Paper short abstract:

This study explores the nonhuman agencies revealed in felting. These agencies unfold the question of how an understanding of felting contributes to the more-than-human frameworks and discourses, and vice-versa, how more-than-human would effect a practice-based study of felting.

Paper long abstract:

This study explores agencies revealed in feltmaking through more-than-human perspectives. Feltmaking is a traditional and contemporary method of making surfaces, with fibers (usually wool). In the practice-based study, felting is taken as an exploration to have a better understanding of more-than-human influences in craft-design relationships.

While there is a shift in design that includes more-than-human approaches, many examples primarily focus on the technological shifts. I aim to contribute to other relevant and equally crucial frameworks, such as studies focusing on the environment, local knowledges, and post-Anthropocentric studies. This study aims to put in practice how design can shift to a more-than-human era, taking traditional knowledges as relevant intrusions into human-centered design. First I define how posthuman theories can be intrusions in design paradigm to challenge human-centered and Eurocentric frameworks. Drawing from this, I explain a theoretical framework to move to a more-than-human discourse in design, with core theory and intruders concept; acknowledging traditional knowledges as one of the intruders. As an example of how traditional knowledge can be introduced, I introduce a practice-based study that involves craft-design relationship. Through working with fibers and examining the process of wool becoming felt, I explore the relationships between geographies-materials and humans.

Examining the process of wool fibers, I observe their transformation into unrecognizable forms, the artefacts reveal the paradox of extracting materials from nature only to render them as unidentifiable things in design. The exploration highlights the tension and irony inherent in the manipulation of natural elements for creative purposes.