Mariam Syed

MEET THE MAKER

I am a woven Textile Designer specialising in bespoke textiles woven with the finest British wool and silk. My design practice encapsulates everything I am passionate about: weaving, vibrant colour, architecture and geometry. A mathematician at heart, geometric patterns are a central element of my woven designs. Fascinated with the visual culture of her hometown Karachi, I draw inspiration from the vibrant Pakistani trucks and buses set against the magnificent Colonial British Architecture. I am captivated with the effects of colours in patterns; how they complement and contrast with each other and strive to achieve the same boldness of colour in my woven designs. I applied to iAtelier because I was interested to explore if and what mistakes machines make. I was under the misconception that digital technology takes the ‘making process’ away from the maker. I believed that ‘objects’ made my machines lacked ‘character’. Each of my work pieces is unique because it is handmade and it is impossible to replicate a piece exactly. Whereas in Digital Fabrication, a product can be produced infinitely once the digital file is made. I was also interested to have an exchange of ideas and concepts with makers under the guidance of professionals.

WHAT IS YOUR FEEDBACK ON THE PROGRAMME? 

iAtelier has cleared a lot of my misconceptions regarding digital fabrication. It has helped me understand that Digital Fabrication does not take the making process away from the maker but how digital technology can be used as a tool in the modern designer maker’s toolbox. I found the masterclasses enlightening; especially the talk by Dries Verbruggen was very insightful as he explained the importance of embracing and honing these modern tools to our individual needs. I was ignorant to the advancement of technology and have been marvelling at how accomplished the human mind is from creating 3D printers that print clay ornaments to digital textiles. Contrary to my old beliefs, machines do make mistakes! I have yet to find out (in my maker sessions) if it is the human working the machines or the machines themselves that have ‘glitches’ or flaws that can give ‘character’ to each new piece. The collaboration has given me a new perspective of my own design practice; it has helped me look at my design and aesthetic values with fresh eyes. Because we come from different craft backgrounds, we exchange ideas and challenge each other about what can be achieved within our own craft mediums.

Five top tips you can offer others from your experience

1. Create a healthy creative collaborative environment
2. Listen to each other
3. Define and discuss your goals
4. Be flexible: bear in mind that these goals are not set in stone and that they can change.
5. Enjoy the process!