Vibeweaving translates ethnographic research into computational textile systems. We document traditional weaving, natural dyes, and cultural soundscapes, then map them to algorithmic parameters that generate patterns while respecting material constraints and cultural context.
Three stages transform ethnographic documentation into working Studio tools.
Document traditional practices through photography, audio recording, material sampling, and process observation. Capture color palettes, weaving structures, soundscapes, and fiber specifications with cultural context.
Extract data and translate to computational parameters. Sound frequencies become warp density. Dye progression becomes color diffusion. Traditional structures become algorithmic pattern rules. Validate for material feasibility.
Deploy as interactive preset with attribution, license, and cultural notes. Connect digital patterns to physical editions via QR codes. Archive complete research documentation for preservation and transparency.
Our standard operating procedure transforms raw ethnographic data into computational tools. Each step ensures that generated patterns are both materially feasible and culturally grounded.
Document traditional practices with precision and respect.
Prepare data for computational processing while preserving fidelity.
Transform ethnographic data into parametric weaving rules.
Ensure patterns are structurally sound and culturally appropriate.
Serialize research as interactive presets users can explore.
Connect digital tools to physical outputs and field documentation.
How ethnographic inputs become computational parameters.
| Input | Mapping | Output Parameter |
|---|---|---|
| Sound: Audio energy bands (low/mid/high) | energy → warp density |
Thread count, spacing |
| Sound: Tempo, beat onsets | tempo → weft cadence |
Weave rhythm, repeat length |
| Sound: Spectral centroid | frequency → float length |
Max 7–10 for structural integrity |
| Color: Field photos, dye swatches | K-means → palette |
5–8 color array, LAB space |
| Color: Dye behavior (diffusion, timing) | process → algorithm |
Color blend functions, gradients |
| Pattern: Traditional weave drafts | motif → base structure |
Plain/twill/satin, lift plan |
| Material: Fiber, twist, sett/EPI | specs → constraints |
Float validation, tension limits |
| Climate: Humidity, temperature | conditions → behavior |
Drape prediction, color fastness |
We treat code like cloth: variables stretch, interlock, and resist. Dye teaches diffusion and timing; weaving teaches tension and float limits.
Every digital pattern respects physical constraints, including float limits, thread tension, and the balance between warp and weft. No pattern that cannot be woven.
Dye behavior becomes an algorithm. The oxidation stages of natural indigo map to color diffusion functions. Plant chemistry informs digital palettes.
Traditional knowledge becomes computational rules. Herringbone angles, kilim geometry, and ikat blur are preserved as code.
Digital patterns export to physical production. WIF files for digital looms. Screen printing templates. Every pattern can return to fabric.
Built on p5.js and Web Audio API. Five computational layers process research data into real-time patterns.
Core pattern generation engine. Canvas-based rendering with parametric controls for traditional weave structures.
FFT analysis for frequency→density mapping. Tempo detection for rhythm parameters in audio-reactive patterns.
Hardware-accelerated rendering for complex patterns at high resolution. 60fps visualization with real-time parameter feedback.
Color palette extraction from field photographs. LAB color space conversion for perceptually accurate analysis.
Live performance mode. Map physical knobs and sliders to weave parameters for improvisational textile composition.
Industry-standard Weaving Information File format. Compatible with TC2 digital looms and traditional floor looms.
How the JSON preset translates into visual pattern in real-time. This example uses audio from Jaipur textile markets and colors from Rajasthani indigo workshops.
The herringbone structure visualizes morning market soundscapes from Jaipur’s textile district. Each diagonal band represents a different frequency range: vendor calls in low, footsteps and motorbikes in mid, ambient chatter in high frequencies. The weave rhythm follows the tempo of market activity.
The indigo-dominant palette comes from K-means clustering analysis of traditional Rajasthani indigo vats. Deep blues (#1a1f3a → #748cab) follow natural deepening through multiple dips. Earth tones (#c9715e, #d4a574) reflect mordants and oxidation stages.
Recorded in Jaipur textile market, April 2024, 8:47am. Audio captured with omnidirectional mic at 1.5m height. Indigo swatches scanned under D65 lighting. Traditional vat process: 4 dips, 15 minutes oxidation between dips, iron mordant for color fastness.
WIF for digital looms, SVG for laser cutting, PNG for screen printing. Each export includes metadata: attribution (Vibeweaving · Jaipur, Rajasthan), license (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0), cultural context notes, and QR link to research documentation.
How we preserve cultural knowledge, ensure ethical attribution, and maintain accessible research documentation.
Complete field documentation preserved and accessible:
Cultural knowledge deserves respect, credit, and reciprocity:
Research becomes accessible through interactive exploration:
Available for residencies, research partnerships, and commissions:
All Vibeweaving patterns are licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
View License DetailsOur field documentation method uses drawdown notation, a binary grid system that records warp and weft intersections in traditional textiles. It lets us capture structures from plain weave to complex brocades in a way that preserves cultural context and can be translated into code.
A drawdown is a visual chart of how warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) threads interlace in a woven textile. Each cell in the grid marks a single crossing, the basic unit of any woven structure.
Together, these two states create a simple but powerful language for weaving structures. The grid can be read at the loom by humans and parsed by our software when we generate or analyze patterns.
Traditional textile knowledge often exists only in the hands and memories of practitioners. Drawdown notation creates a permanent, precise record that:
Click cells to see how warp-weft intersections create pattern. This simplified demo shows the documentation principle—our full field tool includes cultural context, audio recordings, and technical specifications.
Drawdown notations captured during ethnographic research. Each pattern includes traditional structure, cultural context, and technical specifications for accurate reproduction and computational analysis.
We're seeking collaboration opportunities with indigenous communities, textile practitioners, and cultural institutions for field documentation.
Open to:
Art residencies • Fellowships • Research partnerships • Community invitations
Thread counts (TPI), float maximums, and structural repeats documented using standardized tools. All measurements verified against physical samples for accuracy.
Colors captured under D65 lighting with calibrated equipment. Hex codes and Pantone references provided for accurate reproduction in Studio and physical production.
Every pattern includes source community credit, traditional names, cultural significance, and reciprocity agreements for any commercial use.
Patterns exported as PNG (visual), SVG (vector), WIF (weaving software), and JSON (computational) for maximum accessibility and preservation.
Our internal research tool captures drawdown notations alongside cultural context, audio documentation, and technical specifications. Currently used for Lab field research and documentation.
Fund ethical fieldwork, fair compensation, and open archives.
Your support sustains independent research, including travel to field sites, honorariums for weavers and translators, compensation for documentation and development work, and preservation of traditional knowledge in open digital archives.
Travel, equipment, recording materials, accommodation in research sites
Direct payments to weavers, translators, and community collaborators for their knowledge
Time for documentation, pattern development, archive maintenance, Studio development
Archive hosting, domain, tools, preservation, keeping Studio free for personal use
We publish detailed quarterly reports showing exactly where funds go. This is independent research, not a registered nonprofit, so contributions aren't tax-deductible. You're directly supporting preservation work.
One-time contributions are welcome. Every contribution, whether $5 or $500, directly supports this work.