Syllabus: Kinetic Fabrics ¶

16-376 IDeATe: Kinetic Fabrics

TR 12:00PM-1:50PM

Hunt Library A10 (IDeATe Physical Computing Lab)

https://courses.ideate.cmu.edu/16-376

Instructor: Dr. Garth Zeglin (garthz) (pronouns: he/him/his)

IDeATe Collaborative Course

IDeATe Programs: Soft Technologies, Physical Computing

Prerequisites: none

Course Description ¶

Kinetic Fabrics brings together the fields of textiles and machines to explore their unified creative potential. In this course we will explore the expressive motion of fabric actuated using motors, air, and light by building and choreographing dynamic performative systems. The course emphasizes playful experimentation with soft materials to discover new potentials for meaningful gesture.

Students will learn basic textile skills such as hand and machine sewing to support construction of simple soft structures, using fabrics chosen for their kinetic effect. Students will learn elementary techniques for exploring choreography in actuated systems using a mix of custom and commercial hardware and software.

The semester begins with a series of skill-building exercises, quick samples and experiments, and a review of historical and contemporary precedent work. This develops into group projects which culminate in a public kinetic performance.

Each iteration of the course adopts different performance goals and technical means. Past iterations have included live stage performance, automated winch systems, wearables, hand-cranked mechanisms, programmable air blowers, and long-term public installations.

For Spring 2026, our objective will be a final outdoor performance. The technical means will emphasize manually operated mechanisms in conjunction with air blowers, motors, and lights as passive power sources.

This IDeATe “collaborative” course has no formal prerequisites, but students are expected to have taken one of the IDeATe portal classes. Informally, students will be expected to have some knowledge of either physical computing technology or textile fabrication. The enrollment is limited to 18.

Learning Objectives ¶

Upon completion of this course the students will be able to:

identify and critique makers, works, and genres within the field of kinetic fabric
formulate and discuss artistic questions and goals related to the field
use elementary textile craft to fabricate soft moving structures
create samples and prototypes of kinetic works through playful experimentation
apply an existing actuation system to a fabric structure
compose choreography for a fabric sculpture
collaborate in teams to generate, create, evaluate, and document ideas and projects
document and reflect upon processes and finished assignments

Prerequisite Knowledge ¶

The course has no formal prerequisites because the diverse nature of the student background and breadth of related skills makes it difficult to formulate precise rules.

However, the work expects each student to have junior-level technical skills within their own discipline. In general, this could mean experience with any one of textile craft, mechanical design, animation, or composition. It is not expected that any individual possesses all related skills, and project teams are crafted with skill balance in mind.

Course Structure ¶

The daily agenda and assignment details will be posted to the course site using the individual agenda page for each class meeting. The general plan for the semester is to spend the initial portion on several structured projects focusing on different technical skills, then transition to a longer final project. We begin with a few individual assignments, then each project is developed in pairs.

Weekly Calendar ¶

The day-by-day progress is charted on the Daily Agenda Logbook pages. Following is the general plan.

Weeks	Topics and Project Activities
1-2	contextual exploration, introduction to textiles
3-4	actuation systems
5-7	kinetic sample development, project ideation
8	Spring Break
9	installation storyboarding, proof-of-concept testing
10-11	prototype project design, iteration, fabrication, and assembly
12	prototype performance
13-14	full system iteration, integration and testing
15	public show, documentation, analysis, review and critique

Canvas ¶

The course Canvas site is used only for reporting grades. Details of all assignments can be found under Daily Agenda Logbook and submissions are either in-person or posted as Google docs to the designated location.

Assessment and Grading ¶

This is a hands-on course based on lab exercises and projects. There are no quizzes or exams. Most assignments involve constructing some kind of physical demo, documenting it, and writing a brief reflection.

Everybody is assumed to start with an A in the course. If you do the work you will keep it, but failing to fulfill the expectations will cause you to drift downward. The total grade in the course will be weighted approximately 60% for projects, 30% for exercises, and 10% for classroom participation and discussion. In general, groups will share credit, but individual scores for a project may vary based on peer reports and instructor observations.

The principal forms of assessment will be verbal critique, peer commentary, and self-reflection. Each student in this course begins with different experiences, disposition, and goals. There are many possible objectives in each assignment, e.g. developing a new skill, exploring a narrative concept, or testing a kinetic effect. Different students may choose different emphasis, e.g., one may focus on carefully refining a craft skill or another on testing an novel mechanical idea. The critique will center on the self-chosen goals. Sometimes we all learn more from an ambitious failure than a routine success.

Grading in the course is principally based on the documented evidence of fully engaging with the problems.

