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An investigation into colour accuracy and colour management issues in digitally printed textiles for Higher Education

Kelly, Aileen

[Thesis]. Manchester, UK: The University of Manchester; 2014.

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Abstract

There is an abundance of information available (from industry journals, company websites, and specialist trade fairs) relating to commercial digital textile printing. However, there is a scarcity of information regarding how digital textile printing is being used and taught, in undergraduate textile design degree programmes and how staff and students deal with colour accuracy issues. This research aims to explore and compare approaches to achieving colour accuracy in digital textile printing in industry and HE environments. The research findings are intended to provide useful information for educators involved with delivering digital textile printing in Higher Education (HE) to benefit the industry. Secondary research contextualises the study, with the history of printed textiles examined in order to place digital textile printing in context. The evolution of digital textile printing, colour communication and colour management in the digital textile printing process are also studied, as is the current status of digital textile printing in industry. A review of literature relating to learning and teaching styles presents aspects of pedagogy relating to the research aims and objectives.The primary research undertaken for the study was through interviews, visits and questionnaires. Questionnaires completed by educators at HE institutions that offer digital textile printing as part of their undergraduate textile design programmes were followed by visits to comparison institutions. The second stage of data collection consisted of individual and group interviews with educators and students from a BSc textile design programme. The individual and group interviews with educators and students led to the formulation of a questionnaire that was sent to industry professionals (including graduates of the BSc programme). For the final stage of the data collection, interviews were conducted with graduates from the BSc programme who were working with digital print. From the primary data collection the key aspects that require teaching for a good understanding of the design process for digital print were identified and rated with regard to importance. This led to a teaching model for an undergraduate textile design programme and the development of initial lectures for such a programme. In addition the data analysis indicated that further work could be done to develop learning resources to improve students’ knowledge in this area and support their transition from the HE environment to industry.