Exploring the Creative Visions of Tomorrow: In-Depth Discussion with Jessica Sams
In the ever-evolving world of design, independent creators are finding a new frontier in the metaverse, a shared, virtual environment that is becoming an area of innovation for fashion and surface design. This digital realm, which persists even after logout, offers a myriad of opportunities for designers to create, monetize, and innovate within the industry.
Jessica Sams, a member of the Textile Design Lab community with a background in UX design, user research, and interactive design, shares her insights on user-centered thinking and strategic tool adoption. According to Jessica, AI tools can act as a responsive assistant, aiding designers in testing colour palettes, brainstorming motifs, or exploring compositions quickly, without being seen as a rival.
One of the key opportunities in the metaverse is the creation of unique digital garments and accessories, or wearables, for avatars. Blockchain technology and smart contracts enable creators to retain ownership and monetize their work transparently, including co-ownership frameworks that empower independent designers economically. Low-poly metaverse platforms, such as Roblox, Sandbox, and Decentraland, are especially appealing for newcomers and independent designers because they are accessible across many devices without needing high-end VR gear.
The metaverse also offers an expansive canvas for surface designers, extending beyond traditional materials like fabric or paper. Some platforms provide tools or templates that simplify the process of creating digital wearables, lowering the barrier to entry. Independent designers can mint and sell these digital creations directly to users on these platforms.
Collaborative and co-creation opportunities are another significant aspect of the metaverse. This environment fosters new forms of artistic expression and shared ownership of designs, encouraging partnerships between designers, developers, and users. The metaverse also provides opportunities for customization, storytelling, and personal expression through design.
NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are another tool that independent designers can leverage. These unique files, recorded on a blockchain, can be a legal document, admission ticket, or artwork. NFTs are expanding beyond digital art and are being used for provenance in physical goods, as access passes to virtual and real-world communities, and as a new infrastructure for royalties and resale rights. Independent brands can use NFTs to offer exclusive digital fashion pieces, creating collectible items that enhance brand value and foster community engagement in the metaverse economy.
As the metaverse continues to evolve, future developments in augmented and mixed reality may allow wearables designed for virtual spaces to project into real-world environments, expanding the scope of surface and fashion design. This trend opens pathways for independent designers to gain visibility and credibility by aligning with or establishing digital couture brands.
The Textile Design Lab's Summer of Creativity program aims to help pattern designers navigate the intersection of traditional creativity and modern tools, providing valuable resources for those looking to explore the metaverse. As the opportunities within this digital realm continue to expand, it's clear that the future of fashion and surface design is as limitless as the imagination of its creators.
[1] https://www.texturedesignlab.com/blog/opportunities-independent-designers-metaverse [2] https://www.texturedesignlab.com/blog/metaverse-opportunities-low-poly-platforms [3] https://www.texturedesignlab.com/blog/metaverse-opportunities-collaboration-and-co-creation [4] https://www.texturedesignlab.com/blog/metaverse-opportunities-nfts-and-digital-fashion-houses
Technology, such as AI tools and blockchain, acts as a responsive assistant for designers in the metaverse, aiding them in exploring compositions, creating digital wearables, and even monetizing their work. Independent designers can leverage NFTs to offer exclusive digital fashion pieces, thereby enhancing brand value and engaging the metaverse community.
