NSCAD alumnus Pedro Loredo (MDes 2023) recently received notice that his thesis ‘Smart Textiles and Autism Spectrum Disorder’ was selected to participate in the 11th Edition of the National Design Biennial, Mexico.
Loredo’s design research project explores how textile design can improve the treatment of individuals with less severe symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), specifically those who have difficulties with social communication and emotional regulation.
Loredo focused on the potential of smart textiles as a non-invasive therapeutic tool, capable of monitoring psychophysiological responses and providing feedback. He developed a prototype that integrates a microcontroller and a four-frame loom to create woven textiles that can sense when a meltdown is developing. He examined how textile design can help with emotional management and enable preventive interventions for people with autism.
“The research contributes to the field of interdisciplinary design by innovatively exploring the integration of textile design with technology. This integration demonstrates how a textile structure can not only collect and process psychophysiological data but also offer personalized solutions that could, in the future, be integrated into garments and accessories worn by the patient.”
The National Design Biennial Mexico aims to contribute to the recognition of the design profession as a generator of well-being, economic, cultural, and productive development. It also seeks to stimulate reflection on the discipline and encourage those training to become designers. Organized by the Ministry of Culture through the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature and the School of Design, the 11th National Design Biennial 2024 will be held in Mexico City.