Most assignments will be graded either complete or no credit based on fulfilling all the defined objectives for prototyping, documentation, and reflection. Especially good results may earn limited bonus credit.
In general, individual prototypes should meet the physical performance goals. But please note that a well-executed but ultimately unsuccessful idea will still get credit if the failures can be reasonably documented and explained.
Please note if work isn’t documented in photos and video, it didn’t happen; credit is given based on submitted documentation, not hazy memories of an in-person demonstration.
Formal grading is only reviewed and posted at mid-term and the end. Students are expected to submit assignment documentation on an ongoing basis to be available for review, but the hard submission deadlines are actually the last day before Spring Break and the last day of classes.
For team projects, individual scores for a project may vary from the group score based on peer reports and instructor observations.
Please note that unexcused absences may lower your overall grade as per the Attendance policy.

Course Policies ¶

Attendance ¶

Coming to class on time is mandatory. Attendance is recorded for each class and three unexcused absences will cost you 10% of your final grade, with an additional 10% for each successive missed class. If you must be absent, you must request approval in advance. Late requests will be considered on a case by case basis. Unexcused absences during review days will also reduce your individual project grade. We understand that your other courses have big deadlines, but the designated class hours are the most effective time for discussion and communication.

Lateness ¶

Revised for 2026.

Please finish your assignments on time; it is enormously disruptive to in-class reviews when work is incomplete or missing. In general, work which misses the in-class review deadline will not be given a rescheduled review, so you will not receive verbal critique or peer assessment. Late work will be credited for grading purposes based solely on submitted documentation and will not be eligible for bonus credit.

Please remember that something is always better than nothing. If the review is imminent, please bring whatever prototype you have and submit whatever text, images, and drawings you can rather than do nothing.

Health Absence Policy ¶

No one should physically come to class if they are feeling unwell for any reason, whether Covid-19 or something else. Part of the responsibility of each student is respecting the welfare of others.

Please contact your instructor by email prior to class if you are sick. Please consider remote participation (if feasible); the Zoom meeting and password can be found on the office hours doc (login required). Generous allowances will be made after illnesses for renegotiating due dates and expectations.

Academic Integrity ¶

We will be learning new skills in designing and constructing using textile media. As makers, it is fully acceptable to use found materials (patterns, video, images, etc) and to use these materials in creating new works of art/design. When using found materials (patterns, images, video, etc) in your own work there are two requirements:

Attribution. You must clearly identify where the found material came from or who made it.
Transformation. You must significantly transform the materials you are using. You should extend the material, modify it into something new, offer new insight into the concepts underlying the material, etc.

More information on CMU’s Academic Integrity policy can be found at https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/academic-integrity.html

Electronic Devices ¶

The use of devices for non-class activities is strictly prohibited during class time. This especially applies to phones and social media: leave it at home or leave it your pocket.

The instructor reserves the right to confiscate devices without notice. If a persistent problem develops, phones will be banned completely from class.

Class participation is essential for learning and collaboration. An individual engaging with outside distractions has an effect larger than their own attention: it distracts others and diffuses the group focus.

If you feel bored and in need of distraction, then I challenge you to spend that energy instead formulating a question about the material at hand.

Google Shared Drive and Data Retention ¶

Revised for 2026.

The course uses a semi-public Google Shared Drive for submission of assignment documentation. The access permissions allow authenticated university users to read the contents with the intent that your results will be available to future students.

All documents, slideshows, photos, videos, etc. must be stored directly in the Shared Drive, not as links or shortcuts from your personal or student Drive space. This will guarantee persistence when your student account is deleted after graduation.

Please note that although Carnegie Mellon has no stated plan to examine file content, there is no fundamental technical reason this could not change in the future. Please consider all data stored on Google systems as potentially subject to future surveillance. This includes Drive, Mail, Gemini, and all other Google productivity apps.

Generative Artificial Intelligence ¶

New for 2026.

In brief, all uses of generative artificial intelligence (“genAI”) are prohibited in this course.

Generative AI technologies are rapidly evolving and several services are currently available via your student account. They can be hard to avoid since many online services are including AI results by default.

Nevertheless, all uses of generative AI services are prohibited for course activities, including but not limited to online search, text summary, text generation, image generation, language translation, writing assistance, code generation, and program debugging.

In the event you do encounter genAI results you are required to find and read human-written cited sources before using this information for course purposes.

Misuse of genAI results will be treated as unauthorized assistance under the terms of the Carnegie Mellon Academic Integrity Policy.

There are several components to my rationale:

The genAI tools are simply not that relevant to course activities, given that the bulk of our activities focus on exploring the kinetic properties of textiles and designing and constructing physical systems.
You learn a skill through practice, not through observing a result. Relevant skills for this course include reading, writing, critical thinking, and constructive drawing. While genAI can mimic human results in these areas, you will not learn. The process is the whole point; the final result is simply evidence of the process.
These tools are often wrong. These systems offer the allure of results written in an authoritative voice, but this an illusion of competence. Even under the best circumstances no genAI result should be trusted unless it can be independently verified.
These accuracy concerns also apply to automatic translation.
This is not a writing class and you are not being graded on writing quality. It is more informative for me to read your ideas as you express them directly rather than filtered through a machine. Writing is also a process of synthesis and discovery; using language tools may obstruct creative insight.

