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Professor Hilary Carlisle

Dean of Creative Education

Research and Knowledge Exchange 

I completed a practice-led PhD in 2004 in which I designed and developed computer software to generate subtly changing non-repeating patterns suitable for digital textile production. Since then I have continued to develop algorithms using different software languages including most recently, Processing. My two current interests lie in investigating small variations in repeating patterns that disrupt and intrigue, and in creating patterns with organic resonance that transcend their digital origins. My work has been exhibited across the UK and cited in articles and books on contemporary textile design.

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Hilary Carlisle stands wearing a grey check suit with burgundy top, in a room with wood panelling.

Extending awareness and promoting innovation in textile design is something I feel strongly about. I conceived and organised the Fabricating Technology symposium in Edinburgh and the Repeat Symposium in Norwich to engage a wide audience with the possibilities of contemporary creativity in textiles.

I supervise and examine PhD students within textiles and the wider areas of design, including topics such as the second-hand clothing industry in Korea; the role of the designer educator in developing textiles; and the haptic and scopic qualities of textiles.

Promoting high quality contemporary design education and ensuring its relevance to industry is an area that I am active in. Innovative teaching and providing an integrated curriculum in which research and theory support and influence practice are paramount in my pedagogical interests.

Professor Hilary Carlisle is a member of the Pattern and Chaos group of collaborative, interactive and networking designers, artists, theorists and innovators in education, all of whom are based at Norwich University of the Arts.

Practice and Research Outputs

  • 2013: hosted ‘Cowbird’ Graphics symposium, Norwich, investigating the symbiosis between digital and print
  • 2012: exhibited at ‘Repeat – new textile-based works by contemporary designers and artists’, The Gallery
  • 2008: published paper ‘Self-reflection and Research Skills: Equipping the Design Graduate for Further Study’ in Enhancing Curricula: using research and enquiry to inform student learning in the disciplines, CLTAD, ISBN 978-0-9560382-0-3
  • 2008: exhibited at the ‘Art of Research: Research Narratives’ symposium at Chelsea College of Art and Design
  • 2007: exhibited at ‘Future Voices: Celebrating Diversity’, Cooper Gallery, Dundee
  • 2007: published paper ‘The Craft of Organic Programming’ in Future Voices: Celebrating Diversity exhibition proceedings. ISBN 1-899837-54-X
  • 2007: published paper ‘The Significance of Design Research for the Design Education Curriculum, or “Why the theory bit is important”‘, in Design Education Tradition & Modernity, Katiyar VJ & Mehta, S (eds), Ahmedabad, India: National Institute of Design Publishing, ISBN 81-86199-57-8
  • 2006: hosted ‘Fabricating Technology’ – A one day symposium bringing together speakers working within the broad remit of textiles and technology, Edinburgh College of Art
  • 2005: presented paper ‘Innovation in Textile Pattern: A Discussion of Non-repeating Patterns for Printed Textiles’ invited paper at Creativity: Designer Meets Technology conference, KriDT, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • 2004: Presented paper ‘Towards a New Design Strategy’ invited paper at Making Knowledge: the Relationship between Practice and Research in Craft and Design Symposium Miriad @ Manchester Metropolitan University
  • 2004: presented paper ‘Organic Geometry: Creating non-repeating textile patterns through technology’ presented at Pixel Raiders II, Sheffield Hallam University
  • 2003: presented paper ‘Rules of Randomness’ invited paper presented at The Textile Futures Symposium, Miriad @ Manchester Metropolitan University
  • 2003: exhibited at ‘Surface Design: Technology & Tradition’, Aarhus Kunstbygning, Denmark
  • 2002: exhibited PhD work, Djanogly Innovation Centre for Europe, Nottingham Trent University
  • 2001: published paper ‘Need I Repeat Myself? Non-repeating computer-aided designs for Printed Textiles’ Paper in Digital Creativity Volume 12 Number 2, ISSN 1462-6268
  • 1999: published chapter ‘Breaking the Monotony: Using Randomisation Techniques in Computer-Aided Textile Design’ in Visual Representations and Interpretations Paton R & Neilson I (eds) London: Springer
 ISBN 1-85233-082-1
  • 1998: presented paper ‘Geometric Gemma and Floral Fergus: Gender Associations in Pattern on Clothing’ presented at the Design History Society Conference, University of Huddersfield

Other Activities

  • 2013 – present: book and exhibition reviews editor, Textile: the Journal of Cloth and Culture
  • 2012 – present: Norwich Fashion Week, board member
  • 2011-present: External Stakeholder Group member for ERDF funded Enterprise Centre at Norwich Research Park

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