Teaching is a reflective and on-going process. In facing the emerging technologies today, one may find that they are rapidly changing
the way we live and communicate.
They are also impacting the way
young talents learn new knowledge and skills.
In the rapidly changing industry,
it is also important to encourage
reflective and critical thinking in
students' problem-solving and design approaches.
Interdisciplinary Design Collaboration
An interdisciplinary collaboration between apparel and interior design undergraduate students. Engineered prints were developed based on indigenous culture and applied in both wearable and home decor products. OptiTex, a 2D/3D CAD/CAD program with 3D simulation, was applied in evaluating digital prints in 3D virtual space.
Learning goal: Students learn to work in team environment and evaluate digital textile designs in products beyond their disciplines.
Co-teaching outcome sponsored by OptiTex
Photo credit: Lushan Sun, Rebecca Schneider
Digital Design Presentations
Undergraduate student digital repeat textile design
Undergraduate student engineered textile design
Undergraduate student apparel collection design
Computer-aided design applications for undergraduate students in conceptualizing collection, textile design, and developing spec pack.
Learning goal: Students learn to apply 2D CAD programs in croquis, garment, and textile rendering. Through reflecting upon their personal aesthetics, students also enhance their skills in developing a balanced composition in presenting various collections.
Design credit: Erin William, Abby Griffin, Rebecca Schneider, Amelia Cox, Davis Bryd, Mary Grier
Reflective Design Practices
Reflective design practice for undergraduate students in design conceptualization, design prototyping, and ePortfolio design and professional development.
Learning goal: Students learn to document the design process and reflective thinking using methods like mind mapping. Such an approach allows students to be more conscious of their design workflows and strategies. Contents and artefacts developed in a design journal are used as a critical portfolio element.
Design credit: Mary Grier, Rebecca Schneider, Alexa Womack
Photo credit: Lushan Sun
"I really believe that portfolio taught me the 'why' behind everything I created and it also really instilled me the ability to present my work and myself professionally. Dr. Sun did an exceptional job of making us present our work. I really think being confident in your designs is what gives you assertiveness in this field." --Alumnus
"Dr. Sun has done an exceptional job gearing this critical portfolio course towards industry expectations, while successfully integrating the SLO's of the University's ePortfolio Project within the course." --Colleague
Dr. Sun "always pushes us in draping and portfolio and I'm so grateful for that." --Undergraduate student
Dr. Sun "really enjoys teaching the class [fashion aesthetics] and understands the information she is teaching and is always well prepared."
--Undergraduate student
"I'm so grateful for the personal investment Dr. Sun has made in me and my professional development as a designer!"
--Undergraduate student
"Dr. Sun is a truly reflective and involved educator, who uses a variety of approaches related to applied, active, and reflective learning in her classes to enhance the learning outcomes of her students."
--Colleague
Design Research Applying Emerging Technologies
 Smooth DynamicGraduate student research collaboration Assistive glove designed for wheel chair user Technology: 3D modeling & FDM 3D printing Material: Knit & Specialty Nylon (3D printing) |  Smooth Dynamic detail |  Hybrid Comfort3D Printing Method: FDM Material: TPU |
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 CIRCUitS back viewGraduate student research collaboration LED lighting integration in couture beading embellishment for custom |  CIRCUitS back detail |  Bridal Wear |
Creative scholarship developments for graduate students. They focus on emerging technology (e.g. 3D printing) integration in the wearable product of different contexts.
Learning goal: Graduate students learn to apply design research methods in developing research questions, technology applications, and data analysis.
Design credit: Tianyu Cui, Jenny Leigh DuPuis, Tashina Walp, Lushan Sun
Photo credit: Tianyu Cui, Jenny Leigh DuPuis, Greg Curry
Sustainable and Surface Design
 Upcycled Men's JacketUndergraduate student sustainable design exploration |  Upcycled Men's JacketUndergraduate student sustainable design exploration |
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 Convertible EnsembleUndergraduate student sustainable design exploration |  Convertible EnsembleUndergraduate student sustainable design exploration |
 Knit CoatUndergraduate sustainable design exploration Technique: minimal seam design with pleating Knit: Wool Blend |  Knit CoatUndergraduate sustainable design exploration Technique: minimal seam design with pleating Knit: Wool Blend |
 Modern OverallUndergraduate student sustainable design exploration Technique: Upcycling vintage midi dress. |  Modern OverallUndergraduate student sustainable design exploration Technique: Upcycling vintage midi dress. |
 Boys Athleisure EnsembleUndergraduate surface design exploration Technique: iron-on textile design Fabric: Cotton knit |  Upcycled CoatUndergraduate student sustainable design exploration Technique: upcycling Material: antique quilt |
 Ethereal Malitia back detailUndergraduate sustainable design exploration Technique: upcycling uniform patch |  Ethereal MalitiaUndergraduate sustainable design exploration Technique: upcycling uniform patch |
 Shaping FemininityUndergraduate lingerie/body suit design exploration Technique: lingerie seam finishing and contour |  Shaping Femininity front detail |
 ArachnaphiliaUndergraduate surface design exploration Technique: Free motion stitching |  Arachnaphilia front detailUndergraduate surface design exploration Technique: Free motion stitching |
Design explorations for undergraduate students in sustainable, surface design, and special market category using woven, knit and non-woven materials.
Learning goal: Students learn to develop designs and prototypes through research and value-added design elements and approaches.
Design credit: Emma Riegle, Abby Jardine, Caroline Collier, Rachael Wolfe, Mary Grier,
Christine Cameron, Alaundra Shealey
Photo credit: Caroline Collier, Gregory Curry, Katie Gardner
TEACHING EXPERIENCES
Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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International Fashion and Textile Design (MA Bilingual)
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Final Year Project (BA)
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Fashion Design (BA)
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Digital Fashion Presentation (BA)
Consumer & Design Sciences, Auburn University, US
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Portfolio Development for Apparel Designer (BS)
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CAD for Apparel Design (BS)
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Apparel Product Development-Patternmaking/Draping (BS)
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Fashion Aesthetics (BS)
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Course Development: Advanced Design-Digital Fabrication in Wearable Products (BS/MS) & Special Topics: Design Research Methods (Ph.D.)
Textile & Apparel Management, University of Missouri, US
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Digital Textile & Apparel Application
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Textile & Apparel Presentation Techniques
Apparel, Textiles & Interior Design, Kansas State University, US
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GTA: Apparel Production I (Introductory construction) (2010-2011)
Graduate Advising
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1 Ph.D. (Chief advisor: ongoing)
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1 Ph.D. (Co-major advisor: completed)
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1 M.S. (Major advisor: completed)
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2 M.S. (committee member)
SKILLS/TECHNOLOGIES TAUGHT
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3D CAD: Optitex (CAD/CAM for patternmaking with 3D simulation), Rhino, Fusion 360, 3Ds Max, Google Sketchup, parametric design & NetFabb
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2D CAD: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
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Equipment: TC2 3D body scanning system, 3D printer (Fuse Deposition Modeling)
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Presentation techniques (non-digital/digital media): Fashion illustration, Technical flat development, Presentation board for line development, Trend analysis, Spec pack development
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Surface design: Digital textile printing (applying repeat & engineered prints), Chinese traditional embroidery (Su Xiu), Natural dye and physical resist dyeing techniques (Shibori)
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Apparel construction: Patternmaking, Draping, Industrial/home machine sewing