Temporal, Unpredictable, Multisituated: Designing Performativity in Textile-forms for Multimorphism

This thesis investigates textile-forms—textile-based artefacts designed through the integrated consideration of textile (matter) and form (artefact). Building on the concept of Multimorphism, which views textiles as a material system spanning material, social, and ecological scales, this research addresses the challenges of designing interactions deeply rooted in the textile material system.
Grounded in the Materials Experience framework, the thesis examines textile-forms' performativity—their capacity to invite action—and their multi-situatedness, or adaptability to diverse contexts. Using a mixed-methods Research-through-Design (RtD) approach, the research investigates textile-forms' performativity across three levels: design practice, interaction, and user experience. Two series of woven textile-forms, created through weaving and multi-layer weaving techniques, explore how specific textile qualities contribute to performativity and how textile-forms can be designed for everyday use. Empirical studies reveal that textile-forms with unpredictable behaviours and multiple embedded states encourage creative actions and reflective experiences. However, the studies also highlight challenges, such as user confusion caused by open-ended functionality and evolving material states.
This thesis demonstrates how designers can use textile-form thinking to leverage textiles' performativity, enabling rich interaction possibilities inherent to their textileness. It also emphasizes the gap between textile-forms' potential for richer interactions and user acceptance. In conclusion, the work advocates for multimorphic thinking, promoting holistic and ecological approaches to designing interactions with textiles that embrace their unique temporal, unpredictable, and multi-situated qualities.