Please note this is an ongoing discussion, and I welcome questions and feedback on this policy.

Computing Needs ¶

Each student is expected to provide computing resources for individual work. If this requirement constitutes an individual hardship, please contact the instructor.

Our principal use of computing will be using software tools in support of digital fabrication, e.g. designing parts for laser-cutting. The optional course-supported CAD system will be SolidWorks. You will also need support for basic video editing.

Materials and Equipment ¶

IDeATe endeavors to make all needed resources available to students without additional course fees. This class uses the extensive resources of the Physical Computing Lab. Laser-cutting materials are available on request and 3D prints are available for no charge. The class also has a small budget for special final project purchases. Students are also permitted to provide, scavenge, or purchase additional materials for projects. If you find yourself unable to complete the work using the resources at hand, please consult your instructor.

Physical Computing Lab ¶

The designated classroom for the course is the IDeATe Physical Computing Lab in Hunt A10. Students will have access to the lab any time outside of scheduled class times via the ID card reader at the door. Please be courteous and refrain from entering during other classes.

Part of taking this course is joining the IDeATe interdisciplinary community. Students with lab access are expected to be a good community member and take responsibility for sharing resources wisely.

All lab users are expected to abide by the Physical Computing Lab Policies. The lab inventory of components and materials is available online at Physical Computing Lab Inventory. The lab usage schedule is online at IDeATe PhysComp Lab Calendar.

IDeATe Facilities ¶

The course makes use of the IDeATe fabrication facilities and labs in the lower level of Hunt Library, subject to availability and the current IDeATe policies.

IDeATe laser cutters will be available for trained students. Please see the IDeATe Laser Cutters page for current details on qualification. Qualified students will gain long-term access.
The Mosaic 3D printing system will be operating via an online queue for course-related projects. Resin 3D printing will be available on request.
The adjacent library study spaces operate on a reservation-only system.

The IDeATe facilities are shared student resources and spaces. As such, all members of the IDeATe community are expected to be respectful of the equipment, the spaces, and fellow students and their projects. Always clean up after completing your work, put things back in their correct place, and leave the lab in better condition than you found it.

Federal Law Enforcement ¶

New for 2026.

There is currently no expectation the campus or our classroom will be visited by agents from the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), HSI (Homeland Security Investigations), or other federal forces. However, this could change at any point. The following guide is not legal advice but my requested classroom procedure in the event of a visit.

Do not open the door. As a private space, we are not required to allow entry unless presented with a valid judicial search warrant.
Please notify CMU Campus Security at 412-268-2323.
Please record the encounter using audio and video.
Please do not speak to agents. You have the right to remain silent.
If no instructor is present, please announce that the space is private and you do not consent to entry, search or questioning. If agents persist, demand a judicial warrant passed under the door.
Please stay calm and observe closely. Please remain in place, do not interfere, and do not lie or mislead.

For additional details and especially advice for persons without US citizenship, I recommend the following sources:

Individual Support ¶

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities ¶

Updated for 2026.

If you have a disability and require accommodations but do not already have them approved by the Office of Disability Resources, please apply for accommodations through the Application section of the Disability Resources Online Portal. If you already have accommodations approved with Disability Resources, please use the Accommodations Management of the Disability Resources Online Portal to notify me about your accommodations, and discuss your accommodations and needs with me as early in the semester as possible. I will work with you to ensure that accommodations are provided as appropriate.

Respect for Diversity ¶

It is my intent that students from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives be well served by this course, and that the diversity that students bring to this class be viewed as a resource, strength and benefit. It is my intent to present materials and activities that are respectful of diversity: gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and culture. Your suggestions are encouraged and appreciated. Please let me know ways you see to improve equitable treatment of yourself or other students in the course so we can address these questions with clarity.

Student Health and Well-being ¶

Please take care of yourself. Do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle this semester by eating well, exercising, avoiding drugs and alcohol, getting enough sleep and taking some time to relax. This will help you achieve your goals and cope with stress.

If you or anyone you know experiences any academic stress, difficult life events, or feelings like anxiety or depression, we strongly encourage you to seek support. Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) is here to help: call 412-268-2922 and visit https://www.cmu.edu/counseling. Consider reaching out to a friend, faculty or family member you trust for help getting connected to the support that can help.

If you are having difficulty with your coursework, please be aware of the many resources available via the Student Academic Success Center, including coaching, tutoring, communication support, language and cross-cultural support, and supplemental instruction.

Last updated 2026-01-06.