TED Resource - 2004-ongoing

TED Resource (2004, ongoing)

Questions of environmental design are critical issues in the contemporary world. TED is a resource established by Rebecca Earley which provides access for designers to a unique toolbox comprised of over 3,000 points of reference to help them design more environmentally aware textiles. A bank for knowledge and learning, documentation can be deposited and withdrawn throughout TED’s research activities. This set-up was devised to encourage the practitioners to be rigorous and systematic, and provides a system whereby their work can be accessed for future action and practice. Issues of textiles and the environment are central to the work of many of the staff and student practitioners at Chelsea, yet there are few opportunities for them to handle or source materials and products.

So far the resource has produced text and fabric based resource guides for the Well Fashioned exhibition, and an Eco Textiles guide for a web-based project at LCF, Materials Collection Online, (2005). The resource has employed administrative assistants and consultants to build the structure and contents with Rebecca, and it has operated an ‘open door’ policy to Chelsea students since 2005. In 2006 large numbers of students and young designers from other UK institutions and organizations have visited, proving that the resource is a unique and valuable facility. The plan is to apply for longer term funding from external sources to allow the resource to develop further and eventually become digitized.