure it will also transform both weaving and garment construction too in the very near future. The fact that 3D printing is layered from the ground upwards from an aerial viewpoint is of great interest to me and the way i construct clothes. Laser

read more Julian and Subtraction Cutting – part 2

Julian and Subtraction Cutting – part 1

(segue in italiano) Julian Roberts is a british fashion designer is the inventor of a garment pattern cutting method called ‘Subtraction Cutting’ and goes around the world on tour to demonstrate his technique. He became Professor at the University of Hertfordshire (Hatfield) in July 2004 at the age of 33 becoming the youngest professor in the UK and now lectures at MA Mixed Media Textile at the Royal College of Art in London. Subtraction Cutting is about designing with patterns, rather than creating patterns for designs and its basic premise is that the patterns cut do not represent the garments outward shape, but rather the negative spaces within the garment that make them hollow. I interviewed him some days ago to discover a bit more about his approach and explore his point of view on  some other topics. Here’s the first part of the interview. Zoe Romano – How would you describe Subtraction Cutting to someone who doesn’t know much

read more Julian and Subtraction Cutting – part 1