Art and fashion come together with technology thanks to Project Primrose by Adobe. With it you can change the design of clothing with just one click, using flexible, low-consumption and non-emissive modular displays.
Primrose creates static or dynamic patterns in any application, including clothes.
Behind Project Primrose is the doctor Christine Dierk, along with TJ Rhodes and Gavin Miller. Its official definition is Reflective light diffusing modules for non-emitting flexible display systems.
Dierk presented his project at the Adobe Max conference, in Los Angeles. The researcher has a PhD in Computer Science from Berkeley, in addition to being an innovative seamstress in the use of materials and patterns.
“Recent advances in smart materials have allowed displays to go beyond flat surfaces and become incorporated into the fabric of everyday life,” the researchers point out. “We propose reflective light diffusing modules for non-emitting flexible display systems.”
Project Primrose uses polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) with reflective backing, an electroactive material commonly used in smart window applications. This material can be cut into any shape and diffuses light dynamically.
During the Adobe Max conference, Dierk wore a piece whose design changed with the push of a button. But previously she also showed a canvas and a bag, all present on the researcher’s website.
“We describe our process of content creation and our modes of interaction. We hope that this work inspires future designers of flexible displays,” they point out in their study.
At the moment, Project Primrose is just a proof of concept. Will it ever be available to consumers and designers? It is possible, but very far in the future.